User:Johnragla/Union Steamship fleet list

added Alarm, Albion, Aparima, Arawata, Armagh, Australia, Balls Head, Beautiful Star, Bellinger, Boojum, Bruce, Brunner, Corrina, Fijian, Flora, Gabriella, Glenelg, Haupiri, Hawea, Herald, Hero, Ilma, Janet Nicoll, Kahika, Kahika, Kaiapoi, Kaimai, Kaikorai, Kakapo, Kaimanawa, Kaimiro, Kairanga, Kaitangata, Kaitawa, Kaitoa, Kaitoke, Kaituna, Kaiwarra, Kakapo, Kakariki, Kalingo, Kamo, Kanieri, Kama, Kamona, Kanna, Kaponga, Karaka, Karamu, Karepo, Karetu, Karitane, Karoon, Karori Kartigi, Katea, Katui, Karu, Kauri, Kawaroa, Kawatiri, Kawerau, Kekerangu, Kia Ora, Kini, Kittawa, Kiwitea, Kokiri, Komata, Konini, Konui, Koonya, Koraki, Koranui, Koromiko, Korowai, Kotuku, Kowhai, Kumalla, Kurow, Kurutai, Lady Bird, Laira, Leitrim, Limerick, Manawatu, Mangana, Manuka, Mapourika, Mararoa, Matua, Mawhera, Miowera, Moura, Moa, Moana, Moeraki, Mokoia, Moreton, Nelson, Ngahere, Ngakuta, Ngapara, Ngatoro, Niagara, Omana, Omapere, Oonah, Opihi, Oreti, Orowaiti, Ovalau, Paloona, Pateena, Phoebe, Poherua, Poolta, Port Waikato, Pukaki, Rakanoa, Ringarooma, Risdon, Rosamond, Roscommon, Rotokino, Rotorua, Samson, Seaway Princess,Seaway King, Seaway Prince, Seaway Queen, Squall, Sussex, Suva, Taiaroa, Takapuna, Tamahine. Taranaki, Tarawera, Taveuni, Taviuni, Tofua, Tuatea, Tyrone, Underwood, Union South Pacific, Waihemo, Waihi, Waikare, Waikawa, Waikouaiti, Waimate, Waimea, Waipiata, Wairimu, Wairuna, Waitaki, Wanaka, Wellington, Westmeath, Waimarino, Waiotapu, Waipahi, Wairata, Waitomo, Waitotara, Wingatui, detail of Maori

* article to link

Often the quoted sources show differing dimensions. For example MV Komata is shown in one source as 359.5ft long, in another as 344.4ft and, in a newspaper report of the launching, as 335ft.

In 1917 Union resurrected 2 barques, Dartford, Gladbrook and Ilma, a former steamer, due to war losses. Union lost 8 ships:

Avenger, 15,000 tons, sunk in North Sea on June 13, 1917, while acting as an auxiliary cruiser.

Wairuna, 4.237 tons, sunk by raider Wolf on June 3, 1917, off Sunday Island while on a voyage from Auckland to San Francisco. Limerick, 6,827 tons, torpedoed in Ægean Sea on June 14. 1917. She was formerly Rippingham Grange.

Roscommon 7,031 tons, torpedoed off Tory Island on August 21, 1917.

Waikawa, 5.666 tons. torpedoed off Dartmouth on October 19, 1917. Formerly Schlesien, sold as a war prize to the Maritime Company for about £60.000 and purchased a few months later by Union.

Aparima, 5,704 tons, torpedoed in English Channel early in November, 1917. She was one of the finest cargo vessels in the company's fleet, and carried nearly 40 cadets.

Waihemo. 4.286, tons, torpedoed in Mediterranean March 17, 1918.

Waitemata, 5.423 tons, torpedoed in Mediterranean July 14, 1918.

Westmeath cargo steamer was torpedoed in the English Channel on July 15, 1917, but, the captain managed to get the vessel safely to an English port, where she was repaired.

Waitotara (4.417 tons) cargo steamer was burnt at sea on June 17, 1917, en route from Vancouver to Auckland.

Maitai, passenger steamer employed for many years in the coastal, intercolonial, and San Francisco services, was wrecked on a reef at Rarotonga on December 25, 1916.

Koonya in the Tasmania-Sydney trade for many years, was wrecked at Sandy Cape, Tasmania, on June 3, 1919, during a, heavy storm.

steamers sold:

Pukaki, 1,444 tons, April, 1915, to W. Crossley & Co., Melbourne.

Hauroto, 1,988 tons. April, 1915. to Lane & Dawson, Sydney.

Aorangi, 4,268 tons, June, 1915, to Imperial Government.

Manapouri, 2,060 tons, June. 1915, to a Japanese firm.

Warrimoo. 3.529 tons, February, 1917, to a Chinese firm.

Moura, 2,027 tons, September. 1915, to Lane & Dawson.

gross tonnage lost during the war through enemy action, wreck, and fire was about 63,084 tons.

Before the close of the war Union bought for the Pacific trade:

Avenger built in 1914, launched in June 1915.

Wairuna, 5,832 gross tons, formerly known as Polestar, purchased in March 1919.

Waitemata, 5.729 gross tons, purchased in February 1919, while on the stocks.

Waikawa, 5.677 gross tons formerly known as the War Dragon, one of the standardised British Government ships built during the war, purchased in May, 1919.

Waihemo, 5.627 gross tons purchased in May, 1919.

Kaiwarra, 3.051 gross tons built in 1919, and delivered in July.

Leitrim, 9,540 tons gross. Built 1915, launched October 1915; trials, 22 January 1916; maiden voyage to Melbourne, July 1916.

Armagh, 12,269 tons gross. launched in April 1917; transferred from Federal Steam Navigation Company to Union, January, 1918.

1919-20 purchases from Maoriland Steamship -

Kokiri (formerly Lauderdale)

Kahika (formerly Ennerdale)

Karu (formerly Holmdale).

LATEST PURCHASES 8 more cargo steamers

Waiotapu, ex Stolberg, 5,886 tons.

Waikouaiti, ex Irmgard, 3,680 tons.

Kawatiri, ex Shahristan, 3,127 tons.

Kaikorai, ex Cape Natal, 3,112 tons.

Kaitoke, ex Cape Colony, 3,096 tons.

Kekerangu, ex Cosmos, 3,091 tons.

Kaimanawa, ex John Heidmann, 2,380 tons.

Koranui, ex Cleopatra, 1,215 tons.

In July, 1914 Union had 74 passenger and cargo steamers (225,512 tons), 3 steamers building (37,000 tons) and chartered Willochra (7,784 tons) a total of 270,296 tons. 11 steamers were replaced by 15 cargo steamers of 73,312 tons, an increase of 10,228 tons on the tonnage lost. At the end of 1920 Union had 28 passenger and 51 cargo steamers of 256,789 tons, 13,507 tons less than in 1914 as many were smaller than those lost.

Willochra was chartered from Adelaide Steamship Company before the war for the intercolonial service and taken over as a troopship shortly after war started. She was then refitted at Port Chalmers, and her last trip from New Zealand was repatriating a large number of Germans.

OIL-BURNING LINERS. With the experience of Niagara, which always burned oil fuel, saving engine room stokers and with no need to slow down when cleaning fires, Union decided to convert

Maunganui after trooping was converted at Port Chalmers to use oil in 1920.

Tahiti left Vancouver on 20 December 1920 for Honolulu, Wellington, and Sydney and with Maunganui resumed the pre-war Sydney-Wellington-San Francisco mail and passenger service, which had been terminating at Wellington.

Makura at San Francisco, left Vancouver on 17 December for Auckland and Sydney.

Adderley was converted from a coal to an oil hulk at Wellington and an oil depot was built at Ball's Head, Sydney. Union owned a tank farm at Miramar.

NEW TYPE OF CARGO STEAMER W. Denny & Bros about 5,000 tons, similar to 3 motor passenger liners built for British-India Steam Navigation Company, except purely as a cargo ship, with engine room amidships, 3 cargo holds forward, 2 aft, 8 cylinder (26½in diameter, and 47in stroke), 97 rpm, 2,330 b.h.p. North British Diesel Engine Works for the New Zealand-UK trade. 450 ft x 58ft x 27ft 10in.

