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HOLMDALE (1961)
Service dates: 1961-1971
Official number: 302812
Shipping lines: HOLM STEAMSHIP COMPANY
Ship type:
General Cargo Ship.
Career
- 29.06.1961
- Launched.
- 11.1961
- Completed as Holmdale for the Holm Shipping Company Ltd.
- 01.1962
- Delivered at New Zealand and entered service.
- 04.1967
- Sailed from Onehunga for Rarotonga to begin new shipping service between New Zealand and Cook Islands.
- 31.12.1971
- The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company sold their interest in the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand to Tasman Union Ltd (Holm Shipping Company Ltd was their subsidiary) therefore the vessel was no longer in Group service.
- 03.1972
- Management transferred to the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand.
- 10.05.1972
- On passage from Dunedin to Wanganui, she was struck on starboard beam by a huge breaking sea. The builder’s nameplate was ripped off the forepart of the Bridge, the starboard life belt rack was demolished, No.4 winch cab was bent and three cars on the freezer hatch were damaged by the weight of the water.
- 1974
- Taken on long-term charter by the Department of Internal Affairs (a New Zealand Government department).
- 06.1976
- Went to Suva, Fiji to do a couple of coastal runs.
- 1981
- Ownership transferred to the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand, but retained her Holm Shipping Company colours.
- 1990
- Her charter with the Department of Internal Affairs ended.
- 28.09.1990
- Placed on the sale market.
- 10.01.1991
- Sold to Captain Tom Culhane of Celtic Pacific Shipping Ltd, Auckland, and renamed Celtic Kiwi.
- 27.10.1991
- At about 1300hrs, she developed a 5 degree list to starboard and despite transferring some fuel and ballast from starboard to port, the list slowly increased. At 1917hrs the ship was reported abandoned.
- 28.10.1991
- The yacht Rock Steady rescued all 13 crew members who were then landed at Opua in the Bay of Islands on the 30th. The Celtic Kiwi finally sank in position 31°55’S-170°57’E. A subsequent inquiry came to the conclusion that the ship had suffered a major rupture to the hull, and as she was heavily laden at the time, it was though that the stress on her 30-year old hull may have been too much.