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White Wings Vol I. Fifty Years Of Sail In The New Zealand Trade, 1850 TO 1900

Wanganui (Or Blenheim)

page 293

Wanganui (Or Blenheim).

Under Two Flags.

the Wanganui, one of the last ships built for the New Zealand Shipping Co., did not make any record trips, but she made better average runs to the several ports than many other ships built for the Company. Her best passage was to Lyttelton in 1878, under Captain Watt. This was accomplished in 80 days, port to port. Her next best run, of 84 days, was to Port Chalmers, under Captain Watt, in 1879, two
the Wanganui. Afterwards Re-named The Blenheim.

the Wanganui. Afterwards Re-named The Blenheim.

years after she was launched. the Wanganui was a vessel of 1077 tons, built by A. Stephens and Co., Glasgow, in 1877. She ran until about 1889 under the Company's flag, and was then sold to the Shaw-Savill Company. Re-named the Blenheim, she remained in the New Zealand trade until 1899, her last run occupying 122 days from Liverpool. Captain Colville, who had been in command of the Blenheim for six complete voyages, stated on arrival in Wellington in 1899 (her last trip): "It has been the most wearisome voyage I have experienced for many years—violent weather throughout."

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.