Name	Built	In service	Gross tonnage	Notes
Alarm	1854	1877–1910	195 GT	Brig, built at Grand River, Prince Edward Island, 94.8 x 21.3 x 14.2, July 1855 Bideford, 1858 Sydney, Hobart, 1864 Newcastle, April 1877 Union as a wooden coal hulk at Dunedin, in use by August 1877, scrapped at Port Chalmers in 1910.
SS Albion	1863	1878–1883	668 GT	Iron steamer launched on 24/12/1863 for Albion Shipping Co, (Robert Henderson & James Galbraith managers) Glasgow registered 11/02/1864 218.3 ft x 27.2 ft x 15.5 ft Simple 2cyl (44 x 29in) 180nhp engine by Greenock Foundry Company 1 screw. 17/01/1866 Otago Steam Navigation Co, Dunedin. 1871 McMeckan & Blackwood (Blue Emu Line), Melbourne, one of 4 (Arawata, Ringarooma and Tararua) of their ships bought in 1878 by Union. In 1883 she was sold to James C Ellis, Newcastle and Joseph Mitchell (Ellis Line), Sydney and in 1888 rebuilt by Mort's Dock & Engineering Co at Sydney with new engine and boilers T3cyl 180nhp 14"23"36"x30" Muir & Houston, Glasgow; passengers 50 x 1st, 150 x 2nd 1889 CENTENNIAL 23/08/1889 collided with collier Kanahooka (386grt/1883) off Bradley Point, Sydney (Sydney for Wellington, wool, coals and general cargo). All passengers (54) and 30 crew rescued, but 2 crew crushed. Master held responsible. Scuttled off Turakirae Head 9 September 1913.
SS Aorangi (1883)	1883	1883–1915	4,163 GT	Sunk 10 August 1915 at Scapa Flow
MV Aorangi (1924)	1924	1924–1953	17,491 GT	Arrived 25 July 1953 at Clydeside for breaking up
SS Aotearoa	1915	1915	15,300 GT	Launched in June 1915 by Fairfield, sunk as HMS Avenger in the North Sea on 13 June 1917.
SS Aparima	1902	1902–1917	5,704 GT	Launched on 24 February 1902 by W Denny & Brothers, Dumbarton for Union 430 ft x 52.3 ft. x 39.6 ft Twin T3cyl 20",32½",53"x48", 284nhp 11kn, 2-screw 17 1st class and 77 2nd class passengers. On her maiden voyage she carried horses from Hungary for the Boer War. She mainly served on the New Zealand-Calcutta route, and was used as a training ship for officers. She was used as a troopship in World War I; HMNZT 19 (from 14 Feb 1915), HMNZT 26 (from 13 Jun 1915), HMNZT 32 (from 9 Oct 1915), HMNZT 46 (from 29 Feb 1916), HMNZT 61 (from 18 Aug 1916), and HMNZT 76 (from 16 Feb 1917). She was torpedoed and sunk by UB-40 when 6 miles SW by W of Anvil Point, in position 50-29N X 58-30W on ballast passage from London to Barry with 56 lost on 19 November 1917.
TSS Arahura	1905	1905–1926	1,607 GT
SS Arawata	1875	1878–1928	1,098 GT	Iron cargo steamer launched on 8 June 1875 by Thomas Wingate & Co, Whiteinch for McMeckan, Blackwood & Co., Melbourne 245.4 ft x 30.1 ft x 14.2 ft 15k C2cyl, 300hp, 1 screw, bought in 1878 by Union (see Albion) 1897 laid up as a store ship at Wellington, then used as a coal hulk until 13/01/1927, when ss Devon bumped into her at Kaiwharawhara, she sprang a leak, and was blown up on 26 January 1928.
SS Armagh photo	1917	1917–1923	12,269 GT	A steel, passenger and refrigerated cargo steamer, launched on 23 April 1917 by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd, Wallsend for Union, 530.5 x 63 x 39.9ft, 4 x Steam turbines, DR geared, 1719nhp by Wallsend Slipway Co Ltd, Wallsend, 2 screws, 16knots, funnel and masts were telescopic for navigation on the Manchester Ship Canal, 15/12/1923: broke her back on Taylors Bank, at the mouth of the Mersey, whilst leaving Liverpool en route to Brisbane with general cargo, 3 passengers and 5 stowaways.
SS Atua	1906	1906–1926	3,444 GT	Built by David J Dunlop. Sold to Khedivial Mail in 1926.
SS Australia	1884	1886–1899	459 GT	A steel, cargo steamer launched on 26 April 1884 by Burrell & Son, Lower Woodyard, Dumbarton for John Macfarlane, Glasgow, 150.4 ft x 26.1 ft x 15.6 ft, 2 x 2-cylinder (16, 30 x 22in) compound engine by Matthew Paul & Co, Dumbarton, 77nhp, 2 screw, sold to Union in 1886, for New Zealand coast routes, transferred to Tasmanian west coast about 1896, wrecked 19 April 1899, at West Point, near entrance to Arthur River, en route from Launceston to Strahan.
SS Awatea	1936	1936–1942	13,482 GT	Trans Tasman liner, sunk in 1942, as HMT Awatea
SS Balls Head	1911	1921–1932	1,658 GT	A cargo steamer completed in September 1911 by G Seebeck AG, Geestemunde as Hilde-Hugo Stinnes for H. Stinnes, Mulheim, 76.23m x 11.61m x 5.46m, triple-expansion engine, 900 ihp, 1 screw, 10 knots, 1919 taken by The Shipping Controller as war reparations, assigned in 1921 to Coal & Bunkering Co, Sydney, but managed by Union and renamed Balls Head, 1932 laid up. 1933 sold to Tung An SS Co, Shanghai, renamed Tung Foo. 1938 sunk during the 2nd Sino-Japanese War.
SS Banks Peninsula	1889	1890–1891	171 GT	Cargo ship built by Grangemouth, renamed Waitangi by NSS in 1896, 1923 wrecked at Pātea River mouth, part of the ship is still on the beach.
SS Beautiful Star	1862	1867–1900	156 GT	An iron ship, launched on 19 December 1861 by J Wigham Richardson, Neptune yard, Low Walker and completed on 20 January 1862, for £3401 3s 1d, the shipyard losing £151 3s 1d on the contract. Her 2-cylinder (18 & 18 x 13ins), 30nhp engines by J Thompson & Co, Newcastle, cost £990 and allowed her to steam at up to 8.5 knots. She was 119.1 x 17.1 x 10.5ft. On 22 January 1862 Broomfield & Whitaker registered her at Newcastle. On her 1862 London to Tasmania delivery voyage she carried salmon eggs in fresh water trays for an acclimatisation society, but the ova died from the rough 142 day voyage, due to failure of refrigeration and rust and varnish poisoning. She ran as a collier between Bellambi and Sydney, until 1863, when she was bought to ship the gun boat Koheroa (see below) and coal from Sydney to Waikato and then also the Rangiriri (see below). She then served Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Dunedin-west coast, was reported as Dunedin owned in March 1867 and registered in Dunedin in 1867 for Union and by 1874 Dunedin Harbour Steam Co. In 1900 she returned to Tasmania with Thomas Nichols of Hobart. She had been laid up at the Domain Slip, Hobart, for some time, when a fire burnt her out on 25 December 1907. The hulk was beached and abandoned at New Town Bay, where it was visible until covered by road works in the 1960s.
SS Bellinger	1884	1896–1897	225 GT	Launched on 12 August 1884 by J. McArthur & Co, Paisley. 1897 sold to NSS, renamed Muritai. 27 May 1908 wrecked with no casualties on Lady Alice Island in a fog.
SS Boojum	1880	1880–1887	38 GT	An iron, passenger tender at Napier, built by William Denny & Bros, Leven Yard, Dumbarton for Union and Boojum wrecked on Petane Beach shipped for assembly at Port Chalmers, Like Snark, the name was from Lewis Carroll's nonsense poem, The Hunting of the Snark. 70.0 ft x 13.0 ft x 5.8 ft, 2cyl by Kemp & Hume, Glasgow, 12nhp, 1 screw, 11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph), May 1881 ran into and sank the steam launch Sir Donald at Napier, wrecked on Napier beach on 11 May 1887, in a gale, with 4 crew drowned, when the sailing ship Northumberland was drifting ashore.
SS Brunner	1888	1888–1905	540 GT	1900 sold to Laidley & Co, Sydney. Steel cargo steamer launched on 12/03/1888 by J McArthur & Co, Thistle Yard, Paisley for 30/08/1888 Brunner Coal Company, 172.7 ft x 26.1 ft x 13.1 ft, 95nhp, T3cyl (17, 27, 43 x 30in) by Bow, McLachlan & Co. Ltd, Paisley, 1 screw, 1888 Union, 1905 Loo Tom Fin, Sydney, 1913 On Chong & Co, Sydney, wrecked 22/05/1915 on the northwest of Abemama, en route from Tarawa to Nonouti. A Court decided there was no evidence to show blame for the wreck.
SS Corinna	1882	1891–1930	1,271 GT	Launched 5 April 1882 by D & W Henderson & Co, Meadowside, as an tron cargo steamer for Tasmanian Steam Navigation Co (TSNC), which Union took over in May 1891. for New Zealand coastal service 235.6 ft x 32.4 ft x 21.0 ft, 1 screw, 2-cylinder (27", 54" x 42") compound, 158nhp, 1892 transferred to Sydney-Launceston route, she was stranded many times - on 28.11.1896 at Nelson, 7.09.1897 at Timaru, 21.11.1905 and 5.08.1915 at Wellington and 20.06.1923 at Dunedin, 28.11.1898 on fire at Westport, 3.07.1906 collided with Pondo at Wellington, 17.07.1921, 28.10.1922 and 13.08.1924 hit Wellington wharf, 21.11.1929 collided with a launch at Lyttelton. 3 January 1930 laid up at Wellington. September 1930 scrapped at Wellington and scuttled 5nm SE Turakirae Heads on 8 November 1930.
Dartford	1877	1908–1921	1,327 GT	Dartford was a 67 m (221.5 ft) long, iron barque, built by Mountsey & Foster, South Dock, Sunderland. In March 1908 Union bought her as a cadet ship for 12 cadets at Lyttelton, increased to 36 in 1911. She was converted to a coal hulk at Wellington in 1914. In 1917, she was converted at Port Chalmers back to a barque for New Zealand-Australia-America service, due to wartime shipping shortages, but again laid up in Auckland Harbour as a hulk in 1921. She was scrapped and then beached in Boulder Bay on Rangitoto Island on 25 July 1946.
SS Dingadee	1883	1890–1900	640 GT	Collier built by Royal Victoria Dock, bought from Australasian Steam, sold to Blackball Coal Co, scrapped 1925
Esk		1877–1904	415 GT	Barque 113.1 x 26.9 x 19.5, used as a coal hulk at Dunedin by August 1877, scrapped at Dunedin 1904.
SS Fijian	1886	1889	987 GT	Steel passenger (24), cargo steamer, launched on 21/04/1886 by Palmers' Shipbuilding & Iron Co Ltd, Jarrow for G W Nicoll & Co, Sydney, 215.0 x 30.2 x 15.2ft, T3cyl (18.5, 31 & 49 x 36ins), 130nhp, 1 screw, 1889 sold to Union, 13/05/1889 wrecked on Tanna Island, en route from Melbourne to Vanuatu.
SS Flinders	1878	1891–1900	640 GT	Built by A & J Inglis for TSNC, which Union took over in May 1891, sold to McIlwraith, McEacharn and in 1907 to Adelaide Steamship, hulked in 1911 after fire damage and beached on 4 September 1931 at Garden Island Ships Graveyard, where she remains.
SS Flora	1882	1891–1944	1,273 GT	15 April 1882 launched by Earle’s Shipbuilding, Hull, 76.44m x 9.81m x 5.06m (16.6ft), with a 213 nhp compound engine, single screw, for Bailey & Leetham's Scandinavian trade. November 1882 collided with a Norwegian barque in the Humber. Accommodation for 30 1st, 20 2nd class. 1884 sold to TSNC for their Hobart/Melbourne route. Taken over for that route on 1 April 1891, when Union acquired TSNC, though she often went to Rarotonga for fruit and was being used for Dunedin-Lyttelton-Wellington runs from August 1893. 21 October 1896 collided with Wakatipu at Barretts Reef. 2 August 1906 collided with Batman steam hopper barge at the end of Coode Canal. October 1925 laid up at Auckland. June 1927 converted to an oil barge. 1.12.1944 scuttled off Great Barrier Island.
SS Gabriella	1920	1930–1952	1,587 GT	Cargo steamer laid down in 1914, but war delayed her completion by Antwerp Engineering, Hoboken for Handel Scheepvaart, Ostend (G Vendesompel, manager) until May 1920, 76.81m x 11.64m x 5.30m, triple-expansion steam engine by North East Marine Engineering Company, Newcastle, 207 nhp, 1 screw, 10 knots, 1922 Gabriella SS Co, Sydney (R S Lamb Mgrs), 19.02.1930 Union took over R.S. Lamb & Co, served as a West Coast collier, 1.11.1950 laid up at Wellington, 4.02.1952 sold to Mrs E J Chandris, Piraeus, together with Karetu, Wingatui, Omana, Poolta, and Kaimai, renamed Dora Chandris, 1955 to Santa Kyriaki Nav Ltda, Puerto Limon, renamed Capetan Coastas, 1959 scrapped by Sidiremboriki Ltd, Piraeus, in St George’s Bay.
Gladbrook	1877	1911–1945	1,112 GT	An iron, coal hulk, 214.4 ft (65.3 m) x 35.2 ft (10.7 m) x 21.2 ft (6.5 m), launched on 26 April 1877 at R & J Evans yard, Liverpool as County of Anglesea for W Thomas & Co, Liverpool, 1905 sold to O Pettersen and V Gustafson, Mariehamn. 1911 bought by Union, converted to a hulk, able to hold 2,000 tons of coal, and renamed Gladbrook. In 1918 she was re-rigged as a barque at Port Chalmers, due to post war shipping shortages, and sailed to San Francisco, but in 1921 was hulked again for use at Suva, in 1924 moved to Auckland, stripped and, on 19 December 1945, beached on Rangitoto Island. She was replaced as a hulk by Helen Denny.
SS Glenelg File:StateLibQld 1 160711 Glenelg (ship).jpg	1875	1896–1898	218 GT	Launched on 22 January 1875 by Aitken & Mansel (1863-1890), Jordanvale for Alexander Lang Elder, London. Cargo  iron screw steamer 185.8 ft x 21.1 ft x 11.3 ft, 2x C2cy (15" & 30" x 21") by Rait & Lindsay, Glasgow. 8½ knots 80nhp, twin screw, 24 May 1875 first southbound ship to pass through the new Suez Canal. 1875 Elder, Smith & Co, Adelaide. 1881 William Wells, Adelaide. Initially based at Port Adelaide as passenger/cargo tug/tender. Later on coastal services. 1882 Thomas Hessleton, Sydney, then Port Jackson Steamship Co Ltd. 1891 E T Miles & Partners, Hobart. 1892 T A Reynolds & Co, Hobart. 1896 Union. 1898 J B & A J Ellerker, G Carpenter & C H Jackson, Melbourne. Wrecked 25 March 1900 en route Bairnsdale, Metung and Cunninghame (Lakes Entrance) to Melbourne with wool and light poles, lost stern hull plates in a storm and sank off 90-Mile Beach. All 25 or so passengers and 13 crew lost, 3 survived. Wreck discovered 2009.
SS Grafton	1854	1885–1898	548 GT	Built by Laird at Birkenhead, as an iron paddle steamer 100hp, 140.9 x 22.3 x 10.6, taken over by Union with Black Diamond Line in 1885. She was re-built in New Zealand in 1877, as a twin-screw steamer, with a 2-cylinder (18" & 34") engine. In 1885 she was enlarged to 173 x 27.6 x 13.6, 123hp, and had new boilers. 1898 wrecked on the bar at Port Macquarie.
SS Haupiri Photo	1885	1896–1915	748 GT	Launched as Richmond on 25 May 1885 by Gourlay Brothers & Co, Camperdown, Dundee for George Nicoll, Sydney, 178 ft (54 m) x 27.7 ft (8.4 m) x 17.5 ft (5.3 m). C.2cyl. (23 & 46 - 36in) 88rhp. 1 screw. 1887 sold to Donald & Edenborough, Auckland. 1896 to Union, who renamed her Haupiri, 1915 sold to Sun Shipping Co., London and renamed Sunland. In 1919 to Eastern Shipping Agents Ltd., London, then Thomas C. Tucker, London, in 1920 to M. C. Stamatopoulos Fils, Piraeus and renamed Margarita. 6 February 1921 sank off Milos en route from Piraeus to Crete.
MV Hauraki	1921	1921–1942	7,112 GT	Refrigerated, steel, cargo, William Denny & Bros' first large motor ship, launched on 28/11/1921 from Leven Yard, Dumbarton for Union, 450.3 ft x 58.2 ft x 31.4 ft x 28.6 ft, 2xOil engine 4S.C.SA. 8Cyl.by North British Diesel Engine Works Ltd., Whiteinch, 1085NHP, 2 screws, 12.5 knots, 1940 taken over by MOWT, captured on 12 July 1942 by Aikoku Maru and Hokoku Maru at 17.32S - 80.25E off Sri Lanka, en route from Fremantle to Colombo, renamed Hoki Maru, 17/02/1944 sunk by Operation Hailstone en route from Tokohama to Truk with coal and military stores.
SS Hauroto	1882	1882–1915	1,988 GT	A steel, single screw steamer launched on 31 August 1882 for Union by William Denny & Bros, 284.8 ft (86.8 m) x 36.3 ft (11.1 m) x 22.6 ft (6.9 m), with a 2-cylinder (38 & 68 - 45in), 250 hp (190 kW) compound engine. On 1 January 1889 she damaged King Arthur in Hobsons Bay. In 1915 she was sold to Carmichael & Clarke, Hong Kong and in 1917 to a related company, Hauroto SS Co. Ltd. She left Saigon on 26 July 1919, but never reached Hong Kong and was posted missing in a typhoon. Some wreckage was found near the Paracels.
SS Hawea	1875	1875–1888	721 GT	Launched 17 February 1875 and completed 1 April 1875 by William Denny & Bros, Dumbarton for Union. Hawea, a sister ship of Taupo, was an iron, single screw, 2 masted steamer, 215.7 ft (65.7 m) x 27.3 ft (8.3 m) x 14.1 ft (4.3 m), with a 2-cylinder, 160nhp engine, driving her at up to 11 kn (20 km/h; 13 mph). In 1875 she was the first Union ship to visit Picton, later being used on the Lyttelton-Wellington-Picton-Nelson-New Plymouth-Onehunga service. On 30 March 1886 she ran aground off Nelson, but was refloated on the next day's tide. She was wrecked on 12 June 1888 near New Plymouth. The wreck was removed by dredging in 1925.
SS Hawea	1897	1897–1908	1,758 GT	A steel, single screw steamer launched on 20 November 1896 for Union by Archibald McMillan & Son, Dumbarton, 260 ft (79 m) x 36.1 ft (11.0 m) x 22.8 ft (6.9 m), with a 3-cylinder (17, 28, 45½ x 42in), 134 hp (100 kW) engine by Denny & Co. On 30 October 1908, as she left Greymouth, she probably hit the bottom in heavy waves on the bar and was wrecked on the north breakwater. Her remains were blown up in March 1909.
MV Hawea	1967	1967–1976	2,926 GT	Roll-on/roll-off cargo ship launched 12.07.1967 by Taikoo Dockyard & Engineering Co of Hong Kong Ltd for Union Auckland-Wellington-Lyttelton-Dunedin, 111.64m x 17.06m x 10.82m, draught 4.968m, 8,000 bhp 2 x 10-cylinder 2 SCSA diesels by British Polar Engines Ltd, Glasgow, 2 screw, 16.5 knots, cargo capacity 5,932 cubic metres (209,500 cubic feet), 1976 sold to New Zealand Ministry of Transport, Wellington (The Shipping Corporation of New Zealand Ltd, Wellington, managers) to replace Rangatira and renamed Coastal Ranger, March 1979 due to a drop in trade, sold to Faros Maritime Co SA, Monrovia (Seaways Shipping & Trading Co SA, Piraeus, managers) and renamed Iniochos Express II, 1984 to Seastar Navigation Co Ltd, 16.06.1985 to Brodospas and towed from Piraeus on 18 June 1985 for scrap at Split.
Helen Denny	1866	1934–1948	734 GT	An iron, sailing ship, 187.5 ft (57.2 m) x 31.2 ft (9.5 m) x 19.1 ft (5.8 m), launched on 8 November 1866 by Robert Duncan & Co, for Albion Shipping for the UK-Burma run, but by 1872 was running between Port Glasgow and Auckland. In 1874 she was reduced from full rigging to a barque and in 1882 Albion merged to form Shaw, Savill & Albion Line. In 1896 she was sold to Ferdinand Holm, Wellington and in 1913 to Paparoa Coal Co as a coal hulk. In 1934 Waimarino towed her from Wellington to Lyttleton. In 1946 she was towed to Auckland. On 27 April 1848 she was scuttled off Cuvier Island, being the last of Auckland's coal hulks.
SS Herald	1884	1900–1905	573 GT	Iron, cargo steamer launched on 23/07/1884, one of 26 ships built by Pearce Brothers, Dundee, for Charles Burrell Stone, Auckland, 172.0 ft x 28.2 ft x 13.3 ft, C.2cyl. (23 & 45 - 30in), 85rhp, costing about £12,000. By July 1900 Union owned her and in March 1905 she was sold to S. Yamashita, Hakodate, renamed Rensho Maru, 1932 Matsuura Shizuo, Fuchi, renamed Matsu Maru, 1934 Tai Kong S. S. Co., Chefoo, China, renamed Tai Kong, sank October 1935 near Qinhuangdao.
Hero	1861	1883–1891	985 GT	Hero was 224.3 ft (68.4 m) x 29.2 ft (8.9 m) x 15.7 ft (4.8 m), 150 hp (110 kW), 3-masted screw steamer, launched in March 1861 by Earle's Shipbuilding for the Hull–Trondheim service of Thomas Wilson & Co. Ltd. She was a sold for use by the Confederate States of America, to run the blockade between Nassau and Charleston, until she ran aground on 23 June 1862, near Fort Moultrie. She probably ran the blockade to Charleston again, before Black Ball Line, Liverpool bought her in 1863. She was sold to Bright Bros, arriving at Melbourne, via Cape Town on 18 September 1863, after leaving Liverpool on 22 July, the wheel having been broken and cabins inundated by a cyclone on the way. Her 2 engines used 17 tons of coal a day to run at 11.5 knots (21.3 km/h; 13.2 mph). Her saloon was described as somewhat superior, very capacious, well ventilated and accommodating about 40 passengers. In 1873 she was sold to Grice, Sumner & Co, Melbourne and in 1878 to Union for the Auckland-Sydney route. She was laid up at Sydney until 1891, when she went to La Societe Le Nickel, Nouméa for use as a hulk. She was wrecked in a hurricane at Kouaoua on 22 January 1901.
TEV Hinemoa	1946	1947–1967	6,911 GT	The steamer was 419.3 ft (127.8 m) x 58.2 ft (17.7 m) x 24.7 ft (7.5 m), launched on 30 May 1946 (tenders had been sought in 1939) by Vickers-Armstrong Ltd for Union's Wellington-Lyttelton Inter-island express, serving the railway pier at Lyttelton. Her 2 steam turbines powered 13,000 hp (9,700 kW) British Thomson-Houston electric motors and twin screws, at up to 22 kn (41 km/h; 25 mph), with up to 82 cars and 921 passengers. After fitting out at Birkenhead, she went to Greenock, left there on 21 December 1946, with 90 passengers and arrived at Wellington on 26 January 1947. Her first trip to Lyttelton was on 10 February, replacing Wahine. Cabins were charged for by position, rather than the ship being divided into 1st and 2nd class sections. A rough crossing was reported a week after her maiden voyage and in 1950 a gale damaged her bridge, broke several saloon windows and she was again 8 hours late. She was replaced by Wahine from 23 August 1966, as she could not be readily converted to a ro-ro ferry. She was laid up at Wellington. In October 1966, though US President Lyndon Johnson stayed at Government House, she was used as a hotel ship for journalists. On 23 August 1967 she was sold to Hydro Tasmania for power and accommodation at Bell Bay and renamed George H Evans. Rain soon ended the drought and in 1969 she was sold to Hamersley Ore for power at Dampier. After a new power station opened, she was moored offshore. During Cyclone Glynis, in January 1970, she broke her moorings. On 12 February 1971 Fuji Marden & Co Ltd, Hong Kong, bought her and she was towed in March by the tug Salvonia and scrapped.
