White Wings Vol I. Fifty Years Of Sail In The New Zealand Trade, 1850 TO 1900
Wanganui (Or Blenheim)
Wanganui (Or Blenheim).
Under Two Flags.
the Blenheim on her return to London was sold to the Norwegians.
Mr. H. Hubbard, at present employed by the Union Steamship Co., entered the service of the N.Z. Shipping Co. in 1879 as an apprentice on the Wairoa, and in 1884 joined the Wanganui at Auckland as chief steward, and made two trips in that vessel. He states: "After discharging our outward cargo in 1884 we were sent to Napier to load for London, and were lying in Hawke's Bay for over three months. On two occasions the ship had to weigh anchor and run out to sea for several days, during strong southerly gales. We experienced very bad weather on the voyage Home, which occupied ll5 days. I sailed again in the Wanganui from London in June, 1887. We were detained some days after being ready for sea owing to a fire breaking out on board the Orari, which was lying alongside us. She was also ready forpage 294 sea, and should have sailed by the some tide as the Wanganui. All hands were engaged during the night in assisting to quell the fire until the dock fire brigade arrived. All the passengers were on board, and naturally much concerned about their personal belongings. Some of the Orari's wreckage fell on our decks. When we eventually sailed the Wanganui had a fair run until after rounding the Cape, when she encountered hard westerlies. On one occasion heavy seas broke on board and stove in the forward deck house, smashing the starboard bulwarks and the galley, during which two seamen and the cook were severely injured. After discharging cargo at Wellington we were towed to Picton by the steamer Moa, and were detained there for over two months. We took in a large number of sheep, and returned to Wellington, sailing from that port four days after the ill-fated Marlborough. the Halcione was also at Picton, and we were informed that the Wanganui and Halcione were the first two large ships to load cargo for Home. On arrival at London the Wanganui was sold and renamed the Blenheim. I was then transferred to the Orari, and sailed for Wellington in 1889."
The figurehead of the Wanganui was carved to represent Mrs. Coster, wife of the chairman of the Company in New Zealand.
Here follows the record of passages outwards:—
To Auckland. | |||
Sailed. | Arrived. | Captain. | Days. |
---|---|---|---|
Aug. 7 | Nov. 7, '80 | Watt | 92 |
May 3 | Aug. 26, '84 | Adams | 115 |
June 18 | Sep. 17, '85 | Adams | 90 |
*Dec. 5 '90 | Mar. 3, '91 | Colville | 85 |
To Wellington. | |||
July 29 | Nov. 8, '82 | Watt | 102 |
April 22 | Aug. 12, '86 | Adams | 112 |
June 6 | Sep. 22, '87 | Watt | 108 |
*Mar 5 | June 18, '92 | Colville | 105 |
*Sep, 2 | Dec. 8, '93 | Colville | 97 |
*Sep. 22, '98 | Jan. 23, '99 | Colville | 122 |
To Lyttelton. | |||
Mar. 20 | July 1, '77 | Watt | 103 |
Nov. 25, '77 | Feb. 13, '78 | Watt | 80 |
July 22 | Nov. 4, '81 | Watt | 105 |
Aug. 20 | Nov. 24, '83 | Adams | 96 |
To Port Chalmers. | |||
Oct. 1 | Dec. 30, '78 | watt | 89 |
Sep. 5 | Dec. 6, '79 | Watt | 84 |
*Aug. 19 | Dec. 10, '94 | Colville | 110 |
*Sep. 16, '96 | Jan. 5, '97 | Colville | 102 |
*Oct. 12, '97 | Feb. 2, '98 | Colville | 101 |
* Denotes passages made by this ship under the name Blenheim.