M.V. Wairua's screw after positioning 2002. |
S.S./M.V. Wairua |
Name Meaning: Spirit Type: Screw Steamer, later Motor Vessel Propulsion: 1 Screw in Tunnel Year Built: 1904 (The Waiora & Wairua are twins) Builder: Yarrow & Co. Poplar London Dimensions: Length 65ft, Beam 8ft, Depth 3ft 3in (As built) Gross Tons: 9.6 (As built) Registered Tons: 7.2 (As built) Machinery: 1 Steam/ Simpson, Strickland & Co. 66 IHP 1 Thornycroft Oil 70 BHP (As converted to Motor in 1913, various engines since) Section Of River: Pipiriki to Houseboat Fate: The Wairua was taken out of service in September 1937. It was then used as a fender for the Waione to prevent it from getting stuck in the mud at Hatrick's Wharf. The Wairua continued this job until the Waione was sold and the river service came to an end. It lay there deserted until it eventually sank into the mud in the early 1960's. But the Wairua was not allowed to rest for long, in 1987 it's hull was salvaged from the river for restoration by four Wanganui locals. After nearly 20 years of work, the Wairua was launched back onto the Whanganui River on the 3rd of March 2006. |
Below are photos of S.S./M.V. Wairua, click on them to see the enlarged version. |
M.V. Wairua's stern during restoration 2000. |
M.V. Wairua after its conversion to motor. |
S.S. Wairua steaming up river early 1910's. |
S.S. Wairua & Waiora being assembled 1904. |
M.V. Wairua during restoration mid 2000. |
M.V. Wairua nearing completion in Jan 2002. |
M.V. Wairua's name on the stern in Jan 2003. |
M.V. Wairua after its launch, 3rd March 2006. |
M.V. Wairua nearing completion at mooring. |
M.V. Wairua at Aramoho Bridge 14th Oct 2006. |
M.V. Wairua in Steam vs Sinew race 14th Oct 2006. |