SS Ilma	1885	1920–1937	327 GT	Steel cargo schooner launched on 25/12/1885 by Grangemouth Dockyard Company, Grangemouth for A/S Ilma - F. Klem, Christiania, 145.8 ft x 27 ft x 11.1 ft By 1895 British & Mexican Shipping Co. Ltd. - Wm. C. Jarvis, Liverpool, 1903 George T. Nicol, Auckland, 1904 E. J. Crisp, Gisborne, 1907 George T. Nicol, 1910 E. D. Pike, Sydney, 1915 James H. Edwards, Newtown, Hobart, 1911 hulked at Hobart, 1917 re-rigged as a barquentine by Union at Auckland for several voyages, before returning to a coal hulk in 1918, 1920 at Hobart, 1922 coal hulk at Wellington, 2/02/1937 blown up and sunk in Cook Strait.
SS Janet Nicoll	1884	1890–1903	779 GT	Iron cargo ship launched on 12 July 1884 by Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company, Jarrow for GW Nicoll, Sydney. 184.0 x 29.2 x 13.8ft, C2cyl (23 & 44 x 33ins), 90nhp, 1 screw 1890 sold to Henderson & MacFarlane, Auckland, Robert Louis Stevenson's trip from Sydney to Niutao and other islands in April 1890 was published as The Cruise of the Janet Nichol, 1890 to Union, 1903 to Koe Guan, Penang. 1907 to Eastern Shipping Co Ltd. Wrecked on 10 May 1914 at Kopah Inlet, Takuapa en route from Penang to Moulmein with tin & ore.
SS Kahika	1902	1915–1933	1,148 GT	Steel cargo steamer launched as Ennerdale on 27/03/1902 by Ailsa Shipbuilding Co. Ltd, Troon for Robert Simpson, Whitehaven, who died on 20/12/1906, 230.3 ft x 33.7 ft x 16.1 ft, T3cyl (17, 28, 45 x 33in), by Muir & Houston Ltd., Glasgow, 98nhp, 9.5kn. 1 screw, 11/03/1907 Ferdinand Holm, Wellington, 21/01/1908 Maoriland Steamship Co. Ltd. (C. McArthur, manager). 2/07/1915 Union took over Maoriland SS Co and renamed her Kahika, 1933 laid up. Scrapped and hull scuttled beside Otago Heads mole on 4/12/1933.
MV Kahika	1938	1937–1940	1,537 GT	Steel, cargo, motor ship launched on 17/12/1937 by Henry Robb Ltd, Victoria, Leith for Union, 252 ft x 45.1 ft x 13.4 ft, Oil 2SA 2 x 4cyl (340 x 570mm), by British Auxiliaries Ltd., Glasgow, 250nhp, 2 screws, 16 March 1940 wrecked on an uncharted rock off West Point, near entrance to Arthur River, en route from Strahan to Melbourne with iron pyrites. A court found no blame and recommended better mapping and lights.
SS Kaiapoi	1906	1906–1930	2,003 GT	Launched on 20 August 1906 as Holywood by Osbourne, Graham & Co, Sunderland for France Fenwick & Co. 85.19m x 12.22m x 5.52m, triple-expansion engine by North East Marine Engineering Co, Sunderland 194 nhp, Single screw, 9 knots, 1906 sold to Union and renamed Kaiapoi, 1930 sold to Kin Hong Steamship Co, Hong Kong. 1.01.1939 to Wallem & Co, Hong Kong and put under the Panamanian flag. 25.01.1939 en route from Shanghai to Wenzhou, she struck rocks in Wenzhou Bay and sank.
MV Kaiapoi	1949	1949–1968	2,485 GT	Freighter 267.6 ft (81.6 m) x 41.5 ft (12.6 m) x 17.8 ft (5.4 m), launched on 16 March 1949 by Henry Robb at Leith for Union's east coast routes, powered by a 1,500 hp (1,100 kW) 5-cylinder 2 SCSA Sulzer diesel engine by George Clark & NEM (Sunderland) and a single screw, at up to 11.5 kn (21.3 km/h; 13.2 mph), 93.08m x 13.10m x 5.97m (19.6ft), draught 5.334m (17.5ft), 2 x 5-cylinder 2 SCSA by British Polar Diesels Ltd 1,450 ihp Twin screw 10 knots, 31.01.1950 collision with Leicester, 4.10.1950 struck the wharf, both at Auckland. 1968 sold to E-K Litonjua Steamship Co Inc, Manila and renamed Eddie K L, 3.1973 sold to Continental Shipbreaking Co Ltd, Hong Kong, and scrapped at Junk Bay.
SS Kaikorai	1918	1920–1948	3,151 GT	Steel, collier, steamer launched as War Foam on 20, or 28/01/1918 by William Gray & Co. Ltd., West Hartlepool for The Shipping Controller (G. B. Harland & Co.), London, 331.2 ft x 46.7 ft x 23.2 ft, triple-expansion (25, 41, 68 x 48in), by Central Marine Engineering Works, 430nhp, 2,183 ihp 1 screw 11.5 knots, 16.05.1918 British African Shipping & Coaling Company, London, renamed Cape Natal (G B Harland & Co, West Hartlepool, managers), 20 October 1920 sold to Union, 6.07.1921 renamed Kaikorai, October 1947 laid up at Port Chalmers, 1948 sold to Hwah Lee Steamship Company, Shanghai, 1949 Purple Star Steamship Company, Panama, April 1949 Lloyd’s classification lost due to reported defects, 1950 to Grande Shipping Corporation, Panama, 1952 Purple Star, 1955 renamed Chung Hsing 7, 1968 last entry in Lloyd’s Register, probably scrapped in the 1950s.
MV Kaimai	1956	1956–1972	2,007 GT	Freighter 267.6 ft (81.6 m) x 41.5 ft (12.6 m) x 17.8 ft (5.4 m), launched on 8 June 1956 by Henry Robb at Leith for Union's east coast routes, powered by a 1,500 hp (1,100 kW) 5-cylinder 2 SCSA Sulzer diesel engine by George Clark & NEM (Sunderland) and a single screw, at up to 11.5 kn (21.3 km/h; 13.2 mph), a photo indicates she had 3 masts. 1972 sold to Lineng Enterprises SA, Panama (Kie Hock Shiipping (1971) Pte Ltd, Singapore, managers) and renamed Meladju. 1977 to Tay Chye Chuan, Port Kelang (Kie Gwan Shipping M Sdn Bhd, Port Kelang, managers). 1978 to Kamarado Sendirian Berhad, Labaun. 1980 to Walek Sdn Bhd, Port Kelang (Kie Gwan Shipping M Sdn Bhd, Port Kelang, managers) and renamed Kita. 1980 to Paisi Shipping SA, Singapore, and renamed Sanua. 1986 renamed Paisi. 24 June 1987 arrived at Sattahip for scrapping.
SS Kaimanawa	1909	1920–1934	2,416 GT	Collier launched on 6.03.1909 as Heidmann by Flensburger Schiffsbau Gesellschaft, Flensburg, for H W Heidmann, Hamburg, merged with Hugo Stinnes, Mulheim in 1918, 97.53m x 12.80m x 5.79m, triple-expansion engine, 1,300 ihp, 1 screw, 10 knots, 1919 war reparations The Shipping Controller (J Cormack & Co, London, managers), 20 October 1920 sold to Union, renamed Kaimanawa, 10.10.1924 damage to machinery at Newcastle, 17.02.1926 hit Auckland wharf, 1.07.1931 laid up at Auckland, 1933 sold to Miyachi KKK, Kobe, 12.01.1934 towed to Kobe by Komata, sold to An Kwea Hung, Chefoo, renamed Lee An, 1937 to An Kwea Feng, Chefoo, 1941 to Nitto Kogyo KK, Tokyo, renamed Nitto Maru, 7.03.1943 sunk by colliding with destroyer Namikaze near Omaezaki (Cape Omae), (34.33N 138.44E).
MV Kaimanawa	1944	1944–1966	2,577 GT	Steel cargo steamer launched on 11/03/1944 by Henry Robb Ltd, Victoria, Leith, for Union, 294 ft 10 in x 45 ft 3 in x 19 ft 6 in, T3cyl (16.5, 28.5, 48 x 36in), by North Eastern Marine Engineering Co. (1938) Ltd., Wallsend 1 screw, 1966 sold to A. P. Madrigal S..S. Co, Manila, renamed Rosa Anna, 15/01/1967 grounded on Sibulan Island, refloated same day, but condemned and scrapped at Hong Kong by Wo Hing Co in July 1967.
SS Kaimiro	1929	1929–1954	2,562 GT	SIster ship to Karepo. Self trimming colliers used for coal, timber and bulk cargo. 284.7 ft (86.8 m) x 46.3 ft (14.1 m) x 18.4 ft (5.6 m), 3 holds, 6 hatches and 12 winches, launched on 19/09/1929 by Cammell Laird & Co. Ltd, Birkenhead for Union's east coast routes, powered by a 340 hp (250 kW) T3cyl (20, 33.5, 55 x 39in) engine aft, 1 screw, at up to 11 kn (20 km/h; 13 mph), 13.10.1936 collided with Kapuni at Westport, on 12.04.1949 with Pukeko at Whangārei and on 10.05.1950 with Humphrey at Auckland. 28 May 1942 lost an anchor off Napier. 6.12.1944 broke a shaft off North Cape. Helped salvage Greek steamer Kotor from a beach near North Cape on 27 June 1944 28.02.1948 stranded in the Buller River and April 1948 and 24 March 1950 at Whangārei. 9.10.1952 laid up, 1954 sold to R W Miller & Co Pty, Sydney, and renamed Branxton. Her masts and derricks were removed. 4.06.1969 to Goldfields Metal Traders, Fremantle and delivered to Sydney to be scrapped, but 12 May 1970 towed by Nullagine to Hong Kong, arrived 21 June 1970 for scrapping by Ming Hing & Co.
MV Kaimiro	1956	1956–1975	3,722 GT	Pulp paper carrier 345.4 ft (105.3 m) x 50.5 ft (15.4 m) x 22.4 ft (6.8 m), launched on 26 January 1956 by Alexander Stephen & Sons Ltd, Kelvinhaugh, Govan Linthouse for Union's east coast routes, powered by a 1,500 hp (1,100 kW) 6-cylinder (600 x 1040)mm 2SA Sulzer diesel engine by George Clark & NEM (Sunderland) and a single screw, at up to 10.5 kn (19.4 km/h; 12.1 mph), she lost her propeller off North Cape in December 1944, 1975 - 1981 1975 Maldives Shipping Ltd., Male and renamed Climax Topaz 1975 Climax Shipping Corporation, Panama 1981 to Maldives flag and renamed Maldive Topaz. On 5 May 1984 she arrived at Gadani ship breaking yard for breaking.
SS Kairanga Kairanga, with which Empire Star collided in Sydney Harbour in 1940	1922	1924–1956	2,830 GT	Launched by 23 June 1922, as Saint Dominique, by Livingstone & Cooper Ltd, Hessle, for Societe Navale de l’Ouest, Paris, for the French wine trade. As there was another ship with that name, she became Saint Rominique, having been sold to Forth Shipbuilding & Engineering Co (1921) Ltd, Alloa. 98.90m x 13.44m x 7.07m, triple-expansion steam engine by G T Grey & Co Ltd Sunderland 1,200 ihp Single screw 9.5 knots. Cargo capacity 5,762 cubic metres (203,500 cubic feet). 10.1924 sold to Union for east coast routes and renamed Kairanga. 4.12.1925 stranded at Port Stephen. 23.09.1938 caught fire at Auckland. She was one of the first Union vessels converted to oil. Collided with Empire Star at Sydney on 7 March 1940 with bow damage and the death of a crew member. A court said it was not possible establish different angles of fault, so liability was apportioned equally. 1956 renamed Amelia when sold for £50,000 to Teh Hu Steamship Company, Hong Kong. She was registered at Panama and operated by Cia de Nav Victoria Neptuno SA. 1967 scrapped by Fuji Marden & Co, Hong Kong.
SS Kaitangata	1907	1908–1930	1,981 GT	Steel, collier, steamer launched as Ladywood on 10/09/1907 by Osbourne, Graham & Co., North Hylton for William, France, Fenwick & Co. Ltd, London, 279.5 ft x 40.2 ft x 18.1 ft, T3cyl (20.5, 33 & 54 x 39in), by George Clark Ltd, 198nhp, 1 screw, 1908 Union, 1930 Ling Nam S.S. Co. Ltd. - Williamson & Co, Hong Kong, 25/10/1937 sank after an explosion in 21.40N- 112.00E, 180 miles SW of Hong Kong en route from there to Haiphong with gasoline.
MV Kaitangata	1948	1948–1968	2,485 GT	Freighter 305.4 ft (93.1 m) x 43.6 ft (13.3 m) x 17.6 ft (5.4 m), launched on 27 January 1948 by Henry Robb at Leith for Union's east coast routes, powered by a British Polar oil engine 2SA 2 x 5cyl (340 x 570mm), 2 screws. 1968 sold to Maritime (Liberia) Inc, Monrovia, renamed Paladin, 1969, renamed Karana III, 1974 to Oportuno Navigation SA, Panama, renamed Tung Pao, 1978 to Syarikat Perkapalan Pacific Selatan Sdn. Bhd, Labuan, renamed Gembira, 5 April 1983 arrived at Bangkok for scrapping by Thai Viroj Company.
MV Kaitawa	1949	1949–1966	2,485 GT	Collier built by Henry Robb. Wrecked on Pandora Bank ( about 4 nmi (7.4 km; 4.6 mi) SSW of Cape Maria van Diemen) on 24 May 1966 with loss of all 29 crew. No cause for the wreck was found.
MV Kaitoa	1956	1956–1972	2,583 GT	1st of 3 sister ships (Kaimai, Konini). 28/02/1956 05/1956 Henry Robb 443 307 ft 10 in 43 ft 7 in 17 ft 5 in, British Polar Engines Ltd, Glasgow Oil 2SA 2 x 6cyl (340 x 570mm), 2 screws, 1972 Lineng Enterprises S.A., Panama Katoa, 1976 Syarikat Perkapalan Meladju Sdn. Bhd., Labuan, 1978 Independent Airlines (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Labuan, 1979 Kie Gwan Shipping (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Labuan Hati Baik, 1981 Independent Airlines (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Labuan, 18/07/1992 arrived at Singapore for breaking by National Shipbreakers Pte. Ltd.
SS Kaitoke	1918	1920–1935	8,106 GT	Launched on 1918.09.05 as a general cargo ship by Sir Raylton Dixon & Co., Middlesbrough, Cleveland Dockyard, 147.3 m x 18.1 m. 1918 Named War Palace; The Shipping Controller (Japp, Hatch & Co.), London, 1919 renamed Cape Colony; British Africa Shipping & Coaling Co. Ltd. (Mitchell Cotts & Co.), London, 20 October 1920 sold to Union, renamed Kaitoke, 1935 renamed Kong Ho; Fan Shien Ho, Tsingtao, 1937 renamed Tai Yang; Chou Jen Chen, Tsingtao, 1938 renamed Seitai Maru; Sakamoto Shoji K.K., Osaka, 20 August 1943 torpedoed and sunk by USS Plunger 41.43N 139.55E off Hokkaido
MV Kaitoke	1948	1948–1972	3,551 GT	Freighter one of 5 similar ships (Kawaroa, Komata, Koromiko, Waimate) 105.21 m (345.2 ft) x 15.24 m (50.0 ft) x 7.92 m (26.0 ft), launched on 27 February 1948 by Alexander Stephen for Union's east coast routes, powered by a 2,410 hp (1,800 kW) 6-cylinder 2 SCSA diesel engine and 1 screw, at up to 11.25 kn (20.84 km/h; 12.95 mph), 14.03.1950 collision with Port Auckland at Auckland. 1972 sold to Cronulla Cia. Naviera S.A., Panama - Jaguar Shipping Corp., Hong Kong Singapore, 1975 to Ioansun S.A. - D. Fosteris & V. Maltezos, Piraeus and renamed Venus, 1974 to Cia Nav Kaohsiung SA, Panama (Sam U Shipping Co Ltd, Hong Kong, managers), 1977 renamed Mars, 20.09.1978 aground at Tarifa Point, Spain en route from Casablanca to Ravenna, 11.11.1978 laid up at Chalkis, 9.11.1980 to Trimimar Shipping & Trading and arrived at Eleusis for scrapping.
SS Kaituna	1904	1905–1931	1,977 GT	Built by: Osbourne Graham & Company, Sunderland North Hylton Yard No: 123 Launched: 8.10.1904 279.5 ft x 40.1 ft x 18.1 ft 1,000 ihp Triple Expansion engine (20.5, 33 & 54 x 39in), 194nhp, 1 screw by North Eastern Marine Engineering Co. Ltd. 1904 Named: Needwood for France, Fenwick & Co., London. 2.1905 sold to Union renamed: Kaituna. Used on coal and timber trades from west coast South Island ports and across the Tasman. 19.10.1905 stranded on Farewell Spit en route Newcastle-Wellington. Refloated same day. 12.10.1908 Lost propeller blades in the Karamea Bight on her way from Lyttelton to Greymouth. Towed into Westport by Charles Edward. 29.03.1929 Collided with and sank Norwegian steamship Selje off Cape Otway. Limped into Melbourne for major repairs. 12.1930 Laid up Auckland. 6.1931 Sold to by Wing Hong & Co., Hong Kong. Briefly owed by Foo Hong S.S. Co. Ltd and then Dah Chung Coal Co., Shanghai. Flag: Hong Kong 1938 Sold to Wallem & Co. renamed Needwood. 8.12.1941 Captured by Japanese forces at Tsingtao, renamed Kaiyo Maru. 22.12.1942 Sunk in collision with Nichiun Maru off Seto.
MV Kaituna	1956	1958–1975	3,722 GT	Freighter 267.6 ft (81.6 m) x 41.5 ft (12.6 m) x 17.8 ft (5.4 m), launched on 17 July 1958 by Alexander Stephen for Union's east coast routes, powered by a 1,500 hp (1,100 kW) 5-cylinder 2 SCSA Sulzer diesel engine by George Clark & NEM (Sunderland) and a single screw, at up to 11.5 kn (21.3 km/h; 13.2 mph), 24/05/1956 07/1956 345.4 ft x 50.5 ft x 22.4 ft Sulzer type oil engine 2SA.  6Cyl. (600 x 1040)mm. 1975 Climax Shipping Corporation, Male, Maldives Climax Jade 1981 Maldives Shipping Ltd., Male Maldive Jade 1984 SOUTHERN COUNTESS - 1985 FORTUNE SEAGULL 1985 Fortune Shipping Co. Ltd., Male Pulp paper carrier 23/01/1985 arrived at Gadani for breaking.
SS Kaiwarra	1918	1919–1942	3,051 GT	Steel, cargo steamer, laid down as War Star for the Shipping Controller, launched on 28 May 1919 by John Blumer & Co, Sunderland, for Union, 331.3 ft x 46.8 ft x 23.2 ft, T3cyl (25, 41 & 68 x 45in) by John Dickinson & Sons Ltd, 358nhp, 1 screw, beached on 4 December 1942 at Black Birch Gully, 0.75 mi (1.21 km) north of Motunau Island en a route from Newcastle to Lyttelton with 5,000 tons of coal. A court criticised the second officer for failing to report a change of weather, but didn't suspend his certificate.
SS Kakapo	1898	1900	1,091 GT	Steel cargo steamer launched as Clarence on 11/10/1897 by Grangemouth Dockyard Company for S.S. Clarence Co. Ltd. - F. le Boulanger, Swansea, 225.0 FT x 34.1 ft x 13.2 ft, T3cyl (18, 29, 48 x 33in), by Sir Christopher Furness, Westgarth & Co. Ltd., Middlesbrough, 138nhp, 1 screw 26/05/1900 wrecked on Slangkop Point, in Chapman's Bay, en route from Swansea to Australia on her delivery voyage to Union.
SS Kakapo	1901	1903–1937	1,521 GT	Launched 24/09/1901 by Grangemouth & Greenock Dockyard Co Ltd, Greenock Cartsdyke Mid for Scarisbrick S.S. Co. Ltd - Elvidge & Morgan, Cardiff, 258.2 ft x 36.7ft x 18ft, 1 screw, T3cyl (19, 31, 51 x 36in), 150nhp, by Hutson & Son Ltd., Glasgow 10 knots, 1903 Union renamed her Kakapo, 1926 Hulked at Auckland as a coal hulk, from 1927 as oil storage 1937, August 1936 part scrapped and hull beached or scuttled at Shakespear Bay, Whangapāraoa 18 December 1937.
SS Kakapo	1937	1937–1960	2,498 GT	Steel cargo steamer launched 1 September 1937 by Alexander Stephen & Sons Ltd, Linthouse, Govan, for Union, at the launch Winifred Jordan, wife of the New Zealand High Commissioner in London, added to the traditional words, ‘Haere ra te moana pai waka’ (Go in peace over the ocean, good ship), 282.9 ft x 45.2 ft x 19.5 ft, 1 screw, triple-expansion (21, 34 & 56 - 39)in, 356 nhp, 1 screw, 11 knots, 27.07.1938 leaked in the Tasman Sea, 19.11.1948 damaged at Napier, 1960 sold to Cia. de Navegacion Victoria Neptuno SA, Panama (Teh Hu Steamship Company Ltd, Hong Kong, managers), 1964 to Teh-hu S.S. Co, renamed Teh-Ping, 15/12/1970 scrapping started at Kaohsiung.
SS Kakariki	1926	1926–1937	887 GT	Cargo steamer launched on 1 April 1926 by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby for Union to replace Karamu between Melbourne and Tasmania, 57.97m x 9.57m x 3.93m (12.9ft), triple-expansion engine by Amos & Smith, Hull, 141 nhp, 1 screw, 9 knots, hit and sunk by Caradale, near Gellibrand Light, Hobson’s Bay, en route from Strahan to Melbourne, with 5 crew drowned, when Kakariki turned in front of Caradale on 29 January 1937, 1938-45 wreck removed after 3 attempts.
SS Kalingo	1927	1930–1943	2,047 GT	Steel cargo steamer launched on 15/10/1927 by Clyde Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. Ltd, Castle Works, Port Glasgow for Robert S. Lamb & Co. Ltd., Sydney, 283 ft x 43.1 ft x 17.5 ft, 1 screw. T3Cyl (20, 32 & 54 - 36)in by Clyde Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. Ltd, Port Glasgow, 219NHP, 10 knots, 1930 Union took over R.S. Lamb & Co, 18/01/1943 torpedoed by Japanese submarine I-21 in Tasman Sea, 34.07S 153.15E, 100 miles east of Sydney, en route to New Plymouth.
SS Kamo	1913	1913–1930	1,236 GT	Steel, cargo steamer launched on 7.05.1913 by Campbeltown Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Trench Point for Union, 69.95m x 10.91m x 4.75m, triple-expansion (18, 27.5 & 45 - 36in) engine by Rankin & Gilmour, Greenock, 159 nhp, 1 screw, 10 knots, 11.09.1923: Stranded at Wellington, 1930 sold to Foo Hong Steamship Company Ltd, Hong Kong, 1935 to Akai Shoten, Osaka, but registered under Chinese flag to Fan Shien Ho, Qingdao, renamed Lung Ho, 1937 to Nippon Kaiun Kogyo KK, Tokyo, renamed Ryuan Maru, and in 1938 Ryuwa Maru, 1939 to Nitto Kogyo Kisen K.K., Tokyo, 9.08.1945 sunk by US carrier-based aircraft off Chongjin (42.30N 129.45E), or Unggi (42.30N 130.15E).
MV Kamo	1943	1947–1958	1,450 GT	Cargo motor ship launched on 29.08.1943 as Gaarden by Rickmers Werft, Wesermünde, as a naval mine transporter, based at Kiel Naval Arsenal, 71.20m x 10.39m x 6.58m, 2 x 5-cylinder diesel engine by Gebrudder Sulzer, Winterthur, 1,600 bhp, 2 screw, 11.5 knots, crew 16, 1945 bombed, beached and taken by the Royal Navy at Narvik (she still had marks beneath the funnel when delivered to Lyttelton in 1947), transferred to Shipping Controller, 1946 allotted to New Zealand by the Inter-Allied Reparation Agency and sold to Union in 1947, repaired and altered by Henry Robb, Leith, delivered via Southampton, Port Said, Fremantle, renamed Kamo, 24.04.1957 laid up at Sydney, 1958 sold to Sunning Trading Corp, Panama, renamed Sunning, 1961 to Chip Hong Navigation Co Ltd (K L Chung, Hong Kong, managers), 30.12.1961 leaked and sank en route from Kaohsiung to Singapore at 8.10N 116.26E, off Palawan.
SS Kamona	1901	1901–1931	1,425 GT	Cargo steamer launched as Rollesby Broad on 5.02.1901 by Grangemouth Dockyard Co for Hawthorn Brothers, London, 74.68m x 11.00m x 4.88m, triple-expansion engine by WVV Ligerwood Works Glasgow, 148 nhp, 1 screw, 9 knots, 1901 sold to Union, 11.07.1926 fire at Greymouth, 29.12.1930 laid up at Port Chalmers, 1931 sold to Shun Hong Steamship Co, Hong Kong (ST Williamson, manager), September 1936 scrapped at Kowloon.
MV Kamona	1949	1949–1965	1,785 GT	Steel cargo motor ship launched on 12/05/1949 by Henry Robb Ltd, Victoria, Leith for Union to carry iron pyrites from Strahan to Yarravile, Port Phillip Bay, 75.65m x 13.77m x 4.26m, 8-cylinder 2 SCSA diesel engine 1,310 bhp 9.5 knots, cargo capacity 2,888 cubic metres (102,000 cubic feet), Oil 2SA 8cyl (340 x 570mm), by British Polar Engines Ltd, Glasgow, 1 screw, 12.11.1965 sold to Ocean Transport Pty. Ltd., Sydney, renamed Harwood, 1976 to Maldives Shipping Ltd, Male, and renamed Maldive Express, 31/10/1983 arrived at Gadani Beach for breaking by Sheikh Miran Bux Karam Bux Ltd.
SS Kanieri	1886	1886–1893	203 GT	A Denny-built ship, laid up in 1891, due to silting of the Ōpaoa River. 1893 sold to NSS
