WAIANA (1937)

Service dates: 1837-1966

Shipping lines: UNION STEAM SHIP COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND

Ship type:

• Cargo Ship

General Cargo Liner.

Career

14.07.1965

Launched by Mrs Fergus McFarlane, wife of the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand's Managing Director. Her launch was delayed due to the builder’s precarious financial situation. Finally, money from the Royal Bank of Scotland was used to finish her.

12.06.1966

Ran trials and delivered as Wahine to the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand. She was the largest express steamer yet built for the service.

20.06.1966

Left Greenock.

01.08.1966

Entered the Wellington/Lyttelton overnight express service.

09.04.1968

Left Lyttelton.

10.04.1968

Caught in cyclone Giselle and was blown aground on Barretts Head at the entrance to Wellington harbour. Aboard were 727 passengers, 65 cars, mail and cargo. The rising tide lifted her off and both anchors were dropped. The ship had lost a propeller and was holed and taking in water. Nevertheless Captain H G Robertson coaxed her through Chaffers Passage into the harbour, all motive power now being lost. Union’s tug Tapuhi put a line aboard but this broke and in the raging winds and sea the tug could not get another to connect. Wahine decided to sit out the storm just inside the harbour entrance. Just as winds were abating, the ship suddenly commenced to list to port and abandon ship was ordered. Only the starboard lifeboats could be launched and one capsized in the surging seas. The loaded boats brought survivors ashore at Seatoun Beach but many, in life jackets, in the water were washed across the harbour and landed on the rocky coast where the surging surf killed many. 51 died including four crew, while 680 were rescued. The ship later fell onto her side in 11.58m (38.0ft) of water on the edge of the shipping channel. The Harbour Commissioners ordered Union Steam Ship Company to remove the Wahine. She was declared a total loss and plans to cut away the superstructure and then refloat the hull were put in hand by United Salvage Pty Ltd, Melbourne.

05.1969

Another storm hit the ship and the hull broke in two and then split further. The wreck had to be broken up ‘in situ’.

10.04.1993

A memorial to the 51 dead was unveiled on Seatoun Beach near the site of the wreck. It was made from ventilation pipes, an anchor and chain from the ship. Her fore-mast now stands in the Frank Kitts Park at Wellington as a memorial for those who died.

Ship technical details (PDF)