S.S. Ohura at Pipiriki wharf around 1898. |
S.S./M.V. Ohura |
Name Meaning: Tributary River, 46Km south of Taumarunui Type: Screw Steamer, later Motor Vessel Propulsion: 2 Screws, each in a tunnel Year Built: 1897 Builder: Simpson, Strickland & Co. Dartmouth Dimensions: Length 86ft 4in, Beam 12ft 3in, Depth 4ft 2in (As built) Gross Tons: 50.2 (As built) Registered Tons: 34.14 (As built) Machinery: 2-Steam/Yarrow & Co. 180 IHP (As built) 2 Thornycroft, total 150 BHP (As converted to motor in 1924) Section Of River: Wanganui to Pipiriki Fate: On 6th May 1940 the Ohura tragically over turned on the treacherous Ngaporo Rapid. The cargo of cattle and sheep had panicked and all shifted to one side of the boat causing a great list which resulted in the capsizing of the vessel after the sheep followed the cattle. Three men lost their lives on that day and the very badly damaged remains of the Ohura were given to B. Bullock & Co of Wanganui to be used as a barge, but it later sank into the mud at Bullock's wharf in the 1950's where it rests to this day. |
Below are photos of S.S./M.V. Ohura, click them to see the enlarged version. |
S.S. Ohura servicing a landing mid 1930's. |
S.S. Ohura on Hatricks slipway late 1900's. |
S.S. Ohura on a 'men only' picnic 1920's. |
S.S. Ohura at an upriver landing 1920's. |
M.V. Ohura after being righted in May 1940. |
S.S. Ohura steaming upriver mid 1920's. |
M.V. Ohura overturned, Ngaporo rapid 1940. |