SS Kanna	1911	1911–1936	1,948 GT	Cargo steamer launched on 14.04.1911 by Ramage & Ferguson Ltd, Leith for Union, 82.94m x 12.56m x 5.52m, triple expansion engine, 264 nhp, 1 screw, 11 knots, 30.08.1927 stranded in Otago Harbour, 18.10.1929 collided with Maui Pomare at Wellington, 28.04.1932 detached her rudder from its chain off Cape Maria, April 1936 laid up at Auckland, September 1936 sold to Sakamoto Shoji KK, Osaka for their Chinese subsidiary Tsui Tsung Chu Co, Tsingtao, renamed Chung Tai, 1938 returned to Japan, renamed Seian Maru, 1.10.1944 sunk by USS Snapper 725km (450 miles) south of Yokohama (28.11N 139.30E).
SS Kanna	1946	1946–1967	942 GT	Admiralty "B" type China Coaster 23/10/1945 2/1946 Henry Robb Ltd, Leith, Victoria 224ft 6in x 37ft x 14ft. Oil 2SA 5cyl (350 x 620mm) B&W by J G Kincaid & Co. Ltd., Greenock, 1 screw for Union. 1967 Cia. Naviera La Luna S.A., Panama renamed Luna Marina. 1979 Apollo Shipping & Trading S.B., Kuching 1981 renamed Seng Giap. Wrecked 30/12/1983 at 02.01.06N - 109.39.02E en route Kuching-Singapore, later scrapped.
SS Kaponga photo	1925	1925–1932	2,346 GT	Collier 280 ft (85 m) x 44.3 ft (13.5 m) x 18.9 ft (5.8 m), launched on 19 August 1925 by William Gray & Company, West Hartlepool for Union, powered by a 274 hp (204 kW) 3-cylinder (20.5, 33.5, 55 x 39in), triple expansion, aft engine, by Central Marine Engineering and a single screw, at up to 10 kn (19 km/h; 12 mph). She first reached Wellington on 21 January 1926, via Montreal and Newcastle. On 27 May 1932 she was wrecked on Greymouth bar when leaving for Auckland. One of 3 sister colliers (Kiwitea, Kartigi), fitted with the latest coal handling equipment, additional ballast tanks and corrugated steel, rather than wood, hatch covers.
SS Kaponga photo	1949	1955–1961	2,712 GT	Freighter 320.2 ft (97.6 m) x 46.2 ft (14.1 m) x 23.2 ft (7.1 m), launched on 15 December 1948 by Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Company, Dundee as Woodland for the Currie Line Ltd, Leith, powered by a 3-cylinder (19, 31, 56 x 36in), triple expansion, oil fired, 1,249 hp (931 kW) engine, by J G Kinkaid & Co Ltd, Greenock and a single screw, at up to 11 kn (20 km/h; 13 mph). Union bought her in March 1955, renaming her Kaponga, to take paper pulp from Tauranga to Australia, until new ships arrived. In April 1958 she was laid up at Auckland, sold to Hang Fung Shipping & Trading Co, Hong Kong in 1961, renamed Nam Feng, to Leecho Steamship Co SA, Panama (Yong & Lee Timber Shipping Co Ltd, Hong Kong, managers) and renamed Empress of Victoria in 1963. On 10 August 1967, between Sandakan and Kaohsiung with a cargo of timber, she ran aground on Liu Ch'iu Hsu, south of Pescadores Islands, and became a total loss.
SS Karamu	1912	1922–1925	934 GT	Launched as Gale on 18 April 1912 by Ramage & Ferguson, Leith 205 ft x 32.1 ft x 12.7 ft, T3cyl, (17, 45, 45 x 33") 102nhp, engine aft, 1 screw. 1921 Canterbury Steam Shipping Co. Ltd., Lyttleton. 1922 Union renamed Karamu. Sank 4 September 1925 in Kitchen Bay off South West Cape, en route from Strahan to Risdon, with concentrates.
MV Karamu	1953	1953–1972	1,972 GT	Launched 2 December 1952 by Henry Robb, Leith, for Union, refrigerated, steel, freighter, 81.01m x 12.64m x 5.42m, draught 4.998m, 5-cylinder 2 SCSA diesel engine by George Clark (1935) Ltd, Sunderland 1,500 bhp, 1 screw, 11 knots, first of the soft nosed ships, 1960 refrigeration added when she replaced Monowai on Wellington-Auckland-Sydney run. She also carried fruit from Pacific Islands and took an injured man from Campbell Island in 1956. On 4 February 1972 she was sold to Guan Guan Shipping (Pte) Ltd, Singapore, and renamed King Luck, then in 1979 renamed Tsin Yuen, sold on 9 October 1984 to Ging Ya Metal Enterprise Co for scrapping at Kaohsiung.
MV Karepo	1929	1929–1954	2,563 GT	Launched on 31 October 1929 by Cammell Laird, Birkenhead for Union, as a West Coast collier, 86.71m x 14.11m x 5.61m, triple-expansion 340 nhp, 1 screw, 11 knots, 15 November 1933 stranded at Greymouth, at Westport on 23 October 1942 and off Cape Foulwind on 19 January 1946, 20 April 1938 collided with Kohi at Wellington, 23 April 1938 on a fire at Westport, 20 January 1950 hit Auckland wharf. 14 March 1952 laid up at Auckland. 1954 sold to R W Miller & Co, Sydney as a Newcastle collier, renamed Teralba. 1962 to SS William McArthur Pty Ltd (R W Miller & Co Pty Ltd, managers). 1970 to Goldfields Metal Traders, Fremantle. 1971 scrapped in Taiwan.
MV Karepo	1964	1964–1978	3,222 GT	General cargo motor ship completed in April 1964 by Taikoo Dockyard & Engineering Company of Hong Kong Ltd for Union, 99.30m x 14.63m x 6.46m, draught 5.821m, 6-cylinder 2 SCSA diesel engine by British Polar Engines Ltd, Glasgow, 2,880 bhp, 1 screw, 13 knots, cargo capacity 4,835 cubic metres (170,749 cubic feet) including 80 cubic metres (2,828 cubic feet) refrigerated, 1978 sold to Atlantic Navigation (Pte) Ltd, Singapore, and renamed Atlantic Viking, 1978 to Pacific Viking (Pte) Ltd, Singapore (Pacific Navigation Co Pte Ltd, Singapore, managers) and renamed Pacific Viking, 9.12.1986 sold for scrapping at Rayong.
SS Karetu	1924	1924–1951	3,210 GT	Collier launched on 15.09.1924 by Wm Gray & Co Ltd, West Hartlepool for Union for New Zealand coastal service, one of 5 ships ordered for Soc Navale de l’Ouest but sold to Union before completion, 94.49m x 14.17m x 7.22m, triple-expansion engine by Central Marine Engine Works, Hartlepool, 414 nhp, 1 screw 10 knots, 29.12.1945 fire at Dunedin, 2.12.1947 collided with Otakau at Dunedin, 1949 laid up at Wellington, 1951 sold to Mrs E J Chandris, Piraeus, renamed Keti Chandris, 1954 to Cia de Vapores Marina Ltda, Panama, renamed Marina, to Riza ve Asian Sadikoglu, Istanbul, renamed Umran, 1957 to Cemal Pehliven Varisleri, Istanbul, renamed Muzaffer Pehliven, 1960 to Ufuk Vapuru Donatma Istiraki, Istanbul, renamed Ufuk, 5.03.1977 scrapped at Aliaga.
MV Karetu	1964	1964–1980	3,222 GT	Cargo motor ship completed in June 1964 by Taikoo Dockyard & Engineering Company of Hong Kong Ltd for Union, 99.30m x 14.63m x 6.46m, draught 5.821m, 6-cylinder 2 SCSA diesel engine by British Polar Engines Ltd, Glasgow, 2,880 bhp, 1 screw, 13 knots, cargo capacity 4,835 cubic metres (170,749 cubic feet) including 80 cubic metres (2,828 cubic feet) refrigerated, 1980 sold to B C D Shipping Pte Ltd, Singapore (Chuan Peng Kiat, Singapore, managers), renamed Pacific Ocean, 1982 management transferred to Pacific Navigation Co Pte Ltd, Singapore, 15.07.1987 sold for scrapping Keelung at Kaohsiung.
SS Karitane	1903	1905–1921	1,376 GT	Steel cargo steamer launched as Cavalier on 14.03.1903 by S P Austin & Co, Sunderland, for Stewart Steamship Co (Liverpool) Ltd, 247 ft (75 m) x 36.5 ft (11.1 m) x 16.8 ft (5.1 m), triple-expansion engine by North East Marine Engineering Co, Newcastle, 211 nhp, 1 screw, 9 knots, 1905 sold to Union and renamed Karitane, On 24.12.1921, en route from Devonport to Port Kembla, with bagged ore and 454 tons of blister copper from Strahan, she ran aground in fog on the south of Deal Island, drifted ashore at Squally Cove and became a wreck. As she had no wireless, news was sent from the lighthouse. An inquiry decided currents were to blame and no one was held liable for the wreck. Union set up Karitane Syndicate Ltd, which salvaged £38,000 of copper and auctioned other salvage on 22 May, with a surplus of about £14,000. The wreck remains in the north-west of Squally Cove, the bow on a rocky beach and the stern largely intact, with boilers, propeller shaft, rudder and steering gear, about 7 m (23 ft) deep. The forward section was blown apart during salvage.
MV Karitane photo	1939	1939–1965	2,534 GT	Cargo motor vessel launched on 21 December 1938 by Henry Robb Ltd, Leith, for Union, 88.23m x 13.80m x 5.82m, 2 x 5-cylinder 2 SCSA diesel engines by A/S Atlas-Diesel, Stockholm, 1,600 bhp, 2 screws, 11 knots, September 1939 taken for war service to carry military supplies to the South Pacific, 1952 refitted as a bulk grain carrier, 1965 sold to Kinabatangan Shipping Co, Hong Kong, renamed Good Philippine Anchorage, 1966 to Century Shipping Lines SA, Panama, 1968 renamed Amaria without a change in ownership. 1969 renamed Unistar One, 1970 to Haisen Navigation Company SA, Panama, December 1970 scrapped by Lee Sing & Co, Hong Kong.
MV Karoon	1951	1951–1968	2,437 GT	Cargo motor vessel launched on 27 January 1951 by New South Wales Government Engineering & Shipbuilding Undertaking, Newcastle, for Union's Tasmania-Australia route, 93.08m x 13.25m x 5.33m, 2 x 5-cylinder 2 SCSA diesel engines by British Polar Diesels Ltd, Glasgow, 1,450 bhp, 2 screws, 10 knots, 3 holds and stabling for horses. She collided with Huddart Parker's Warringa in thick fog, off Eddystone Point, on 23 November 1958, and grounded on Nepean Reef on 8 September 1963, due to her captain not being vigilant. 1968 sold to The Miller Steamship Co Pty Ltd, Sydney (R W Miller & Co Pty Ltd, managers), renamed Elisa Miller, January 1978 laid up at Sydney, 1979 sold to Southern Navigation Sendiran Berhad, Kuching, renamed Southern Cross, then Southern Glory, 1980 to Sing Brun Shipping & Trading Ltd, Brunei (Hsing Weng Shipping (Pte) Ltd, Singapore, managers), 1988 to Perkapalan Sinwen Marine Sendiran Berhad, Kuala Lumpur (Jesselton Shipping (Pte) Ltd, Singapore, managers), On 9 December 1993, in bad weather, with a timber cargo, en route from Muara Port to Singapore, she had engine trouble, listed 12 degrees and sank north of Brunei next day, close to 05 23N, 114 41E.
SS Karori	1902	1903–1928	1,863 GT	Launched on 24 December 1901 as Minas, by Craig, Taylor & Co, Stockton and delivered to Sociadad Espanola de Minas, Bilbao on 1 February 1902, 82.11m x 12.43m x 5.91m, triple-expansion (20, 33, 54 x 39in) engine by North East Marine Engineering Co Ltd, Sunderland, 189 nhp, 1 screw, 9.5 knots, 1903 sold to Union, renamed Karori, 18.11.1919 grounded in Otago Harbour, 28.08.1926 leaked while in the Tasman Sea, 12.08.1927 laid up at Wellington. From 1928 she was based in Shanghai, with Chun Yung Zan, renamed Shanghai, 1930 Moller & Co and renamed Katie Moller, 1933 Tientsin Navigation Co and renamed Tung Chen, August 1937 sunk in a Battle of Shanghai air raid.
SS Kartigi	1925	1925–1932	2,347 GT	Collier 280 ft (85 m) x 44.3 ft (13.5 m) x 18.9 ft (5.8 m), launched on 22 May 1925 by William Gray & Company, for Union, powered by a 274 hp (204 kW) 3-cylinder (20.5, 33.5, 55 x 39in), triple expansion, aft engine, by Central Marine Engineering and a single screw, at up to 10 kn (19 km/h; 12 mph). 1955 Grosvenor Shipping Co. Ltd., London. She was one of 3 sister colliers (Kaponga, Kiwitea), fitted for coal handling, additional ballast tanks and corrugated steel hatch covers. In April 1955 she and Kartigi were both towed to Hong Kong by the tug Golden Cape and scrapped. Assisted in the salvage of Greek flagged steamer Kotor which went ashore near North Cape on 29 June 1944. 1955 sold for scrap
SS Karu	1901	1915–1925	266 GT	Cargo steamer built as Torgauten by Moss Jernst & Mek Vaerks (Moss Iron Foundry & Mechanical Works), Moss for Acties Torgauten, Fredrikstad (Aas & Cappelen, managers). 41.94m x 7.35m x 3.11m, 14 nhp, compound steam engine, 1 screw, 7 knots, 1904 sold to Westcoast Steamship Co, Greymouth. 1907 sold to Maoriland Steamship Company, Wellington, renamed Holmdale. 28.10.1909 propeller damaged off Wellington. 21.03.1910 aground at Farewell Spit. 29.01.1911 aground in Otago Harbour, came to Union in 1915, when Maoriland was taken over, renamed Karu. September 1918 chartered to Reece Bros, Lyttelton, April 1919 chartered for 2 years to Canterbury Steam Shipping Company, Christchurch, for £150 a month. 1921 laid up at Port Chalmers as too small for Union. April 1924 sold to a Melbourne syndicate and towed from Port Chalmers to Sydney by Waikouaiti, but the sale fell through and she was laid up in Sydney, 1925 sold to Captain A F Watchlin, Auckland, 27.02.1926 sank in Twilight Bay, off Cape Maria van Diemen, en route from Whangape to Sydney, probably after hitting a submerged rock or log.
MV Karu	1935	1935–1964	1,044 GT	Cargo motor ship launched on 19.06.1935 by Alexander Stephen & Sons Ltd, Linthouse, Glasgow for Union to replace Opihi on the South Island-New Plymouth route. 67.17m x 10.69m x 4.35m, 6 cylinder 2 SCSA diesel engine, 210 nhp, 1 screw, 11 knots, 1964 sold to Australia Pacific Shipping (Hong Kong) Ltd, wrecked 11.07.1964 en route from Sydney to Guam, in Jomard Passage.
MV Katea	1958	1958–1975	3,790 GT	Cargo motor ship launched on 22 April 1958 by Alexander Stephen for Union's east coast routes, powered by a 3,000 hp (2,200 kW) 6-cylinder 2 SCSA Sulzer diesel engine, 1 screw, 12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph), 342.1 ft (104.3 m) x 51 ft (16 m) x 26 ft (7.9 m), draught 22.4 ft (6.8 m), 28.07.1958 arrived on her delivery voyage. 12.04.1975 laid up at Auckland. 11.09.1975 sold to Pac Trade Navigation Co, Monrovia (Madrigal & Co Inc, Manila, managers), renamed Santa Ursula. 6.03.1982 reached Hsi Ying Enterprises Co Ltd, Kaohsiung for scrapping.
SS Katoa	1912	1912–1933	2,484 GT	Collier launched on 20.03.1912 by Osbourne, Graham & Co Ltd, Sunderland for Union's Calcutta route, powered by a 274 hp (204 kW), triple-expansion engine by George Clark Ltd, Sunderland, 1 screw, 10 kn (19 km/h; 12 mph), 298 ft (91 m) x 45.3 ft (13.8 m) x 20 ft (6.1 m), 8.12.1919 damaged at Auckland. 29.09.1924 damaged machinery at Auckland. 23.06.1931 laid up at Wellington, sold to Moller & Co, Shanghai, renamed Winifred Moller in 1933, to Zui Kong Steamship Co Ltd, Shanghai, renamed Tsze Yung in 1946, to Chinese Maritime Trust Ltd, Shanghai in 1948 and scrapped in Taiwan in 1958.
MS Katui	1946	1946–1967	942 GT	Launched on 21/11/1945, completed in 3/1946 by Henry Robb Ltd., Leith at Victoria yard for Union's Dunedin-Oamaru-Timaru-Lyttelton-Wellington-Napier-Gisborne route, 224 ft 6 in x 37 ft 0 in x 14 ft, 800 hp (600 kW), Oil 2SA 5cyl (350 x 620mm) B&W, by J G Kincaid & Co. Ltd., Greenock 1 screw, 9 kn (17 km/h; 10 mph), 1967 Islander Navigation Co. S.A., Panama, renamed Cindee, 1973 Cia. de Navigation Amin S.A., Panama, 1974 P.T. Peruhasaan Pelayaran Nusantara Bahari Bahtera, Djakarta, renamed Banang, 1979 P.T. Perusahaan Pelayaran Nusantara Nagah Berlian, Djakarta, 4/1984 scrapped at Tanjung Priok.
SS Kauri	1905	1912–1928	2,833 GT	Cargo steamer launched on 7 January 1905 by Furness, Withy & Co, West Hartlepool as Harmony for J&C Harrison Ltd, London. 99.09m x 14.33m x 6.80m, triple-expansion engine by Richardsons, Westgarth & Co, Hartlepool 304 nhp, 1 screw 9 knots 1912 sold to Union, renamed Kauri, 23.06.1914 stranded at Westport. 11.12.1914 a fire at Wellington. 23.06.1924 damaged in the Tasman Sea. 5.08.1927 laid up at Lyttelton. 1928 sold to Moller & Co, Shanghai, renamed Minnie Moller, 1936 to Hwah Sung Steamship Co, Shanghai, renamed Hwah Foo, 1938 in the Sino-Japanese war, she was sunk as a blockship in the Yangtze River.
MV Kauri	1936	1936–1962	2,361 GT	Cargo motor ship, 289.6 ft (88.3 m) x 44.2 ft (13.5 m) x 19.2 ft (5.9 m), launched on 7 July 1936 by Alexander Stephen for Union's east coast routes, powered by a 391 hp (292 kW) 4-cylinder 2 SCSA Sulzer diesel engine and 1 screw, at up to 11 kn (20 km/h; 13 mph), 1962 sold to John Manners & Company, Hong Kong, and renamed Carolina for his Cronulla Shipping Ltd, Panama flag. 5.09.1964 sank at Hong Kong during typhoon Ruby, but was repaired. 1967 sold to Manner’s San Jeronimo Steamship Company, Panama, and renamed Miranda. 1968 sold to Luen Seng Navigation Compnay SA, Panama, and renamed Primal Prosperity, then in 1968 Golden Dragon. 1969 sold to The Africa Shipping Company SA and renamed Gambali, then in 1977 Gautari. 26.05.1978 Africa Shipping was declared bankrupt and sold to Talihai Shipping Company Ltd, Hong Kong, renamed Talihai. 12.1978 scrapped near Bangkok.
SS Kawaroa	1950	1950–1972	3,532 GT	Cargo motor ship, 331.6 ft (101.1 m) x 50.1 ft (15.3 m) x 23.5 ft (7.2 m), draught 22.4 ft (6.8 m) launched on 18 January 1950 by Alexander Stephen for Union's east coast routes, powered by a 2,410 hp (1,800 kW) 6-cylinder 2 SCSA MNs482 diesel engine and 1 screw, at up to 11.5 kn (21.3 km/h; 13.2 mph), 1972 sold to Karingo Shipping Co. Ltd. S.A., Panama, renamed Tong Soon, 26.05.1978 to San Diego Maritime Co. Ltd. S.A., Honduras, renamed Lydia, 17/11/1978 arrived at Jurong for scrapping. The 4th of 5 similar ships (Kaitoke, Komata, Koromiko, Waimate) for trans Tasman trade, with 3 large hatches with MacGregor steel covers and double sets of union purchase gear, powered by electric winches at each hatch. There was a 25 tons derrick at no 3 hatch. In 1960 she was the first to bring cargo (earth moving machinery from Melbourne) to Deep Cove.
SS Kawatiri	1882	1887–1907	435 GT	An iron cargo steamer launched as Kawatiro (an error) on 8/08/1882 by McIntyre & Co, Phoenix Works, Paisley for Westport Coal Co. Ltd. 170.5 ft x 26.1 ft x 11.2 ft, C2cyl (20 & 40 x 30in), by Fleming & Ferguson Ltd, Paisley 70nhp, 1-screw, renamed Kawatiri before registration, 1887 Union took her over with Westport Coal Co. Wrecked 13/08/1907 on the North Spit of Hell's Gates en route from Hobart to Strahan, with 60 passengers, 22 crew, timber, coal and other cargo. A stewardess and 5 passengers (4 children) drowned when they were washed out of a lifeboat. No blame was found by a court, which considered the bar was rougher than could have been expected. Wreckage remains, 2-4 metres deep, in what is now Kawatiri Shoal.
SS Kawatiri	1919		3,076 GT	Collier launched on 27.04.1919 by John Priestman & Co, Southwick, Sunderland for The Shipping Controller as War Beacon, completed in July 1919 as Shahristan for F C Strick & Co, Swansea, 331.3 ft (101.0 m) x 46.8 ft (14.3 m) x 23.2 ft (7.1 m), triple-expansion (25, 41 & 68 x 45in) engine by George Clark Ltd, Sunderland, 429 hp (320 kW), 1 screw, in August 1920, after a long charter, she was sold to Union, renamed Kawatiri, August 1930 laid up at Port Chalmers, 1935 sold for £9,500, along with her sister Kaiwarra, to Sakamoto Shoji, managed by Sung Wen Kwei, Tsingtao (Kawasaki KK), 1935 to China, renamed Wen Yuan, 1938 moved back to Sakamoto Shoji and renamed Seikai Maru, 1940 to Kita Nippon KK, Toyko, 24.08.1942 en route from Yokohama, she was torpedoed and sunk off Kinkazan, by USS Guardfish (38°12’N-141°30’E).
MV Kawatiri	1950	1950–1972	2,484 GT	Cargo motor ship, 305.4 ft (93.1 m) x 43.6 ft (13.3 m) x 17.6 ft (5.4 m), cargo capacity 4,386 cubic metres (154,910 cubic feet), launched on 30 June 1950 by Henry Robb at Leith for Union's east coast routes, powered by a 368 hp (274 kW) 2SA 5-cylinder (340 x 570mm) diesel engine by British Polar and 1 screw, at up to 9.75 kn (18.06 km/h; 11.22 mph), 1972 Lineng Enterprises S.A., Panama, renamed Kawati 1976 Syarikat Perkapalan Meladju Sdn. Bhd., Labuan 1979 Independent Airlines (Malaysia), Labuan, renamed Hati Senang 5/1987 scrapped at Chittagong by Habib Steel Ltd.
MV Kawerau	1955	1955–1975	3,698 GT	Cargo steel motor vessel launched on 16/08/1955 by Alexander Stephen & Sons Ltd, Linthouse, Govan for Union, 345.2ft x 50.0ft x 26.0ft, draught 22.4ft, cargo capacity 7,450 cubic metres (263,090 cubic feet), 6-cylinder (600 x 1040)mm 2 SCSA diesel engine, 3,000 bhp, 1 screw, 12 knots, she carried wood pulp to Australia and was present at the opening of the new Mount Maunganui wharf by Sidney Holland on 3 December 1955, 8.08.1975 laid up at Auckland, 1.10.1975 sold to Imperial Transport Corporation, Male (Maldives Shipping Ltd, managers), renamed Coral Sea, 1977 to Panama flag, renamed Imperial Star, 1984 sold to owners in United Arab Emirates, renamed Nafisah, 22.01.1984 sailed from Port Sudan to Bombay, for scrapping from 21.10.1984 at Gadani Beach, by Muzaffar Ahmed & Co.
SS Kekerangu	1919	1920–1953	3,146 GT	5.09.1918 launched as War Coast by Tyne Iron Shipbuilding Company Ltd, Newcastle for the Shipping Controller, 20.03.1919 completed as Cosmos for J S Ambrose, Cardiff, 331.3ft x 46.6ft x 23.2ft, triple-expansion steam engine by North East Marine Engineering Works Hartlepool, 2,300 ihp, 1 screw, 11.5 knots, sold to Severn Shipping Company, Cardiff (N G Hallett, manager), 20.10.1920 sold to Union, 1921 renamed Kekerangu (although she was originally intended to be named Karaka). August 1953 sold to Gilbert’s (A’sian) Agency (Vic) Pty Ltd, Melbourne, and scrapped in Japan.
SS Kia Ora	1896	1898–1907	300 GT	1898 purchased from McGregor SS Co, Glasgow, 1907 sold to NSS.
SS Kini photo	1894	1898–1925	1,122 GT	Launched 22 May 1894 as Ella by Short Brothers, Pallion, Sunderland for J. S. Barwick, Sunderland, 218.2 ft x 33.1 ft x 13.7 ft, T3cyl. (17.5”, 29” & 47” x 33”), by J. Dickinson, 130hp, 1 screw. 1898 sold to Union and renamed Kini, broke her tail shaft on 7 July 1906, 22 October 1911 and 6 October 1914. Each time she was towed in for repairs. In 1924 Todd & Borlase, Dunedin dismantled her and scuttled her in Cook Strait on 11 February 1925.
SS Kini photo	1930	1930–1956	1,388 GT	Steel cargo steamer laid down as Ihumata by John Lewis & Sons Ltd, Aberdeen for R S Lamb & Co Ltd, Sydney. 19.02.1930 being built when R S Lamb was taken over by Union. 6.11.1930 launched. 12.1930 completed as Kini for Union. 69.83m x 11.95m x 3.81m, triple-expansion (15.75, 27 & 44.5 - 33in) engine aft, 165 nhp, 1 screw, 11 knots, mostly used around Australia, 1956 sold for £20,000 to Isabel Navigation Co SA, Panama (John Manners & Co Ltd, Hong Kong, managers), renamed Brenda. 1961 to San Raimundo Cia Nav, Panama (Lanena Shipping Co Ltd, Hong Kong, managers), renamed Jade. 16/02/1962 scrapping started by Hong Kong Chiap Hua Manufactory Co. (1947) Ltd.
SS Kittawa	1898	1899–1928	1,247 GT	Collier launched on 19.07.1898 as Glosterhill by Osbourne, Graham & Co, North Hylton, Sunderland, for Broomhill Shipping Co, Newcastle (R Jack manager), 225.2ft x 36.0ft x 13.3ft, triple-expansion (18.5, 30 & 49 x 33in) engine by G Clark Ltd, Sunderland, 149 nhp, 1 screw, 9 knots, 1899 sold to Union, renamed Kittawa, 2.06.1913 leaked off Westport, 22.01.1914 rudder damage in Otago Harbour, 25.02.1919 aground at Manukau, 10.03.1928 laid up at Wellington, September 1928 sold to Wing Hong Co, Hong Kong, 6.07.1932 sunk by collision with P&O’s Bhutan blocking part of Astrea Channel, Whangpoo River, September 1932 to January 1933 wreck removed.
SS Kiwitea	1925	1925–1955	2,343 GT	Collier 280 ft (85 m) x 44.3 ft (13.5 m) x 18.9 ft (5.8 m), launched on 22 June 1925 by William Gray & Company, for Union, powered by a 1,249 hp (931 kW) 3-cylinder (20.5, 33.5, 55 x 39in), triple expansion, aft engine, by Central Marine Engineering and a single screw. In 1955 she was sold to Grosvenor Shipping Co. Ltd., London. She was one of 3 sister colliers (Kaponga, Kartigi), fitted for coal handling, with additional ballast tanks and corrugated steel hatch covers. In April 1955 she and Kartigi were both towed to Hong Kong by the tug Golden Cape and scrapped. Assisted in the salvage of Greek flagged steamer Kotor which went ashore near North Cape on 29 June 1944. 9 June 1935 stranded in the Grey River. 12.11.1941 hit Auckland wharf. 27.06.1944 lost an anchor off North Cape. 27.08.1952 laid up. 1955 sold with Kartigi to Grosvenor Shipping Co Ltd, Hong Kong. 2.1956 sold for scrapping.
SS Kokiri	1911	1915–1927	1,214 GT	Cargo steamer launched as Lauderdale on 17/02/1911 by Campbeltown Shipbuilding Co for Maoriland Steamship Co (C. McArthur), Wellington, 229.3ft x 35.8ft x 15.6ft, triple expansion (18, 27½ & 45 - 33)in 180lb engine by D Rowan & Co, Glasgow, 135 nhp, 1 screw, 9 knots, 17.10.1911 hit Napier wharf, came to Union in 1915, when Maoriland was taken over, renamed Kokiri, 1927 sold to Madrigal & Co, Manila, renamed Josefina, 1931 renamed Visayas II, 1932 renamed Taurus, 27 December 1941 scuttled in Pasig River, Luzon by the US Navy to prevent capture by the Japanese, who refloated her, renamed Toshu Maru, February 1945 when Manila was recaptured she was bombed and sunk in Manila Bay by the Japanese. Alternative source, 2/01/1942 captured in Manila Bay Attack 20/10/1944.
MV Kokiri	1951	1951–1968	2,470 GT	Cargo steel motor vessel launched on 23 May 1951 by Henry Robb at Victoria, Leith for Union's Greymouth-Westport-Wellington route, 305.4 ft (93.1 m) x 43.6 ft (13.3 m) x 17.6 ft (5.4 m), powered by a 1,450 hp (1,080 kW) 5-cylinder (340 x 570mm) 2 SCSA Sulzer diesel engine by British Polar and 1 screw, at up to 10 kn (19 km/h; 12 mph), 12.03.1958 ran onto rocks at the end of Greymouth breakwater, 17 plates replaced, 13.03.1965 2 killed by an explosion at Wellington probably due to coal gas, 1968 sold to E. K. Litonjua SS Co. Inc, Manila, renamed Junior K L, 5/10/1971 posted missing, last report at 13.00N 112.46E in typhoon Elaine, with a crew of about 20, en route from Tanjong Mani to Hong Kong with logs.
SS Komata	1907	1907–1935	1,944 GT	Cargo steamer launched on 12/02/1907 by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd, Neptune Yard, Low Walker, for Union, 286.0 x 42.1 x 18.5ft, triple-expansion (22, 35 & 58 x 39ins) engine, 210nhp, 1 screw, 9knots, 31.01.1916 stranded at Pencarrow Head and on 13.05.1926 at Westport, 6.12.1927 machinery damage at Wellington, October 1932 laid up at Wellington,1935 Kaimanawa towed her to Miyachi KKK, Kobe for scrap, but at Osaka, she was resold to Fan Shien Ho, Tientsin, renamed Fu Ho, 1937 to Song Wen Kwei, Tsingtao, 1938 to Miyachi Kisen KK, Kobe, in the Sino-Japanese war she was seized, renamed Fuzan Maru, 1934 sold for scrapping but resold, 17/07/1943 sank after colliding with Juzan Maru about 15 miles SW of Kholmsk, at 46.57N 141.42E, en route from Rumoi to Kholmsk.
MV Komata	1938	1939–1940	3,900 GT	Cargo steamer launched on 10.10.1938 for Union as a Nauru phosphate carrier by Alexander Stephen & Sons Ltd, Linthouse, Glasgow, 109.57m (359.5ft) x 16.06m (52.7ft) x 7.77m (25.5ft), triple-expansion (24.5, 41 & 58 - 48)in. 200lb. engine 516 nhp, 1 screw, 11 knots. After leaving Glasgow, she ran aground and spent 5 weeks being repaired at Middlesbrough. Chartered by British Phosphate Commissioners and captured at Nauru with other ships, 8.12.1940 en route from Suva, whilst waiting for good weather to land at Nauru, she was sunk about 20 miles east of Nauru by the German Raider Komet, killing 2 crew. 496 survivors were landed on Emirau Island, after she had also sunk Triadic, Triona and Triaster.
MV Komata	1946	1947–1967	3,543 GT	Cargo steel motor vessel, the 1st of 5 similar ships (Kaitoke, Kawaroa, Komata, Koromiko) for Union's trans Tasman service, as an upgrade of the pre-war Kauri, with steel hatch covers and glassed-in winch control rooms, launched on 17 September 1946 by Alexander Stephen & Sons Ltd, Linthouse, 332 ft (101 m) x 50.2 ft (15.3 m) x 23.9 ft (7.3 m), draught 22.4 ft (6.8 m), powered by a 2,410 hp (1,800 kW) 6-cylinder 2 SCSA Sulzer diesel engine, 1 screw, at up to 12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph), 10.06.1949 collided with Broompark at Auckland, ashore briefly at Ōwhiro Bay in March 1965 in thick fog, 1967 sold to San Miguel Navigation Co SA, Panama (John Manners & Co Ltd, Hong Kong, managers), renamed Antonia Regidor, 1967 to Cheh An Navigation Co SA, Panama (New Taiwan Marine Transportation Co Ltd, Keelung, managers), renamed Glory No 2, 1972 to An Lee Navigation Co Pte Ltd, Singapore (Chip Seng & Co Pte Ltd, Singapore, managers), renamed An Fu, 1977 to Kai Fa Navigation Co SA, Panama, and renamed Ford, 29 December 1977 arrived at Kaohsiung for scrapping by Chih-E Steel Co from 3/04/1978.
SS Konini photo	1924	1924	1,420 GT	Launched on 17 July 1924 by Grangemouth Dockyard Company Ltd for Union, 245.2 ft x 37.7 ft x 17.25 ft, T3cyl (21, 35, 57 x 36in), 227nhp by David Rowan & Co., Glasgow, 1 screw, wrecked on maiden voyage at Whale Head, Bluff on 22 December 1924 en route to Dunedin with salt and gypsum. An inquiry decided her captain shouldn't have continued at full speed in poor visibility, but didn't suspend his certificate. By March 1925 she was breaking up.
MV Konini	1957	1957–1971	2,007 GT	Cargo steel motor vessel, 267.6 ft (81.6 m) x 41.5 ft (12.6 m) x 17.8 ft (5.4 m), draught 15.9 ft (4.8 m), launched on 15 February 1957 by Henry Robb, Victoria, Leith for Union's east coast routes (see photo at Napier), powered by a 1,500 hp (1,100 kW) 5-cylinder (480 x 700mm) 2 SCSA Sulzer diesel engine by George Clark & NEM (Sunderland) and 1 screw, at up to 11.5 kn (21.3 km/h; 13.2 mph), 25.08.1971 sold to Guan Guan Shipping (Pte) Ltd, Singapore, and renamed King Tower. 1976 to King Line Pte Ltd, Singapore (Guan Guan Shipping (Pte) Ltd, Singapore, managers). 21.01.1985 to National Shipbreakers Pte Ltd, Singapore to scrap at Jurong.
MV Konui	1949	1949–1969	2,485 GT	Collier 267.6 ft (81.6 m) x 41.5 ft (12.6 m) x 17.8 ft (5.4 m), launched on 25 May 1948 by Miss New Zealand of 1948 by Henry Robb at Leith for Union's east coast routes, powered by a 1,500 hp (1,100 kW) 5-cylinder 2 SCSA Sulzer diesel engine by George Clark & NEM (Sunderland) and a single screw, at up to 11.5 kn (21.3 km/h; 13.2 mph), June 1960 record at Greymouth of 2,926 tons of coal loaded in 7½ hours, 1969 sold to Express Navigation (Pte) Ltd, Singapore (Unique Shipping & Trading Co Pte Ltd, Singapore, managers) and renamed Bonatrade, 1974 to Southern Glow Shipping (Pte) Ltd, Singapore, 1974 to Tung Wo Shipping Co SA, Panama, and renamed Tung Lee, 1977 to Syarikat Perkapalan Bersinar Sendirian Berhad, Kuala Lumpur (Kie Hock Shipping (1971) Pte Ltd, Singapore, managers) and renamed Berjaya, 1983 to P T Perusahaan Pelayaran Nusantara Nagah Berlian, Indonesia, 27.07.1983 to Golden Sea International Co Ltd, Bangkok for scrap.
SS Koonya photo	1898	1899–1918	1091 GT	Cargo steamer launched as Yukon on 26 November 1897 by Grangemouth Dockyard Company for Yukon Steamship Co, Swansea 225 ft x 34.2 ft x 13.2 ft, T3cyl (18, 29, 48 x 33in), by Sir Christopher Furness, Westgarth & Co. Ltd, Middlesbrough 138nhp, 1 screw 1899 sold to Union and renamed Koonya, 30 November 1909 aground in Otago Harbour, 28 February 1913 hit Wellington wharf, 3 June 1919 wrecked on Sandy Cape, Tasmania, on the coast of Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area, en route from Strahan to Sydney with ore. An inquiry found errors of judgement by the officers, but didn't suspend their certificates.
MV Koonya	1957	1957–1971	1,946 GT	Cargo steel motor vessel, launched on 30/07/1957 by Henry Robb Ltd., Victoria, Leith, for Union's Tasmania-Australia routes, 252.3 ft (76.9 m) x 45.6 ft (13.9 m) x 16 ft (4.9 m), draught 14.7 ft (4.5 m), cargo capacity 97,780 cu ft (2,769 m3), including 1,300 cu ft (37 m3) insulated, powered by a 1,280 hp (950 kW), 2SCSA 8-cylinder (340 x 570mm) diesel engine, by British Polar Engines Ltd, Glasgow, 1 screw, at up to 11 kn (20 km/h; 13 mph), 19.05.1971 sold to Guan Guan Shipping Pte. Ltd., Singapore, renamed King Star, 1975 to King Line Pte. Ltd., Singapore, 21/01/1985 arrived at Jurong for scrapping by National Shipbreakers.
MV Kootara	1952	1952–1975	2,429 GT	Cargo motor vessel with 3 holds, launched by New South Wales Government Engineering & Shipbuilding Undertaking, Newcastle, as a sister ship of Karoon on 9 August 1952, fully fitted out, as a strike had delayed the launch from 15 March, for Union's Tasmania-Australia routes, 93.08m x 13.25m x 5.97m, draught 5.33m, 2 x 5-cylinder 2 SCSA diesel engines by British Polar Diesels Ltd, Glasgow, 1,450 bhp, 2 screws, 10 knots, 1968 converted to carry sulphuric acid, 1975 sold to Amigos Navigation Company, Limassol, Martrade Shipping Co Ltd, Limassol (S C Vazeos, Piraeus, managers), renamed Sydney,1980 to Ursa Tradeship Ltd, Cyprus (Al Navigation Co Ltd, Athens, managers) and renamed Padma, 27.08.1980 wrecked on Syros after dragging an anchor, en route from Romania to Syros.
MV Kopua photo	1937	1947–1960	1,525 GT	Timber freighter (when built, she had the longest hold of any ship, 96 ft (29 m), suited to carrying Australian hardwood power poles and wharf piles) 252.8 ft (77.1 m) x 45.8 ft (14.0 m) x 12.7 ft (3.9 m), or 242.7ft x 45.1ft x 13.5ft, cargo capacity 2,605 cubic metres (92,000 cubic feet), launched as Port Tauranga on 26 November 1936 by Henry Robb Ltd, Victoria, Leith for Captain A. F. Watchlin, Auckland, powered by a 250 hp (190 kW), 2 x 4-cylinder 2 SCSA diesel engines by Atlas Diesel A/B Stockholm, 2 screws , at up to 10 kn (19 km/h; 12 mph), 29.06.1942 stranded in the Clarence River, 5.12.1947 sold to Union, renamed Kama, 1948 renamed Kopua, 11.1959 laid up, 1960 sold to Hethking Steamships, Sydney, (Hetherington, Kingsbury Pty Ltd, Sydney, managers), renamed Cobargo, 1972 laid up at Sydney, July 1973 United Steamships Ltd., Apia, renamed Samoan Bay, converted to carry sugar and molasses, 1974 Universal Dallas Corporation Inc., Panama (Log & Timber Products Ltd, Singapore, managers), renamed Universal Dallas, 25.01.1976: Arrived at Pontianak for scrapping in 1977.
MV Koraki	1957	1957–1975	3,790 GT	Pulp paper carrier 345.2 ft (105.2 m) x 51.4 ft (15.7 m) x 22.4 ft (6.8 m), launched on 12 June 1957 by Alexander Stephen for Union, powered by a 3,000 hp (2,200 kW), or 2,410 hp (1,800 kW) 6-cylinder 2 SCSA Sulzer diesel, driving a single screw, at up to 12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph), cargo capacity 7,450 cubic metres (263,090 cubic feet), January 1975 laid up at Auckland. August 1975 sold to Maldives Shipping Ltd, Male, renamed Maldive Ambassador. 1984 to Northern Atolls Shipping Ltd, Male (Maldives National Ship Management Ltd, Male, managers), renamed Northern Sun. 25 August 1984 arrived at Karachi for scrapping at Gadani.
SS Koranui Koranui passing Taiaroa Head on 26 April 1887	1883	1885–1889	488 GT	Launched on 21/05/1883 by McIntyre & Co, Paisley at Phoenix Works for Black Diamond Line (W. R. Williams, Wellington), 167.1 ft x 25.1 ft x 14ft, C2cyl (22.5, 42 x 30in), 75nhp, by Muir & Houston Ltd., Glasgow 1-screw, on her delivery voyage she carried 530 tons of coal from Cardiff, leaving on 27 July and, using about 6 tons of coal a day, arrived at Westport, via Cape Town on 3 October 1883, taken over by Union with Black Diamond Line in 1885, wrecked 27/07/1889 on Peige Rocks, Beef Barrels, Blind Bay, French Pass on a Nelson-Wellington voyage, divers recovered 6 boxes of gold from the wreck, worth £21,000. The captain's certificate was suspended for 2 months, as he'd mistaken his position. The court also noted too few lifeboats for a full load of passengers. No lives were lost.
SS Koranui	1914	1920–1953	1,266 GT	Cargo steamer launched as Cleopatra on 13.08.1914 by Schiffswerft von Henry Koch, Lübeck, for Adolph Kirsten, Hamburg, 241.4 ft (73.6 m) x 36.2 ft (11.0 m) x 15.6 ft (4.8 m), or 242.7ft x 45.1ft x 13.5ft, powered by a 800 hp (600 kW), triple-expansion engine by Ottensener Maschfabriek, Ottensen, driving 1 screw, at up to 10 kn (19 km/h; 12 mph), 1919 war reparation for Britain, under The Shipping Controller, 20 October 1920 sold to Union, renamed Koranui, 1 November 1920 left London for Cape Town, Melbourne and Sydney, in 1929 she ran aground in the Tamar, but refloated undamaged, in 1938 she was replaced on the Sydney-Tasmania route by Wanaka, she spent some time around new Zealand, but mainly took cargo from Newcastle, Sydney and Port Kembla to Melbourne and Tasmania, returning with fruit, January 1953 to S P Bell, Sydney for £10,000 for scrap, but sold to J Hagen, Noumea in April 1953, renamed Néo Hébridais II, Soc Maritime et Miniere Hagen, 5.09.1956 scrapped by Hong Kong Rolling Mills Ltd.
MV Koranui	1956	1956–1975	3,722 GT	Cargo steel motor vessel, launched on 3 October 1956 by Alexander Stephen for Union's pulp paper trade, powered by a 1,500 hp (1,100 kW) 5-cylinder 2 SCSA Sulzer diesel engine by George Clark & NEM (Sunderland) and a single screw, at up to 11.5 kn (21.3 km/h; 13.2 mph), 345.4 ft (105.3 m) x 50.5 ft (15.4 m) x 22.4 ft (6.8 m), 6-cylinder (600 x 1040)mm, Sulzer 2 SCSA diesel engine 2,410 hp (1,800 kW), 1 screw, 12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph), 12.12.1974 laid up at Auckland. 10.09.1975 sold to Maldives Shipping Ltd, Male, renamed South Pacific. 1977 to Southern Navigation Corp SA, Panama (Maldives Shipping Ltd, Male, managers), renamed Pride of Baghdad. 1984 to Great Straits Navigation Co SA, Panama (Island Cargo Shipping Agency Sdn Bhd, Penang, managers), renamed Kutub Star. 29.11.1984 to Bangladesh shipbreakers at Chittagong Roads to be scrapped in 1985.
SS Koromiko	1907	1907–1928	2,479 GT	Launched 15 November 1907 by William Doxford & Sons Ltd, Pallion for Union, she was the first turret deck ship regularly operating in New Zealand, 349 ft (106 m) x 49 ft (15 m) x 23.9 ft (7.3 m), driven by a 241 hp (180 kW) T3cyl. (22”, 37” & 51” x 42”) engine, 1 screw, at up to 10 kn (19 km/h; 12 mph), 19.02.1915 hit Wellington wharf. 24.02.1917 stranded at Manukau. 20.07.1917 damaged machinery in the South Pacific. 1.04.1927 laid up at Wellington. 1928 sold to Shun Hong Steamship Co Ltd, Hong Kong. 1936 sold to Yu Chung Steamship Co Ltd, Shanghai and renamed Yu Ping. 12/1941 capsized and sank at Hankou.
MV Koromiko	1947	1947–1967	3,552 GT	Cargo steel motor vessel, the second of the 5300 DW cargo vessels ordered after the war, launched on 22 July 1947 by Alexander Stephen for Union's trans Tasman and east coast routes, powered by a 1,500 hp (1,100 kW) 5-cylinder 2 SCSA Sulzer diesel engine by George Clark & NEM (Sunderland) and a single screw, at up to 11.5 kn (21.3 km/h; 13.2 mph), 345.2 ft (105.2 m) x 50.5 ft (15.4 m) x 22.4 ft (6.8 m), 1 screw, Sulzer Oil 2SA 6cy, 2410bhp, 11.5 knots, collided with vehicle ferry Ewen W Alison at Auckland on 1 December 1951, repairs took about a month, 1952 converted to carry bulk wheat, 1967 sold to San Jeronimo S.S. Co. S.A., Panama - John Manners & Co. Jose Regidor, 1969 managers Jaguar Shipping Corporation Ltd. New Cronulla, 1972 registered at Singapore, 31 December 1974 stranded off Sundarbans, at 21°33'03"N 89°45'E, en route from Philippines to Mongla, with cement, flooded and abandoned.
SS Korowai	1938	1938–1965	2,525 GT	Cargo steamer, launched on 2 May 1938, completed June 1938 by Alexander Stephen & Sons Ltd., Govan, Linthouse yard for Union, 303.8ft x 45.2 ft x 19.6 ft, 1 screw, triple-expansion (21.5, 34 & 56 - 39)in. 200lb. 353NHP, 12 knots, 7.02.1941 stranded at Greymouth, 18.08.1944 on fire off Tokomaru Bay, 1965 sold to Timor Navigation Corp S.A., Panama - Lay San Ing, Dili, Timor, renamed Ermera, 21/11/1969 arrived at Mollers Ltd., Hong Kong, for scrapping in March 1970.
SS Kotuku	1900	1900–1912	1,054 GT	Cargo steamer, ordered by Fearnley & Eger, Christiania from Carmichael, McLean & Co., but the builders went into liquidation and she was completed and launched on 15 May 1900 by Russell & Co, Greenock at Cartsdyke West for Union to replace the 1898 Kakapo. 225 ft x 34.3 ft x 14 ft, T3cyl (17, 27½, 44 x 33in) 112nhp by Ross & Duncan, Glasgow, 9kn, 1-screw. Her delivery voyage took 82½ days from Greenock, via Belfast, Las Palmas, Table Bay, Island of Amsterdam, Cape Otway, Wilson's Promontory, Cape Howe and Watsons Bay to Sydney. 16 May 1912 wrecked North Tip Head, Grey River entrance, Greymouth, outward bound from Dunedin in fog with coal and timber, due to a steering defect and excessive speed.
SS Kowhai	1910	1910–1950	792 GT	Cargo steamer launched on 24 March 1910 by William Harkess & Son Ltd, Middlesborough, as the Devon Coast for 1910 British & Continental S.S. Co. Ltd. (F. H. Powell & Co.), Liverpool, 195ft x 30ft x 11.6ft, T3cyl (16, 27, 44 x 30in), 129nhp, 1 screw, engine aft by Richardsons, Westgarth & Co. Ltd., Middlesbrough, 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph). Her name was changed to Hopeful, after which she was purchased by Union and renamed Kowhai. On 27 March 1913, when leaving Dunedin for Gisborne, she became unmanageable in a gale, drifted against the mole at Otago Heads and was beached, then repaired at Port Chalmers. 14.06.1917 hit Lyttelton wharf. 9.06.1919 stranded at Farewell Spit. Her registration was changed from Dunedin to Sydney in 1923 and she then served the Australian coasts. March 1949 laid up at Melbourne. In 1950 she was sold to Steels & Metals Ltd., Melbourne, but not scrapped until 1957.
MV Kowhai	1952	1952–1973	3,528 GT	Cargo steel motor vessel, launched on 23 April 1952 by Alexander Stephen for Union's east coast routes, 345.2 ft (105.2 m) x 50.5 ft (15.4 m) x 22.4 ft (6.8 m), powered by a 2,410 hp (1,800 kW) 6-cylinder 2 SCSA Sulzer diesel engine and 1 screw, at up to 11.5 kn (21.3 km/h; 13.2 mph), 1973 sold to Cronulla Cia Nav SA, Panama (Jaguar Shipping Corp Ltd, Hong Kong, managers), renamed New Bangkok, 1974 to Bangkok Maritime Inc, Panama (Jaguar Shipping Corp Ltd, Hong Kong, managers). 1975 to Sam U Shipping Co Ltd, Hong Kong, renamed Hualien. 1976 to Kamsa Cia Nav SA, Panama (Ventouris Bros, Piraeus, managers) renamed Kleoniko. 1977 renamed Athinoula. 17.06.1982 laid up at Piraeus under arrest for non-payment of port dues. 19.03.1986 went from Piraeus for scrapping at Lavrio.
MV Kumalla	1956	1956–1973	1,946 GT	Cargo steel motor vessel, launched on 8 August 1956 by Henry Robb, Victoria, Leith for Union's pyrites trade to Yarraville from the shallow draft port of Strahan to Melbourne. Because English migrants manned the ship on its delivery voyage, Australian seamen boycotted her when she arrived in Melbourne, so it was several months before she could start running, 252.5 ft (77.0 m) x 45.6 ft (13.9 m) x 14 ft (4.3 m), cargo capacity 95,915 cu ft (2,716.0 m3), powered by a 1,280 hp (950 kW) 8-cylinder (340 x 570mm), 2 SCSA diesel engine by British Polar, Glasgow and 1 screw, at up to 10 kn (19 km/h; 12 mph), Kumalla means ‘Father’ in the Aboriginal language of the Leichhardt River area. 1973 sold to Hethking Steamships Pty Ltd, Sydney (Hetherington, Kingsbury Pty Ltd, Sydney, managers), renamed Cobargo. 1978 to South Sea Freighters Ltd, Port Vila, (Wm Martin and K W Trueman) 1978 to William M. & Keith M. Trueman, Port Vila, renamed Bismarck Sea. 1980: Ownership reverted to South Sea Freighters. 1982 to Carthage Navigation Co SA, Panama (Clew Enterprises Pte Ltd, Singapore, managers), renamed Avondale. 1982 to Segment Holdings Ltd, Sydney (Hetherington, Kingsbury Pty Ltd, Sydney, managers). 30.10.1985: Sailed Tauranga for Taiwan via Ponape, Caroline Islands. 18.03.1986: Arrived at Kaohsiung for scrapping by Chia Fu Steel Enterprises.
SS Kurow	1909		2,581 GT	1931 laid up, 1933 sold to Moller & Co., Shanghai, renamed Mabel Moller.
MV Kurow	1939		3,900 GT	1965 sold to Norse Shipping Co., Panama, renamed Norse Transporter.
MV Kurutai	1952	1952–1972	3,528 GT	Freighter 267.6 ft (81.6 m) x 41.5 ft (12.6 m) x 17.8 ft (5.4 m), launched on 17 July 1958 by Alexander Stephen for Union's east coast routes, powered by a 1,500 hp (1,100 kW) 5-cylinder 2 SCSA Sulzer diesel engine by George Clark & NEM (Sunderland) and a single screw, at up to 11.5 kn (21.3 km/h; 13.2 mph), 26/02/1952 Cargo General Steel Motor Vessel   Alexander 632 331.0 ft 50.0 ft 23.5 ft 1-Screw. Oil engine.2S.C.SA. 6Cyl. 1972 Cronulla Cia. Nav. S.A., Panama 1972 NEW KEELUNG 1974 Cia. Nav. Keelung S.A., Panama 21/03/1978 arrived at Hong Kong for breaking by Sam Woo Engineering Company 14/05/1978 commenced breaking. 105.21m x 7.92m, 6-cylinder 2 SCSA diesel engine 594 nhp Single screw 11.5 knots.
SS Lady Bird	1851	1876–1881	220 GT	Launched on 10 March 1851 by William Denny & Brothers Dumbarton, Iron Screw Steamer 3 Masts 143.7 ft x 21.3 ft x 19 ft Engine by Caird & Company, Greenock 2cyl 34"34"x24" 70nhp 12kn, 1 screw for H. P. Maples, London, 16/04/1851 as an English Channel ferry, 1853 James Cowie, Geelong - reg Geelong (for Launceston Steamship Co), to run Melbourne-Hobart route, 1855 J Crookes & Partners, Launceston - reg Launceston, 1856 Green & Cleveland, Launceston, 1856 Stephen G Henty, Melbourne - reg Melbourne (1857), 1857 lengthened 323grt, 151.2 x 22.2 x 12ft, 1863 New Zealand Steam Nav Co, Wellington, 1870 J Dransfield & Co,, 1872 New Zealand Steam Ship Co, 1876 Union, 1881 Westport Coal Co, 1883 hulked Despite being recorded as Ladybird in the Denny List, her registration was always Lady Bird. Built 1861 Tonnage 19 Laid up 1866-9 until repaired A 421 gross ton sailing schooner built in Dumbarton in 1851 which operated for the NZ Steam Shipping Co Ltd between 1871 and 1875 linking Onehunga with Taranaki, Nelson, Picton, Wellington, Lyttelton and Dunedin, transhipping passengers and cargo at Wellington for Napier, Poverty Bay and Wanganui, and at Nelson for Westport, Greymouth and Hokitika. Taken over by Union Converted into a hulk at Wellington in 1887 and the first ship to be scuttled at Turakirae Head, she was used for target practice by HMS Challenger on 20 May 1905.
SS Leitrim	1915		9,540 GT	1929 renamed Narbada, 1948 scrapped.
SS Limerick	1898	1898–1917	6,827 GT	SS Limerick was built by Workman, Clark & Co. Ltd., Belfast. in 1898 as SS Rippingham Grange for Houlder Brothers and Company Limited. She was a cargo/passenger ship (420 feet in length), powered by a triple expansion engine which delivered 558 net horsepower to 1 screw, giving her a top speed of 11.5 knots. In 1912, Rippingham Grange was bought by New Zealand Shipping Company and renamed Limerick, being sold to Union in 1913. At the outbreak of war in 1914, she was converted to an armed merchant cruiser, HMNZT 7 (HM New Zealand Transport), in the first group of ships taking the New Zealand Expeditionary Force overseas in October 1914, but remained in the mercantile fleet. On 28 May 1917, on a voyage from Sydney to London with a cargo of frozen meat and general cargo, she was sunk by the German submarine U86 (Friedrich Crüsemann), 140 miles W1/2S from Bishop Rock, with 8 lives lost.
SS Limerick	1925		8,684 GT	1943 torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine near Port Macquarie.
SS Loongana	1904	1904–1922	2,448 GT	The first turbine steamer in Australasia, built as a Bass Strait ferry
SS Maheno	1905	1905–1935	5,323 GT
MV Maheno	1969	1969–1977	4,510 GT	1977 sold to Panama, renamed Jolly Giallo.
SS Mahinapua	1882	1882–1910	493 GT	1910 sold to Emerson Brothers, renamed Sydney.
SS Maitai	1885	1885–1889	275 GT	First steel ship built in New Zealand, or an iron collier launched after a delay when she was stuck on the slipway, being towed off by Grafton and Moa on 5 May 1885, by Luke & Williams, Wellington for Black Diamond Line, 147 ft (45 m) x 22 ft (6.7 m) x 10 ft (3.0 m), 55 hp (41 kW), 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph), taken over by Union with Black Diamond Line in 1885, 2 drowned on 3 June 1889, when she sank after hitting a rock in fog in the Mercury Islands. A court found no negligence.
SS Makura photo	1908	1908–1937	8,075 GT	Launched 14 July 1908 by Alexander Stephen & Sons Ltd, Linthouse, Govan for Union 450 ft x 57.7 ft x 32.1 ft 2 screw. 2xT3Cyl (28.5, 46, 55, & 55 - 48)in. 835NHP. 16 knots (service), 17.5 knots (trials) 216 1st class, 166 2nd class, 124 3rd class, 11.1908 replaced Miowera on the Sydney/Auckland/Suva/Honolulu/Vancouver run. 1.01.1909 was the first Union ship with Marconi’s Wireless Telegraph, able to contact Vancouver from 2,575km (1,600 miles) away at night, or 1,125km (700 miles) by day. 1913 Niagara joined her on the run. 2.1925: Aorangi replaced Makura, which was overhauled, converted to oil burning and transferred to the Sydney-Wellington-Rarotonga-Papeete-San Francisco. 20.06.1927 leaked and on 23.03.1930 had a broken shaft, both in Cook Strait. 15.12.1930 lost an anchor in Wellington and on 15.07.1935 in Rarotonga. 1931/1932: Matson (Oceanic Steamship Company) introduced the Mariposa/Monterey against whom Union could not compete without more subsidy, so the run ended at Wellington on 7.12.1936; her 69th and last voyage, steaming over 2,300,000 miles in 28 years. 12.1936: Sold at Wellington for £16,750 to China Shipbreakers Limited, Shanghai, arrived 8 April 1937 at Shanghai for scrapping.
SS Manapouri	1882	1882–1915	1,783 GT	First to have electric lights Sunk 1945.
SS Manawatu	1873		183 GT	1885 taken over with Black Diamond Line fleet, 1898 sank in Hobsons Bay in collision, salvaged and sold W.H. Smith & Sons, Melbourne.
SS Mangana	1876		752 GT	sold to TSNC, which Union took over in May 1891. 1892 sold to Jouve & Co., Noumea.
SS Manuka photo	1903	1904–1928	4,505 GT	Launched 8/09/1903 by William Denny & Bros, Dumbarton for Union's Trans-Tasman ‘Horse Shoe’ service, as a slightly improved version of Moeraki, 368.7 ft 47.2 ft 31.1 ft, 2 triple-expansion steam engines, 4 cranks (22½, 36.5, 42, 42 x 36in) on the OttoSchlick balanced system, 423nhp, 2 screws, 15k, 193 1st class, 135 2nd class, cargo capacity 3,928 cubic metres (138,740 cubic feet), crew 99, 14.11.1903 trials, 24.11.1903 delivered as Manuka for Union for £114,855. Her maiden voyage to New Zealand was on charter to Houston Line, arrived 14/01/1904, 5.07.1909 aground at Bluff, 1914-1918 trooping service, 30.12.1925 fire at Dunedin, late 1920s on Melbourne-South Island-Wellington route. 1927: She had been laid up at Wellington for 12 weeks when Mararoa went unserviceable. In six hours she was prepared. 16/12/1928 wrecked on Long Point, south of The Nuggets en route from Melbourne to Wellington.
SS Maori	1868	1875–1902	174 GT	Schooner rigged steamer with passenger accommodation for 20. Launched on 6 August 1868 by Blackwood & Gordon, Port Glasgow Steam compound C2cyl (27 - 20in) 60nhp 1-screw. 144.0 ft x 19.1 ft x 9.2 ft. 1869 James Mills & others as Harbour Steamship Co, Otago - reg Dunedin. 1875 Union, 1884 Martin Kennedy (Brunner Coal Co), Greymouth, 1888 Union. 1902 George Dunnett, Auckland NZ - reg Auckland. By 1904 Henderson & Macfarlane, Auckland. A 1905 report said she already belonged to Captain E. F. Allen, of Samoa, but it wasn't until 1907 that she officially transferred to Samoa Shipping & Trading Co Ltd, Auckland, when Captain Orkney had 16 shares, with 48 held by shipbuilders. In 1913 she sank at her moorings in Saluafata Harbour, near Eva, and US aircraft bombed her in 1942, thinking she was a Japanese submarine..
TSS Maori	1906	1907–1946	3,399 GT	Steam turbine ship launched on 25 September 1907 William Denny & Bros, Dumbarton for the Wellington-Lyttelton Night mail, 350' 6'' x 47' 2'' x 26' x 15' 10'' a 220 ft (67 m) long, 33.1 ft (10.1 m) wide, 13.2 ft (4.0 m) deep, steel steamer, with two 3-cylinder (13½, 20½, 31½ x 27in) engines of 108 hp (81 kW), driving twin screw Three shaft Parsons compound turbine 2 DE, 2 SE return tube boilers 152 lbs Howden's. She sank the 299 ton Kintyre (1868), whilst on her time trials on the Clyde, when she reached 21 kn (39 km/h; 24 mph). 1946 United Corp of China, Shanghai. renamed Hwa Lien. 1950 Chung Lien SS Co., Keelung. 6/01/1944 Laid up in Wellington. 1946-1950 Laid up in Keelung. 13 January 1951 Sunk in storm, raised during May 1951, scrapped and portion of hull converted to floating crane barge.
TEV Maori	1952	1953–1972	8,303 GT	Passenger Cargo Ship launched: 27/11/1952 by Princess Margaret at Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd High Walker yard. Completed 10/1953 20/11/1953 Union for Wellington-Lyttelton route carrying 790 passengers, 439.2 x 63.2 x 25.7ft, 2 steam turbines, driving 2 x electric motors, 15000shp by British Thomson-Houston Co Ltd Rugby, twin screws, 21knots. replaced Rangatira. 1953: Her first trials were below design speed which was corrected by a change in propeller pitch. 10.10.1953: Left on her delivery voyage via the Panama Canal. 15.11.1953: Arrived at Wellington for the 11-hour Wellington/Lyttelton service. 27.11.1953: Made her first sailing. 25.12.1959. Following the grounding of Rangatira she picked up her Picton passengers and her normal sailing was only slightly late. 27.02.1962: When berthing stern-first at Lyttelton, she damaged the scow Motu. 29.04.1965: Left for Hong Kong to be converted by Taikoo Dockyard & Engineering Co into a roll-on/roll-off car ferry with stern doors for 90 vehicles and all the cabins on C deck removed. At the time, this was the largest conversion yet attempted. 16.11.1965: Returned to service. Now 7,498 grt. 27.03.1972: Replaced by Rangatira and laid up at Wellington. 9.1972: Replaced Rangatira when she had turbine problems. 16.10.1972: laid up. In total, she had made 6,023 Cook Strait crossings, covering 1069359 carrying 1,239,772 (or 1,220,464) passengers. 1974: Sold to Wiltopps (Asia) Ltd, Hong Kong, for a planned Hong Kong/Taiwan route but resold to Yung Tai Steel & Iron Co, Kaohsiung. 19.01.1974: Left Wellington. 6.03.1974: Arrived in tow of the tug Mariner (Luzon Stevedoring Corp) at Kaohsiung. 18.04.1974: Demolition commenced.
SS Mapourika (from 1921 Anchor's Ngaio)	1898	1898–1921	1,203 GT	Launched at Dumbarton on 7 May 1898 by Wm Denny & Bros for Union.
SS Marama	1907	1907–1937	6,437 GT	1937 scrapped.
MV Marama	1969		4,510 GT	1984 sold to Panama, renamed Marada.
SS Mararoa	1885	1885–1931	2,598 GT	Launched on 29 June 1885 by Denny for Union for £73,475. She was the first triple expansion in New Zealand waters and Denny’s first 3-crank engine. 97.57m x 12.83m x 7.53m, 508 nhp, 1 screw 16 knots. 150 1st class, 120 2nd class, crew 74, cargo capacity 1,839 cubic metres with hydraulic handling gear. 18 September 1885 cruised to Norway with guests and 4 days later took her British shareholders on a day out down the Clyde, before going to London. 2 October 1885 maiden voyage to New Zealand. From 4 December 1885 to September 1886 (when Oceanic’s Zealandia replaced her) she ran the Auckland-Sydney-Honolulu-San Francisco route, being the first triple expansion liner into San Francisco, where the Marine Engineers Society presented her with 3 brass eagles, carried on the engine tail rods. 17.10.1894 fire at Port Chalmers. 1906 transferred to the Lyttelton route when it became daily, until 1914, when Wahine joined the route. 7.1915 returned to the Lyttelton route when Wahine was requisitioned. 24.02.1917 Ran aground off Pencarrow Head. 7.05.1918 fire at Wellington. 11.1918: During the influenza epidemic, Union was so short of crew that only Mararoa operated Wellington/Lyttelton. 1923 with Wahine and Maori back on the Lyttelton route, Mararoa became the relief steamer. 14.06.1925 sprang a leak en route from Wellington to Lyttelton. 5.1927 relief steamer for Maori/Wahine annual overhauls. Made three round trips. 4.06.1927 her hydraulics failed and she was replaced at short notice by Manuka and never returned to service. Laid up at Wellington in reserve. 16.02.1931 After the hull was stripped, she was scuttled in Palliser Bay.
MV Matua	1936	1936–1968	4,166 GT	Steel passenger/refrigerated cargo ship launched on 25 March 1936 by R & W Hawthorn, Leslie & Co Ltd at Hebburn for Union, 355.2 x 50.5 x 21.7ft, 2 x Oil engines, 2SCSA, Sulzer type, 6cyl (600 x 1130mm), 1160nhp by Armstrong Whitworth & Co (Engineers) Ltd, Newcastle, 2 x Screws, 16.5 knots. She started service on 22 August 1936 from New Zealand to Pacific Islands, with 39 1st Class berths, increased to 112 single class in 1939. 1968 sold to Litonjua Shipping Co, Manila and renamed Sultan KL. 1969 constructive total loss after beaching in a hurricane at Manila. scrapped at Kaohsiung in mid 1970.
TSS Maunganui	1911	1911–1957	7,527 GT	Sold 1948 as SS Cyrenia; arrived 1957 at Savona for breaking up
SS Mawhera	1883		554 GT	1885 taken over with Black Diamond Line fleet, 1901 chartered to French Government, renamed Croix du Sud (2), 1902 wrecked Apatiki Island.
SS Miowera	1892	1908–1916	3,393 GT	Built by Swan & Hunter, Newcastle. Wreck remains in Avarua Harbour.
SS Moa	1864		188 GT	1894 purchased from Black Diamond Line, Wellington, 1897 sold to Wellington S.P. Co.
SS Moana	1897	1897–1927	3,914 GT	Launched on 24 December 1896 at William Denny's Leven Yard, Dumbarton to replace Monowai on the Auckland-Sydney-San Francisco service. 350.4 ft x 44.1 ft x 32.6 ft, T3cyl (33, 53.5, 85 x 54in), 531nhp, 1 screw. She had 180 first and 116 second class berths. In 1897 she was the largest Union ship, with a speed of 16.5 kn (30.6 km/h; 19.0 mph). When the USA annexed Hawaii in 1900, trade was restricted to US ships and she moved to trans Tasman routes. In 1901 she replaced Warrimoo on the Vancouver run, until replaced by Makura in 1908. From 1911 to 1920 she served Wellington-Sydney-San Francisco, until replaced by Tahiti. From 13 March 1921 she was laid up at Port Chalmers, until dismantled there in 1927. On 27 November 1930 she was sold to Otago Harbour Board to sink beside the outer mole at Otago Heads.
SS Moeraki	1902	1902–1933	4,392 GT	Launched on 9 August 1902 by William Denny & Bros, Dumbarton for Union, 368.7 ft x 47.2 ft x 31.2 ft, 2 x 4cyl (22.5, 36.5, 42, 42 x 36in), 423nhp, 2 screws, She ran at up to 15.3 kn (28.3 km/h; 17.6 mph), had 190 berths and mainly served Sydney, Auckland and Wellington. In 1929 she replaced Suva between Sydney and Fiji, but was withdrawn in September 1930 due to the depression. In August 1933 she was scrapped at Osaka.
SS Mokoia	1898	1898–1945	3,502 GT	Launched on 4 August 1898 by Wm Denny & Bros, Dumbarton for Union, 330.0 ft x 43.1 ft x 30.9 ft x 22.9 ft, T3cyl (28, 44.5, 70 x 54in), 1 screw, she had berths for 356 passengers and could run at up to 15.25 kn (28.24 km/h; 17.55 mph). She was a 1914–18 troop ship, laid up in December 1920 at Port Chalmers, breaking up started in January 1929, she was partially sunk in Carey's Bay on 4 March 1931, raised on 16 September 1941, cut to the waterline for scrap, then sunk on 28 November 1945 at Otago Heads, to strengthen the mole.
SS Monowai	1890	1890–1926	3,433 GT	Launched 11 December 1889 and completed 4 April 1890 by William Denny & Bros, Dumbarton for Union. Monowai was a steel, single screw, 2 masted steamer, 330 ft (100 m) x 42.2 ft (12.9 m) x 34 ft (10 m), with a 3-cylinder, 330nhp engine, driving her at up to 13 kn (24 km/h; 15 mph). In 1926 she was stripped to a hulk at Port Chalmers and sold to Gisborne Harbour Board, who scuttled her as a breakwater on 16 December 1926.
SS Monowai	1925	1925–1960	10,852 GT	Ex-SS Razmak (1925–1930); sold 1960 in Hong Kong for breaking up
SS Moreton	1882	1891–1896	581 GT	Built in July 1882 by W. Walker & Co, Rotherhithe, 75 hp (56 kW), 181 ft (55 m) x 27.1 ft (8.3 m) x 10.9 ft (3.3 m), C2cyl (23, 40 x 30in), 75hp, by James Watt & Co., London, 1 screw for William Howard Smith and registered at Melbourne on 3 August 1883, September 1886 sold to TSNC, which Union took over in May 1891. July 1896 sold to Iwata Sadajiro, Fukuyama, renamed Iwai Maru, wrecked off Ayasatozaki, Riknzen, Kinkosan on 12 June 1897.
SS Moura	1899	1899-1915	2,027 GT	Launched 28 December 1898 by Armstrong Whitworth as North Lyall for North Mount Lyall Copper, 1899 sold to Union and renamed Moura, 1915 sold to Douglas SS, renamed Hai Hong. 1928 renamed Mactan and scrapped in 1956.
SS Natone	1900		70 GT	passenger tender at Wellington, 1945 sold to A. Long, Wellington.
SS Navua	1904	1904-1924	2,930 GT	Launched 27 May 1904 by David J Dunlop & Co, Inch Yard, Port Glasgow for Union, 300.0 ft x 42.2 ft x 25.8 ft , 2-Screw, 2xT3cyl (17, 28.5, 47 x 33in), 254nhp. 220 1st, 136 2nd class. 1924 laid up, 1927 sold to Khedivial Mail Steamship & Graving Dock Co and renamed Roda. Scrapped by P.C.Gallia, Egypt September 1932.
MV Navua	1955	1955-1972	1,952 GT	Launched 24 February 1955 by Henry Robb Ltd,Victoria yard, Leith for Union, 267 ft 3 in x 41 ft 7 in x 15 ft 11 in, Oil 2SA 5cyl (480 x 700mm), by George Clark (Sunderland) Ltd. 1 screw, 1,500 bhp, 11 knots. She was built to carry bananas from Fiji and so had a white hull, repainted the usual bronze green in 1960, when she became a coaster, being the first ship at Island Harbour, Bluff, on 29 August 1960. In 1971 she was sold to Guan Guan Shipping Pte. Ltd., Singapore, renamed King Horse, 1985 to Nan Wah Enterprise, Honduras, renamed Kin Horse I. 1985 scrapped in Fujian Province.
HMS Nelson	1814	1907-1920	2,337 GT	Laid down at Woolwich in 1809, but obsolete when launched and used as a training ship, later anchored at Williamstown, her anchors, chains and bronze propeller were sold and decks removed and she was sold to Union as a coal hulk for the Tasmania coal mine at Beauty Point from 1907. In 1911 she sank with 600 tons of coal, due to a corroded seacock was towed to Hobart in 1915 and scrapped between 1920 and about 1928, at Shag Bay for her hull copper and English oak timber.
SS Ngahere	1908		1,090 GT	1922 chartered from the Blackball Coal Co., 1924 wrecked Greymouth.
MV Ngahere	1966		4,548 GT	1988 sold to Foojadii Shipping Co., Mahe, renamed Sea Horse.
SS Ngakuta	1913		1,775 GT	1922 chartered from the Blackball Coal Co., 1942 purchased by Union, 1952 scrapped.
MV Ngakuta	1962		4,576 GT	1983 sold to Panama, renamed Giant Treasure.
MV Ngapara	1966		4,548 GT	1986 sold to Panama, renamed Kent Brilliant.
SS Ngatoro	1910		1,140 GT	1922 chartered from the Blackball Coal Co., 1942 purchased by Union SS Co., 1949 sold to Madrigal Shipping Co., Manila, renamed Aeolus.
MV Ngatoro	1962		4,576 GT	1976 sold to Florvik Cia Nav, Piraeus.
RMS Niagara	1913	1913–1931	13,415 GT	Transferred to Canadian-Australasian Line and sunk by a mine in 1940 off Bream Head
SS Ohau	1885	1885–1899	411 GT	She and sister ship, Taupo, were built by William Denny & Brothers. Ohau arrived on 14 January 1885 and Taupo on 10 March 1885. Ohau sank whilst carrying timber and coal. She was supposed foundered in a heavy gale. Last seen off Cape Campbell on 12 May 1899. Some wreckage was found near Castlepoint. Lost with all 22 crew. An inquiry into the loss dismissed claims that the ship was too low in the water. A council-published heritage trail says locals still find coal on the shore near Cape Campbell, likely from the Ohau.
SS Omana	1915		2,550 GT	1930 taken over with R.S. Lamb & Co., Sydney, 1951 sold to Chandris, Piraeus, renamed Youla Chandris.
SS Omapere	1882	1881–1924	601 GT	Launched on 20 April 1882 by William Denny & Bros, Leven Yard, Dumbarton for Union, 180.3 ft x 29.2 ft x 14.4 ft, C.2-cyl. (24½” & 42¾” x 30”) 80 RHP. 1903 sold to Koe Guan, Penang, which became Eastern Shipping Co. Ltd. 1921 scrapped and her engine was installed in Kopah.
SS Oonah	1888	1891–1922	1,758 GT	Launched 17 December 1887 by A. & J. Inglis Ltd., Pointhouse for TSNC as a passenger/cargo, steel steamer, for the Hobart-Sydney ferry, with cabins and public rooms amidships, 290.3 ft x 35.8 ft x 21.0 ft x 13.2 ft , T3cyl (25, 40, 68 x 48in), 298nhp, 1 screw, 24 April /1888 TSNC, May1891 Union took over TSNC. After a brief stint on the New Zealand coast, following protests, she returned to her old route until 1896. She then ran Launceston-Melbourne, except for a brief return to Hobart-Sydney in World War I, until October 1934. 1.01.1922 transferred to Tasmanian Steamers, another P&O subsidiary. In 1925, at the mouth of the Yarra River, she collided with Cooma, both ships having large holes in their bows, but staying afloat. In mid 1936 she was scrapped at Osaka.
SS Opihi	1886		1,117 GT	as Lilla (sailing ship), 1914 purchased from Pettersen & Ullenaes, Porsgrund as hulk, 1917 Sold to Opihi Shipping Co., Lyttelton, converted to steamer, 1924 returned to Union, 1936 scuttled.
SS Oreti	1877		218 GT	1888 purchased from J. Kilgour, 1897 sold to Wellington S.P.Co.
SS Orowaiti	1882		516 GT	1887 taken over with Westport Coal Co., 1903 sold to Huttenbach, Penang, renamed Pulo Riman.
SS Orowaiti	1921		6,684 GT	1924 wrecked off California.
SS Ovalau	1891		1,229 GT	1903 sold to Burns, Philp & Co., Sydney.
SS Paloona	1899		2,771 GT	as Zealandia, 1908 purchased from Huddart Parker, Melbourne and renamed, 1922 laid up, 1928 scuttled Otago.
SS Pateena	1883	1881–1924	1,212 GT	Launched in July 1883 by A. & J. Inglis Ltd, Pointhouse and registered by TSNC on 8 January 1884, which Union took over in May 1891. 240.0 ft x 31.7 ft C2cyl, 938 & 76 - 48in) 90lb. 333nhp by A. & J. Inglis Ltd., Glasgow. 1-screw. 1924 sold for scrapping, the hull being sunk at Otago Heads on 27 May 1926 to strengthen the mole.
MV Pateena	1958		2,099 GT	1976 sold to Maldives, renamed Maldive Republic.
SS Penguin	1864	1879–1909	874 GT	Sunk 12 February 1909 off Cape Terawhiti; 75 deaths
SS Phoebe	1851	1876–1878	613 GT	First survey made in Sydney Phoebe 650 tons and 120hp, she operated a monthly service between Onehunga and Bluff, via New Plymouth, Nelson, Picton, Wellington, Lyttelton and Port Chalmers. The voyage was slated to commence on the 24th of each month, reaching Bluff on the 5th of the following month, and commencing the northbound voyage next day, to arrive at Onehunga on the 17th of the month. Phoebe, an iron screw steamer of 397 tons, 120 horse power, 5 bulk heads, built in Dumbarton in 1851, formerly on the Cape of Good Hope mail service, and 1863 from Bermuda. launched 2 August 1851 completed 1 September 1851 by Alexander Denny, Albert Yard, Dumbarton, for Patrick Brenan & Co, Liverpool, trading as Preston & Co. Iron, 3 Masts, 585 grt / 397 nrt, later 613g 417n. 172 ft 8 in x 26 ft x 15 ft 6 in, 2-cylinder jet-condensing engine by Tulloch & Denny, Dumbarton. 1856 P Brennan, Waterford, 1857 Union Steamship Co, Southampton, 1861 Zachariah Pearson, London, 1862 Intercolonial Royal Mail Steam Packet Co Ltd, London, 1864 Panama, New Zealand & Australia Royal Mail Steam Packet Co, London, 1869 Thomas Henderson (Circular Saw Line), Auckland, 1869 John Martin (New Zealand Steam Shipping Co), Wellington, 1876 Union, 1878 J & A Brown, Newcastle NSW, 1901 Einerson & Jorgensen, Sydney, 1901 hulked, 1904 scrapped at Sydney.
SS Poherua photo	1890	1887–1915	1,175 GT	Launched as Croydon on 4 January 1890 by William Harkess & Son Ltd., Middlesbrough, for W. F. Connor & Co., London. 221.5 ft x 32.0 ft x 15.6 ft, triple-expansion (17, 28, 47 x 33in) by Alexander Shanks & Son Ltd, Arbroath, 127nhp, 1 screw. Laid up on completion until sold to Union in August 1890 and renamed Poherua, 15.10.1901 grounded at Cape Stephens. 27.05.1911 ran aground in the Grey River. 11.06.1914 on fire at Dunedin. 6.01.1916 grounded at Dunedin. 8.10.1916 ran aground off Akaroa. 1921 laid up at Wellington, 1924 scuttled. In September 1923 she was stripped in Wellington and on 9 February 1924 scuttled 4 mi (6.4 km) SSE of Turakirae Head.
MV Poolta	1921		1,675 GT	1925 taken over from Tasmanian Government, 1952 sold to Chandris, Piraeus, renamed Despo Chandris.
MV Poolta	1959		2,085 GT	1976 sold to Bulkships Containers Ltd, Hobart.
MV Port Waikato	1929	1947-1959	668 GT	Around 1920 Dublin Shipbuilders Ltd built the frame. After the yard closed it was sold to Henry Robb Ltd, Victoria, Leith, and re-erected at Leith. Launched 1 October 1929 for Captain Alexander F. Watchlin, Auckland, 180.2 ft x 29 ft x 10.8 ft. Machinery aft. 2.S.C.SA. 4cyl. (16 - 20in) 120lb. 93NH by Fairbanks, Morse & Co, she was on charter to Holm & Co to serve the Chatham islands, from December 1940 until sold to Union in 1947, 1959 to Lanena Shipping Co., Hong Kong. BeloitP. 26/06/1961 Hellgers Ltd began scrapping at Hong Kong.
SS Pukaki	1887	1887–1915	1,345 GT	Launched 24 May 1887 for Union by William Denny & Bros, Dumbarton, 1345 grt 230 ft x 36 ft 2 in, 1-screw, Q4cyl (16, 24, 32, 47 x 36in), 182nhp, 10½ knots. Sold in 1915 to William Crosby & Co, Melbourne. From 1924 she was based at Shanghai, with Foo Chong Steam Ship Co, (renamed Foo Kong). 1928 Wen Kee & Co (Zung Wen Ping), 1933 Kin Sing Li (renamed Foo Nan), 1935 Foo Ning Steamship Co, 1937 scrapped.
SS Rakanoa photo	1895	1896–1878	2,246 GT	Launched as Bells on 14 December 1895 by William Dobson & Co, Low Walker (a yard bought by Vickers-Armstrong and closed by National Shipbuilders Security) for G & CR Bell, Newcastle, 280 x 38.2 x 19.7ft, T3cyl (21, 35 & 57 x 39ins), by Blair & Co Ltd, Stockton-on-Tees, 206nhp 1 screw. On 5 June 1896, during fitting out, she was sold to Union. She arrived at Port Chalmers via Amsterdam and Delagoa. Cargo was carried on Calcutta, Pacific islands, Newcastle and New Zealand coastal routes. September 1908 found the drifting Hawea and towed her to Sydney. 6 October 1915 and 29 June 1919 aground in Otago Harbour. 30 September 1916 fire in the Hauraki Gulf. 15 August 1920 grounded at Fiji. Her last cargo trip was in July 1925 and she was then stripped to a coal hulk. On 23 April 1928 Terawhiti towed her with a cargo of scrap and she was blown up 4.5 mi (7.2 km) off Turakirae Head.
TEV Rangatira	1930	1931–1965	6,152 GT
TEV Rangatira	1971	1972–1976	9,387 GT
SS Ringarooma	1875	1878–1901	1,096 GT	An iron, single screw, 2-masted steamer launched on 19 April 1875 by Thomas Wingate for McMeckan, Blackwood & Co, Melbourne 17/09/1875, 245.1 ft (74.7 m) long, 30.1 ft (9.2 m) wide, 14.2 ft (4.3 m) deep, steel steamer, with two 2-cylinder (40 & 88 - 40in) engines of 300 hp (220 kW), bought in 1878 by Union (see Albion), 1901 sold to G. Kunst, Samoa and renamed Samoa. 1903 T Hashimoto, Nagasaki and renamed Geiho Maru, with a new engine and boiler T3cy. (16, 26 & 43 -30in) by Kawasaki Dockyard. Kobe. 1912 I Hizume, Tarumi. 1914 Hokuyo Kisen KK, Tarumi Scrapped in Japan 1925, but also reported foundered in December 1913.
MV Risdon	1959		4,125 GT	1975 sold to Maldives, renamed Maldive Navigator.
SS Rosamond	1884	1888–1936	721 GT	Launched in May 1884 by the Dutch Steamboat Company in Fijenoord, trialled for Robert Thomson, London on 27 June 1884, 54.68m x 8.44m x 4.11m, iron, 90 hp, 2-cylinder (23in, 13in x 30in) compound inverted engine. She initially traded cattle and rice between Bangkok and Singapore, then went to Borneo, Tonqnin and China and was chartered to take Russian troops and exiles from Vladivostok to Nikolayevsk-on-Amur and Dui, near Alexandrovsk-Sakhalinsky. From 1 October 1886 she took tea from Hong Kong to Darwin, Thursday Island, Cooktown, Townsville, Brisbane and Newcastle, where her New Zealand cargo was transhipped and she took 1,000 tons of coal to Wellington, arriving on 17 November. There she was chartered by Brunner Coal Company for 2 years and reached Dunedin on 3 December 1886, going on to Greymouth for Brunner coal, 28.06.1888 collided with Spec at Wellington. Union took over Brunner's ships on 10 August, 1888, 10 March 1898 aground at Farewell Spit, 25.10.1900 hit Lyttelton wharf, 25.08.1908 hit Onehunga wharf, 20.08.1910: collided with Kotuku at Onehunga, 14.02.1911 fire in Cook Strait, 26.02.1911 damaged in Cook Strait, 13.11.1911 aground at Manukau, 14.08.1916 hit Napier wharf, 28.03.1920 aground in French Pass, 18.05.1921 laid up at Wellington, where she was converted to an oil barge from 17.05.1924, July 1936 towed by Kalingo to Auckland for scrapping, 20.04.1946 hull towed by Maui Pomare to sink 320 km (200 mi) from Auckland.
SS Roscommon	1902	1913–1917	6,674 GT	A 450.5 ft x 55.2 ft x 30.6 ft ship, with 2 x triple expansion (20, 33.5, 56 x 45in) engines, 662nhp, 3,500 ihp, 2 screws, 13 knots, launched by Workman, Clark & Co, Belfast on 23 January 1902 as Oswestry Grange for Houlder Brothers. She had accommodation for 46 1st class, 320 3rd class and 5 holds, 3 of them refrigerated. On 26 April 1912 New Zealand Shipping Company bought and renamed her Roscommon. In 11 July 1912 she was sold to Union. On 24 July 1917 she was taken by the Liner Requisition Scheme. On 21 August 1917 the German submarine U-53 sank her 20 miles NE of Toraigh Island, en route from Manchester to Australia, with no loss of life.
SS Rotoiti	1898	1898–1912	1,159 GT	Denny for Onehunga-New Plymouth ferry. NSS renamed her Manaia. 1926 loss on Whakahau with no death
SS Rotokino	1890		2,064 GT	1905 sold to Japan, renamed Nanyetsu Maru No.2.
SS Rotomahana	1879	1879–1921	1,727 GT	The name was used by at least two other ships of the era. The first mild steel ship in the Union fleet. Launched on 6 June 1879 by William Denny & Bros, Dumbarton Leven Yard for Union's Wellington-Sydney-Melbourne route. On 8 October 1879 she left London for New Zealand via Cape Town and Melbourne, 195 x 1st, 105 x 2nd, 53 crew, 298.2 ft. x 35.2 ft. x 23.7 ft, C2cyl (47",82"x48") 450nhp 2000ihp 15 knots, 1-screw. 6 boilers, 1901 reboilered, fitted with taller funnel and without yards on the foremast, 12/1920 laid up at Melbourne. 1925 to Power & Davies, Melbourne for dismantling. Scrapped in 1926. 29 May 1928 her hull was towed out from Port Phillip and scuttled in Bass Strait.
SS Rotorua	1876	1876-1937	925 GT	Launched 6 September 1876 by William Denny for Union 226.0 ft x 27.2 ft x 20.4 ft C.2-cyl. (34” & 60” x 39”) 187nhp. 1000 IHP, iron, cargo screw steamer. In 1903 sold to Koe Guan & Company, Penang, 1917 to Rotorua Steamship Co., Ltd., (W. J. Carroll), Hong Kong, 1918 to T. W. Bowern, Shanghai, 1922 to San Peh S. N. Co., Ltd, renamed Shinlee, 1932 to Tong Kong S. N. Co., Ltd, renamed Tong Kong, 1937 scrapped.
SS Samson	1853	1872–1878	181 GT	150 ft (46 m) long, 17.6 ft (5.4 m) wide x 8.3 ft (2.5 m) deep 70 hp (52 kW). In 1872 she was registered in Dunedin by J Mills and other Union shareholders. launched 13 December 1853 at the Clydeholm Yard, left Greenock on 4 May 1854, 145 grt, 120 ft x 17.2 ft, with a 2-cylinder (30"x36") oscillating engine by Thomas Wingate & Co., Glasgow for Australasian Steam Navigation Co, Sydney, 1861 lengthened, 176grt, 1866 Gippsland Steam Navigation Co, Melbourne, 1871 Charles Clark, Auckland, 1871 John S Macfarlane, Auckland, 1872 Union 181grt , 1878 E Jones & W L Newman, Wellington, 1878 West Wanganui Coal Co Ltd, Wellington. Wrecked 23 July 1881 on South Beach, Waitara River, refloated but holed on the wreck of ps Paterson and became total loss.
MV Seaway Princess	1976		4,188 GT	1986 scrapped.
MV Seaway King	1964		2,961 GT	1977 sold to Best Shipping Co., Singapore, renamed Sentosa Trader.
MV Seaway Prince	1975		4,174 GT	1986 scrapped.
MV Seaway Queen	1964		2,961 GT	1980 sold to Labuan, renamed Lautan Rani.
SS Snark	1881	1881–1905	18 GT	Open steam launch, built of steel, by William Denny & Bros, Dumbarton for Union, as a Gisborne tender, and assembled by Morgan & Cable & Co, Port Chalmers. Like Boojum, the name was from Lewis Carroll's nonsense poem, The Hunting of the Snark. Between 1878 and 1882 Denny built 3 steamers named Snark. 50.0 ft x 12.0 ft x 4.6 ft, with a 6 hp (4.5 kW), single 9" cylinder, 8" stroke, engine, built by Fleming & Ferguson Ltd, Paisley, 1 screw, 1905 sold to Karamea SS Co, Wellington, renamed Karamea, used for carrying railway sleepers from Charleston, where she sank and was refloated in 1906, 1906 laid up, 1906 beached.
SS Southern Cross	1873	1881–1906	262 GT	Launched 5 November 1873 by J T Eltringham (at Stone Quay, South Shields) for Watts Bros, Napier, a schooner rigged, iron, single screw, steamer, 135.2 ft (41.2 m) x 23.7 ft (7.2 m) x 9 ft (2.7 m), with a 2-cylinder (18.5 & 36 x 24in), 50 hp (37 kW) engine by Pattison & Atkinson, Newcastle driving her at up to 8.5 kn (15.7 km/h; 9.8 mph). In 1878 she was sold to Auckland Steam Ship Co Ltd and in 1881 to Union for £8,500. In 1897, to comply with local subsidy law, Union sent a staff member, Fred Cramond, to be their agent in Papeete and the ship was renamed Croix De Sud. On return in 1901 she was hulked, her machinery being put into the newly launched Gael in 1904. On 24 April 1906 Duchess towed her to be scuttled in Cook Strait.
SS Squall photo	1904		369 GT	1906 purchased from Stewart Bros., Auckland, 1912 transferred to Richardson & Co., Napier, 1916 wrecked.
SS Sussex	1900		6,957 GT	1922-1929 chartered from Federal Line, 1929 scrapped.
SS Suva	1877		293 GT	1882 purchased from McEwan & Co., Melbourne, 1888 wrecked Westport.
RMS Tahiti	1904	1904–1930	5,323 GT	Ex-RMS Port Kingston (1904–1911); sunk 12 August 1930 off Rarotonga; no death
SS Taiaroa	1875	1876–1886	438 GT	Built by Albion Shipping, bought from Albion Line in 1876, 36 died in Waiau Toa River wreck on 11 April 1886
SS Taieri	1889		1,668 GT	SS Cairntoul 1890 renamed . 1908 transferred to Maoriland SS Co., Wellington, renamed Lauderdale.
SS Takapuna (ship).jpg	1883	1883–1924	1,035 GT (from July 1901)	Launched on 5 June 1883 by Barrow Shipbuilding Co Ltd (the first not built by Denny) for Union for £57,000 for the Lyttelton/Wellington/ New Plymouth/Onehunga passenger route. 67.05m x 9.78m x 5.34m, iron, 2-cylinder compound inverted engines, 241 nhp, single screw, 12 knots, 200 passengers, delivered from Greenock via Saint Vincent and Hobart to Port Chalmers. 23 November 1883 aground at Cape Egmont, though the hole wasn't discovered until she was in dry dock a few months later. 10 November 1896 stranded at New Plymouth and again on 31 July 1903 and 19 April 1904. 13 May 1899 damaged off Port Nicholson. 11 February 1901 aground at French Pass. July 1901 re-engined. 20 August 1904 damaged her propeller off Pencarrow. 6 May 1908 struck the wharf at Wellington, then on 24 October 1908 at New Plymouth. 18 November 1909 aground at Jackson’s Head as the light was out. 22 June 1911 hit eastern breakwater at Westport, breaking her stern post off. From 5 November 1912 she started a Napier-Gisborne-Auckland route until replaced by Arahura on 19 February 1916. From 2 January 1917 laid up at Wellington and used for storage, except when she was a hospital ship in the 1918 influenza epidemic. November 1924 sold to William Borlase & James Todd, Dunedin, to break up at Wellington. 18 June 1925 hull scuttled in Cook Strait.
SS Talune	1890	1891–1925	2,087 GT	Launched 19 April 1890 at Leith and sold to TSNC, which Union took over in May 1891. Talune was a steel, single screw, 2 masted steamer, 280 ft (85 m) x 38.2 ft (11.6 m) x 13.5 ft (4.1 m), with a 3-cylinder, 259nhp engine. In 1923 she was cleaned, but, in May 1925, was sold for scrapping by Todd & Borlase at Dunedin and on 22 January 1926 was sunk as part of a breakwater at Waikokopu.
SS Talune	1930		2,742 GT	1959 sold to Transporte de Minerales, Panama, renamed Amos.
SS Tamahine	1925	1925–1963	1,989 GT	Launched on 8 July 1925 by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd at Neptune Yard, Low Walker for Union's Picton route, with 270 berths, 262.9 x 40.2 x 22.2ft, 2 x T4cyl (18, 29, 33 & 33 x 27ins), 440nhp, 2 x Screws, 16.5knots 1963 sold to Hong Kong Shipping Co, Panama, renamed Kowloon Star, 1967 Cia de Nav Sunlite SA, Panama, April 1969 scrapped at Hong Kong by Leung Yau.
SS Taranaki	1865	1869–1878	415 GT	A 2-masted, iron, screw steamer launched on 16 October 1865 by Blackwood & Gordon, Castle Yard, Port Glasgow for NZSN 415 grt / 298 nrt 1-screw London 22/11/1865, 1871 New Zealand Steam Shipping Co, Wellington. 1876 Union. 29 November 1878 wrecked in fog on Karewa Island, where her boiler remains. The 75 passengers landed on the island. She had previously sunk on Boat Harbour Rock (now called Taranaki Rock), at the entrance to Tory Channel / Kura Te Au, on 19 August 1868, but had been taken over by Union and raised and refitted in September 1869. The Court of Inquiry found that the captain should have taken depth soundings and charged him the court costs, but didn't suspend him. However, as the captain was popular for introducing regular shipping calls at Tauranga he was given a presentation of appreciation a few weeks later. The channel between the island and Matakana is about 11 fathoms (66 ft; 20 m) deep. She linked Onehunga with New Plymouth, Nelson, Picton, Wellington, Lyttelton and Dunedin. For 6 months she ran a Manukau to Bluff monthly Government mail service from June 1866 for NZSN.
SS Tararua	1864	1878–1881	563 GT	1878 taken over with Blue Emu Line (see Albion), 1881 wrecked Southland; loss of 131 lives. 828, sunk 29 April 1881 off Waipapa Point.
SS Tarawera	1882	1882–1927	2,003 GT	Launched on 30 September 1882 by William Denny & Bros, Leven Yard, Dumbarton for Union 285 ft (87 m) x 36.2 ft (11.0 m) x 22.6 ft (6.9 m), C2cyl (38 & 68 x 43)in. 253nhp, 12kn. 23 July 1921 laid up at Port Chalmers. 19 December 1927 sold, stripped by W. Borlase, Dunedin, and the hulk sold to Rosshavet Whaling Co, Sandefjord. 1927 towed to Paterson's Inlet, Stewart Island for use as a store ship for the Norwegian whaling fleet. 21 August 1933 towed to Paterson Inlet / Whaka a Te Wera and grounded to form a breakwater for small boats, which was still there in 1950.
SS Tarawera	1958		2,013 GT	1974 sold to Maldives renamed Maldive Quest.
SS Taupo	1875	1875–1881	720 GT	Launched 20 March 1875 by William Denny & Bros, Dumbarton for Union. Taupo , a sister ship of Hawea, was a single screw, 2 masted steamer, 215.8 ft (65.8 m) x 27.3 ft (8.3 m) x 14.1 ft (4.3 m), with a 2-cylinder engine. On 1 February 1879 she ran aground at the entrance to Tauranga Harbour, but was refloated on the 2 March 1881. She was wrecked on 29 April 1881 off Mayor Island after seams opened, while under tow to Auckland.
SS Taveuni	1940		2,826 GT	as Argentinean Reefer, 1968 purchased from Lauritzen, Copenhagen and renamed, 1972 sold to Panama, renamed Wan Lee.
SS Taviuni	1890	1890–1924	1,465 GT	Launched 20 May 1890 by William Denny & Bros at Leven Yard, Dumbarton for Union. 250.0 ft x 34.2 ft x 17.9 ft, Q4cyl (18, 27.5, 36, 53 x 39in), 175nhp, 1-screw, 11kn. In 1911 she sank at her Sydney wharf after colliding with Nera. Her captain was suspended for 6 months for taking a course too close to Nera. 1924 W. Waugh Ltd, Balmain, 11 December 1921 laid up at Sydney. June 1924 partly dismantled at Sydney by W. Waugh Ltd and on 12 May 1931 the hull was towed 4 mi to the disposal area off Sydney Heads and the seacocks opened.
SS Te Anau	1879	1880–1924	1,652 GT	Launched 3 November 1879 and completed on 15 December 1879 by William Denny & Bros, Dumbarton for Union, Te Anau was a steel, 1 screw, cargo steamer, 270 ft (82 m) x 34.2 ft (10.4 m) x 22.5 ft (6.9 m), with a 2-cylinder, 200hp engine, 1921 laid up, June 1924 sold to Todd & Borlase, Dunedin, partly scrapped at Port Chalmers and towed to Whanganui to be scuttled as a breakwater on 23 August 1924.
SS Tekapo	1881	1884–1899	2,350 GT	Cargo General Steel Screw Steamer  Built as Cape Clear by Robert Steele & Co., Greenock for Alexander P Lyle (Abram Lyle & Sons), Greenock 8/11/1881. Renamed Tekapo in 1884. 30/09/1881 291.5 ft 38.1 ft 26.2 ft,270nhp 2-cyl. (35” & 70” x 48”) 11kn, 1-screw, 1884 John Darling, Glasgow, 8/1884 James Mills (Union), 16/11/1881 Greenock to Cardiff, to load coal for Port Said and Java, 26/11/1881 struck by hurricane off Ilfracombe, decks swept, boats lost, engine-room leaking and 2 crew injured; put back to Cardiff 28/11, sailed 2/12, 4/1882 chartered to Donald Currie's Castle Mail Packet Co for Cape Town and Algoa Bay, 9/1882 lost 2 propeller blades (Samarang for Malta), repaired Singapore, 25/8/1883 sailed Plymouth with 372 emigrants for Tasmania, 26/10/1883 arrived Hobart, after breaking a piston and almost going aground, 1884 converted to passenger-cargo vessel by William Denny & Brothers with accommodation for 82 saloon and 51 steerage passengers, 17/12/1884 Greenock with about 500 migrants, 23/2/1885 arrived Otago, 1885 New Zealand-India service, 1889 accommodation added for 50 extra passengers, 1890s New Zealand-Australia services, Abram Lyle & Co's first steamer, ran ashore 16/05/1899 in a dense fog on the south side of Maroubra Bay, Sydney - Port Kembla to take bunkers, due to negligence. Total loss. 23/5/1899 wreck bought by owners from underwriters for £380 with a view to possible refloating, 1/6/1899 broke in two in storm, 3/6/1899 sold to Mr Mountney, but scrapped in situ.
SS Terawhiti	1907		260 GT	Launched 16 April 1907 by Ramage & Ferguson for Union, 120.2 ft (36.6 m) x 24.1 ft (7.3 m) x 11.8 ft (3.6 m), steel screw steam tug, T3-cylinder (16, 26, 42 x 27in), 99nhp, 1-screw. 1947 Australian Steamships Pty. Ltd. - Howard Smith, Melbourne. 30 September 1950 sank after a collision with City of Khartoum in Hobson's Bay, Melbourne, with the loss of a fireman. 1951 raised and scrapped.
SS Tofua	1908		4,395 GT	09/12/1907 01/1908 Passenger / Cargo  Steel Screw Steamer by William Denny & Bros for Union's Pacific Islands service 1/06/1908 350.3 ft 48.2 ft 20.5 ft 23.7 ft 2 Screws. 2xT3cy. (22½, 36½ & 59 x 36in) 418nhp,13.5 knots, 101 passengers, 4,899 cubic metres cargo, crew 88, cost £100,297 in 1908. One of 12 Union ships used for war service. 29.05.1919 stranded in Otago Harbour. 20.05.1928 sprang a leak in the Pacific. 1932 came off the Pacific routes and used locally. April 1934 laid up at Auckland, sold for scrap to Miyachi KKK, Kobe, and scrapped at Osaka.
MV Tofua	1951		5,299 GT	22/05/1951 Passenger / Cargo  Steel Motor Vessel 24/10/1951 by William Denny & Bros (the 42nd and final Union ship by Denny) for Union's Pacific Islands fruit services 390.5 ft, 54.9 ft, 26.5ft, 21.5 ft Oil 2SA 2 x 7cyl (600 x 1040mm) Sulzer 7 SD 60 type, 6,800 bhp 2 screws 14.5 knots (service); 18.19 knots (trials) Length 119.02m (390.5ft) 73 first class, 200 deck passengers, crew 72 21.12.1951: Maiden voyage Auckland/Suva/Nukualofa/Vavau/Pago Pago/Apia/Suva. 12.1952: She carried a record 32,269 cases of bananas to Auckland. 1972: She was the sole ship on the route when Taveuni was withdrawn. 1973: Replaced by Union South Pacific and laid up. 1973: Sold to Khymer Shipping Co SA, Panama (Cheung Ming & Co, Hong Kong, managers) and renamed Tack Tai. 19.07.1975: Sold for demolition at Shanghai. or 27 July 1974.
SS Tuatea	1905		112 GT	tender at Gisborne, 1929 sold to J. Perano & Co., Picton.
SS Tyrone	1901	1913–1978	6,664 GT	Steel twin-screw, refrigerated cargo ship, built as Drayton Grange by Workman, Clark & Co, Belfast in 1901 for Houlder Line. Used as a transport ship during the South African War. In 1912 she was purchased by the New Zealand Shipping Co., renamed Tyrone, and in 1913 sold to Union to trade between west of England ports and New Zealand. On 27 September 1913, she ran aground at Rerewahine Point, a mile south of Taiaroa Head, and was a total loss.
MV Underwood	1941		1,990 GT	1944 torpedoed and sunk in English Channel by German torpedo boats.
MV Union Aotearoa	1973	1973–1978	6,306 GT	Chartered from Gannel Shipping Ltd, 1978 sold to China Ocean Shipping, Shanghai, renamed Xing Cheng.
MV Union Auckland	1969	1969–1997	12,782 GT	1969 ex-Columbia, 1976 chartered from Wigmore Ltd, Bermuda and renamed Union Auckland, 1997 sold to Union Shipping NZ, Auckland.
MV Union Australia	1910	1972–1977	3,165 GT	Chartered from Deep Sea Shipping Co., Wellington.
MV Union Dunedin	1978	1983–1986	5,290 GT	1978 ex-Tfl Progress, 1983-1986 chartered from Gursan Investments, Piraeus and renamed Union Dunedin, 1986 off charter.
MV Union Endeavour	1910	1910–1913	13,482 GT	1982 ex-Dagmar Reeckmann, 1986-1991 chartered from Halstead Shipping, Monrovia and renamed Union Endeavour, 1991 off charter, renamed Penelope II.
MV Union Hobart	1910	1976–1984	4,376 GT	renamed Seaway Hobart, 1992 sold to Cyprus, renamed Seaway I.
MV Union Lyttelton	1910	1976–1983	4,376 GT	renamed Seaway Melbourne, 1992 sold to Egypt, renamed Fast Trader.
MV Union Melbourne	1975	1975–1980	10,957 GT	Chartered from Northern Coasters, built by J.J. Sietas, 1980 off charter, renamed Union Trader, then Puma, 1998 European Seafarer, 2004 Stena Seafarer, 2011 ANT 2. Scrapped at Aliaga 2014
MV Union Nelson	1980	1981–1991	1,728 GT	ex-Sunny Karina, 1981 acquired from Aquarius, Hamburg and renamed, 1991 renamed Polynesian Link. 1991 capsized and scrapped.
MV Union New Zealand	1972	1972–1978	3,165 GT	1978 chartered from Deep Sea Shipping Co., Wellington, 1975 sold to Maritime Carriers, New Zealand.
MV Union Rotoiti	1977	1977–1999	23,971 GT	Built by Broken Hill Pty for Union as a Trans Tasman ro-ro, ANZDL 1999–2005, CP Ships 2005–06. Scrapped at Chittagong 2007
MV Union Rotoma	1976	1991–1913	13,978 GT	ex-Rost, Kagoro Ltd, Nassau 1991 bought by Union and renamed, 1997 still in service.
MV Union Rotorua	1976	1976–1998	23,971 GT	Built by Broken Hill Pty for Union as a Trans Tasman ro-ro, scrapped at Alang 1999
MV Union South Pacific	1972	1972–1978	1,594 GT	A Tarros class ro-ro, carrying up to 112 x 20ft containers, or 77 ISO containers, chartered to Union by Sea Containers for 5 years, returned in 1978 and renamed Tarros Hazel. She had a stern ramp, gantry crane and ran a fortnightly Auckland-Suva-Pago Pago-Apia-Nukualofa route.
MV Union Sydney	1972	1974–1977	4,210 GT	ex-Leena Dan, 1974-1977 chartered from Lauritzen, Copenhagen and renamed Union Sydney, until 1977.
MV Union Sydney	1978	1983–1986	5,290 GT	ex-Tfl Prosperity, chartered from Norman Investments Corp., Piraeus and renamed Union Sydney, 1986 off charter, renamed Freeway North.
MV Union Transtasman	1910	1972–1977	3,165 GT	Chartered from Deep Sea Shipping Co., Wellington.
MV Union Wellington	1973	1973–1976	2,638 GT	Built 1973 as Stena Shipper bought by Union, renamed Union Wellington, had 10 other names, in 1982, as train ferry, Speedlink Vanguard, 6 died when she sank European Gateway, scrapped 2013
SS Upolu	1891	1891–1903	1,141 GT	Built by Fleming & Ferguson for Union, sold 1903, sunk 1930, when named Tung An
TSS Wahine	1912	1913–1951	4,436 GT	Ran aground on the Masela Island Reef off Cape Palsu in the Arafura Sea
TEV Wahine	1966	1966–1968	8,948 GT	Sunk 10 April 1968 when she hit Barrett Reef in a cyclone, with 53 deaths.
MV Waiana	1937		3,363 GT	Cargo ship for Union's East Coast service, 1966 sold to Intertrader Shipping Co, Panama, renamed Express Trader, sunk by Viet Cong on Mekong River in 1969.
SS Waihemo	1903	1914–1918	4,286 GT	Cargo steamer, built by Northumberland Shipbuilding as Canada Cape, sunk by a mine in March 1918
SS Waihemo	1919		5,627 GT	Cargo Ship Steel launched 9/10/1919 by Northumberland Shipbuilding, Howdon as War Bastion for The Shipping Controller. Completed 12/1919 for Union 399.5 x 53.0 x 32.8ft, T3cyl (27, 44 & 73 x 48ins), 517nhp by North-Eastern Marine Engineering Co Ltd, Wallsend 1 x Screw 1934 Theofano Maritime Co Ltd (NG Livanos), Chios; renamed Evinos, 1937 Livanos Maritime Co Ltd, Chios, 1950 Cia Maritima Internacional, Panama; renamed Rio, 1951 Matsuoka Kisen KK, Ashiya; renamed Shokyu Maru, 1957 Nippon Suisan KK, Tokyo, 1958 scrapped at Osaka by Taiyo Kaiho KK.
MV Waihemo	1944		7,189 GT	as Dominion Park, 1946 purchased from Canadian Govt. and renamed, 1966 sold to Madrigal Shipping Co., Manila, renamed Maria Susana.
SS Waihi	1881	1882–1907	92 GT	Built in 1881 by William Denny & Bros, Dumbarton for Union, shipped in sections and assembled by Morgan & Cable Ltd, who launched her from Port Chalmers graving dock on 2 June 1882. She was 80 feet x 18 feet x 8 feet of mild steel, and had a 20hp, 2-cylinder (12 & 20 - 12in.) engine, by Fleming & Ferguson Ltd, Paisley, fitted aft. She was originally to run a river trade, but ran Wellington-Patea for a few months before going to the Wellington-Blenheim run until May, 1887, when Kanieri took over her work, but early in 1891 she again ran to Blenheim, in conjunction with the Kanieri, until laid up in May 1897. In December 1897 she went to Gisborne as a tender to the Sydney steamers until October 1905 (as 1904 photo), when she was again laid up. In 1906, she came to Wellington, and was sold in 1907 to Wairau Steamship Company to run Wellington-Blenheim until late in 1909. She was badly in need of repair, and so was laid up in 1914. In 1926 Waihi was in Evans Bay behind Union's laundry; the scene was depicted in a 1919 painting. 1936 scrapped. 1943 Remains removed by explosives.
SS Waihora	1882	1882–1903	2,003 GT	A Denny ship sold to Penang in 1903, Hamburg in 1906, renamed Lysholt and scrapped at Shanghai in 1911.
SS Waihora	1907	1907–1927	4,638 GT	A Swan Hunter ship, sold to Japan in 1927, renamed Tairyu Maru and sunk by bombing in 1944.
SS Waikare	1897	1897–1910	3,071 GT	18/02/1897 Cargo General Steel Screw Steamer William Denny & Bros, Dumbarton 310.1 ft x 41.1 ft x 21.5 ft, 306nhp, T3cyl (26½, 42, 66½ x 48in), 1 screw Union 29/07/1897 Sank on 4 January 1910 after being beached following striking an uncharted rock on the previous day in Dusky Sound.
MV Waikare			3,829 GT	Freighter 267.6 ft (81.6 m) x 41.5 ft (12.6 m) x 17.8 ft (5.4 m), launched on 17 July 1958 by Alexander Stephen for Union's east coast routes, powered by a 1,500 hp (1,100 kW) 5-cylinder 2 SCSA Sulzer diesel engine by George Clark & NEM (Sunderland) and a single screw, at up to 11.5 kn (21.3 km/h; 13.2 mph), General cargo ship 1958-1971 Yard number 665 Length 105.19m (345.1ft) loa; 99.06m (325.0ft) b/p Breadth 15.24m (50.0ft) Depth 7.92m (26.0ft) Draught 6.827m (22.4ft) 6-cylinder 2 SCSA diesel engine 3,000 bhp Single screw 12 knots Cargo capacity 6,112 cubic metres (215,850 cubic feet) 564 cubic metres (19,940 cubic feet) insulated Trans-Tasman service, 9.1958: Delivered as Waikare for Union 12.1958: Arrived in New Zealand for service. 1965: Replaced Waimea in the South Island/Melbourne service. 1975: Sold to Maldives Shipping Ltd, Male, and renamed Maldive Sailor. 19.06.1977 collision with the tanker Japan Daisy off Cape Comorin. 20.06.1977 she was abandoned sinking at 08.24N 76.42E en route from Karachi to Colombo.
SS Waikawa	1907		5,642 GT	as Schlesien (North German Lloyd), war prize, 1915 renamed Maritime, 1915 purchased from Maritime SS Co., London, and renamed Waikawa, 1917 torpedoed and sunk in English Channel.
SS Waikawa	1919		5,677 GT	1934 sold to Tower SS Co, London, renamed Tower Ensign.
SS Waikawa	1944	1946–1959	7,185 GT	General cargo liner built by West Coast Shipbuilders Ltd, Vancouver Length 133.95m (439.5ft) loa; 129.38m (424.5ft) b/p Breadth 17.43m (57.2ft) Depth 10.63m (34.9ft), 628 nhp, Triple-expansion engine by Dominion Engineering Works Montreal Single screw 11.05.1944 delivered as Parkdale Park to the Park Steamship Company. 16.04.1946: Taken over by Union and allocated to the Canadian-Australasian Line Ltd, Montreal for Vancouver-San Francisco-New Zealand-Sydney-Melbourne service, though owned by Canadian Union Line Ltd, Vancouver, renamed Waikawa. 8.12.1958 laid up at Vancouver. 1959 sold to Marine Development & Supply Co SA, Panama and registered to Fulda Marine Corporation, Panama (Marine Industry Corp Ltd, managers) and renamed Fulda. 1968: Sold to World Marine Transportation Corp, Panama. 10.05.1969: Sold to Korean shipbreakers and arrived at Pusan for demolition.
SS Waikouaiti	1914		3,926 GT	Built in Germany as Irmgard. 20 October 1920 sold to Union, renamed Waikouaiti, Ran aground in fog on 28 November 1939 on Dog Island, while en route Sydney to Lyttelton.
SS Waimarino	1900		4,204 GT	as Wyandotte, 1914 purchased from Furness Withy & Co. and renamed, 1926 sold to Chun Young Zan, Shanghai, renamed King Sing.
SS Waimarino	1930		3,067 GT	1957 sold to Manners & Co., Hong Kong, renamed San Eduardo.
MV Waimate	1951	1951-1972	3506 GT	Freighter launched on 8 February 1951 as Kurutai, the 5th of 5 similar ships (Kaitoke, Kawaroa, Komata, Koromiko), 267.6 ft (81.6 m) x 41.5 ft (12.6 m) x 17.8 ft (5.4 m), by Henry Robb for Union, powered by a 1,500 hp (1,100 kW), or 3,040 hp (2,270 kW), 8-cylinder (340 x 570mm) 2 SA diesel by British Polar and a single screw, at up to 10.5 kn (19.4 km/h; 12.1 mph), 345 ft 8 in x 50 ft 5 in x 22 ft 4 in Oil 2SA 8cyl, 1 screw, 1972 Eastern Shipping Lines Inc., Manila, renamed Eastern Planet, 1977 Skyluck S.S. Co. S.A., Panama, renamed Skyluck, Arrived at Hong Kong and anchored with 2,800 Vietnamese refugees (mainly Chinese). These deck cargo passengers paid for the journey and their exit was condoned by the authorities who were glad to see them go. The ship had left Singapore as Skyluck but called at Vietnam as Kylu (with the S and CK painted out). 600, with local relatives, disembarked in the Philippines. She arrived at Hong Kong as Skyluck again. Here 224 were landed. The rest remained on board. 29.06.1979: The anchor chains were cut and the ship drift ashore on Lamma Island. 2,000 were landed and ended up in the Hong Kong reception camps where many remained since they refused to return to their legal place of residence in Vietnam. The ship was refloated. 2.08.1979: Driven ashore by typhoon Hope and finally scrapped where she lay. 1979. scrapped 29/06/1979 beached at Lamma Island, Hong Kong for breaking which commenced 05/1980.
SS Waimea	1909	1927-1935	454 GT	Built by Mackie & Thompson for Anchor. 1939 scrapped and her hull scuttled off Turakirae Head.
MV Waimea File:StateLibQld 1 202895 Waimea II (ship).jpg	1953	1953-1975	3657 GT	Launched on 2 February 1953 by Alexander Stephen & Sons Ltd, Linthouse, Govan for Union. 345.2 ft x 50.5 ft x 28.1 ft, 1-Screw. Sulzer type Oil engine 2S.C.SA. 6Cyl. (600 x 1040)mm. 1975 sold to Marama Nav. S.A. Oceanhandel, Singapore, renamed Arnhem. 1977 Kanaris Shipping Co. S.A., Piraeus, renamed Milos IV. 14/12/1980 went to Gadani Beach for breaking. 7th ship of this class, with tween decks and refrigerated capacity for the Melbourne-South Island-Wellington route replacing Waitaki.
SS Wainui	1886	1887–1927	684 GT	Launched 2 September 1886 and completed the next month by Murray Bros, Dumbarton, for Union. Wainui was a steel, single screw, steamer, 196 ft (60 m) x 28.2 ft (8.6 m) x 14.7 ft (4.5 m), with a 2-cylinder, 95 hp (71 kW) engine, built by Muir & Houston Ltd, Glasgow. From 1906 to 1908 she ran the first Wellington- Picton ferries. From 1924 she ran between Auckland and Gisborne, until being laid up in June 1927, after the passenger service was ended and she was replaced by Waimea. On 14 October 1929 Borlase & McKay, after stripping her at Auckland, scuttled her, as part of a breakwater at Whangaparāoa, for Mr Shakespear.
MV Wainui	1930		1,633 GT	1958 sold to Cia. de Nav Victoria Neptuno, Panama, renamed Amonea.
MV Wainui			8,701 GT	as Whangaroa, 1964 purchased from New Zealand Shipping Co. and renamed, 1970 transferred to British India S.N.Co., renamed Warina.
SS Waiotapu			6,035 GT	as Stolberg (Deutsche-Australische Line), 1919 war reparations, 20 October 1920 sold to Union, renamed Waiotapu, 1946 sold Lambert Bros., London, renamed Victoria Peak.
MV Waipahi photo	1925		1,783 GT	Steel cargo ship launched on 21 May 1925 by Northumberland Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Howdon for Union's Fijian banana trade, 240.3 x 37.5 x 22ft, T3cyl (18.5, 31 & 52 x 36ins), by GT Grey & Co Ltd, South Shields, 223nhp, 1 screw, 10knots, later used for New Zealand coastal service, stranded on 31.08.1928 in Cook Islands, 30.10.1935 at Wellington and on 15.06.1944 in Otago Harbour. 25.02.1943 on fire between New Plymouth and Nelso, laid up on 11 December 1952 at Wellington, sold in 1955 to Aegean Navigation Typaldos Bros Steamship Co, Piraeus and renamed Kefallinia, scrapped on 15/12/1959 at Piraeus.
SS Waipiata	1926	1926-1968	2826 GT	General cargo ship, 1926–68 by Napier & Miller Ltd, Glasgow for Union Auckland / east coast / Dunedin service 96.19m (315.6ft) 13.74m (45.1ft) 6.94m (22.8ft) 417 nhp, Triple-expansion engine by John G Kincaid & Co Ltd, Greenock, twin screw, 14 knots
SS Waipori	1901	1901-1928	1,976 GT	Later renamed Tung Lee in 1937. Scuttled in Yangtse River at Zhenjiang in 1937 as blockship by Chinese Government during Japanese attacks.
SS Waipori	1938		4,282	1965 sold to Teh Hu SS Co, Hong Kong, renamed Pacific Mariner.
SS Wairarapa	1882	1882–1894	1,786 GT	Sunk 29 October 1894 off Great Barrier Island; 140 deaths
MV Wairata	1943		5,255 GT	as Cape Igvak, 1947 purchased from Parry Nav. Co, Seattle and renamed, 1967 sold to Ta Teh SS Co., Hong Kong, renamed Successful Day.
MV Wairimu		1948-19	6,796 GT	Type C1-B ship launched 1.08.1940 for the US Maritime Commission at Tacoma, as Cape Alava, 127.31m x 18.31m x 11.52m, 2 x 6-cylinder 2 SCSA diesel engines with slip electromagnetic coupling by Hooven, Owens, Rentshler & Co Ltd, Hamilton, 4,164 bhp, 1 screw, 14 knots, 8 passengers, 43 crew, cargo capacity 1,104 cubic metres (389,749 cubic feet) including 555 cubic metres (19,600 cubic feet) refrigerated on Trans-Pacific service, 12.1940 she was being fitted out for the American Mail Line when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, 3.04.1941 to American Mail Line, as managers, 1947 started single voyage charters. 8.01.1947 management transferred to Overlakes Steamship Company, Detroit. 7.04.1947 to Sword Line Inc, New York. 28.06.1947 to United States Line Co, New York, 31.10.1947 laid up in James River. 22.04.1948 sold at Baltimore to Union and renamed Wairimu to run New Zealand-Australia route. 7.1956 took paper pulp from Tauranga to Colombo, 1965 laid up at Wellington, 1966 sold to Tung Lee Lee Navigation Co Ltd, Hong Kong and renamed Ta Tung, 1969: Transferred to Ta Peng Steamship Co Ltd, Kaohsiung (Ta Lai Steam Ship Co Ltd, Kaohsiung, managers) and renamed Ta Tzong, 3.1970: Sold to Shei Seng Fa Steel & Iron Works Ltd, Kaohsiung, shipbreakers and scrapped.
SS Wairuna	1904	1905-1917	3,947 GT	Steel cargo ship launched 5 November 1903 by Armstrong, Whitworth & Co as Lady Strathcona for W Petersen & Co, Newcastle, but sold 15 January 1904 before delivery in May to Transport Canadien, Antwerp, 360.0 x 47.5 x 26.7ft T3cyl (25, 41 & 68 x 48ins), 403nhp by Wallsend Slipway & Engineering Co Ltd single screw 10 knots. 22 September 1904 Bucknall Steamship Lines, registered at London and renamed Matoppo, renamed Wairuna when Union bought her in London in July 1905 for trade with Fiji and delivered via Fremantle and Sydney. Captured on 2 June 1917 by the German raider Wolf* near Raoul Island, between Auckland and San Francisco, carrying meat, copra and coal. Scuttled with explosives on 17 June 1917. photo photo when captured
SS Wairuna	1914	1920-1945	5,832 GT	Built 1914 as Schneefels. Renamed Gibraltar, then Polestar, then Wairuna. Scuttled off Ireland in 1945.
SS Wairuna	1944	1946-1960	7212 GT	7 June 1944 delivered by The Victoria Machinery Depot Co Ltd Yard Victoria as Salt Lake Park to the Canadian Government (Park Steam Ship Co Ltd, Montreal, managers). 129.41m x 17.43m x 10.63m. Triple-expansion steam engine 2500 ihp, single screw, allocated to the Canadian-Australasian Line Ltd, Montreal although she was put under the ownership of the Canadian Union Line Ltd, Vancouver. 1946 taken over by Union and renamed Wairuna. 29.12.1950 re-registered at Wellington. 22.10.1958 laid up at Auckland. 1960 sold to Marine Development & Supply Co SA, Panama, renamed Bonna, 1966 to Hongfahlee Navigation Co Inc, Panama. 15.12.1968 to Taiwan shipbreakers at Yawata. January 1969 scrapped at Kaohsiung. This class of Canadian built ships of which 5 were purchased by Union were hardly suitable for the types of timber cargoes which formed the main southbound cargo from Pacific Coast ports of North America. Competition from smaller modern ships cut down their cargoes Waitemata was sold in 1967.
SS Waitaki	1876	1879-1883	412 GT	Launched on 13 May 1876 by Thomas Wingate & Co, East Whiteinch for Oamaru & Dunedin Steam Co. Ltd, Dunedin, 164.8 ft x 22.0 ft x 10.2 ft, C2cyl (24 & 46 x 30in), 90hp, 1 screw. On her delivery voyage from Gravesend, via Malta, Port Said, Pointe de Galle and Hobart, she reached 11.5 knots (21.3 km/h; 13.2 mph). 1879 sold to Union, 1883 sold to Kamo Colliery Co. Ltd, Auckland. for use between Auckland and Whangārei. Collided with Albion on 17.8.1881 and Koputai on 8.2.1884, both in Otago Harbour, and Doric at Auckland on 4.9.1885. Wrecked in fog on 23 April 1887, at White Rock, Cape Palliser, en route from Napier to Wellington with no loss of life. An inquiry found Captain Penall was over-confident in the log, maintained full speed and took no steps to verify his position, when he wrongly thought he had rounded the Cape. His certificate was suspended for three months. The top of the boiler remains visible on the beach at low tide.
SS Waitaki photo	1934	1934-1958	2,212 GT	Launched on 1934 by Alexander Stephen & Sons Ltd, Linthouse, Govan for Union. 1958 sold to Ta Hsing SS Co., Keelung, renamed Tai Yuin.
MV Waitaki	1954	1964–1970	8,276 GT	6/01/1954 20/05/1954 as Whakatane by Alexander Stephen for New Zealand Shipping Co. Ltd., London, 471.7 ft x 62.9 ft x 30 ft 6 in Doxford 6 cylinder opposed piston oil engine, 7200bhp, driving single screw, 15.5 knots. 1964 Union renamed her Waitaki. 1970 Cia. Maritima Ta Teh S.A., Panama, renamed Succesful Enterprise. 1972 Wan Lung Navigation Co. S.A 1973, renamed Wan Yu. 1977 Truthful Shipping Co. S.A renamed Truthful. scrapped 11/01/1979 at Kaohsiung by the An Sung Iron & Steel Co.
SS Waitemata	1908	1908–1918	5,432 GT	Sunk 14 July 1918 in the Mediterranean
SS Waitemata	1919	1919–1932	5,666 GT	Launched as War Rampart 4 March 1919 by Northumberland Shipbuilding for the Shipping Controller. After sea trials, Union took her over from 23 May 1919 and renamed her Waitemata, 400 ft (120 m) x 53 ft (16 m) x 32.8 ft (10.0 m), with a 483 hp (360 kW), or 619 hp (462 kW) triple-expansion (27, 45 & 75 x 54ins) engine by North East Marine Engine Works, driving a single screw at up to 11 or 12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph). She was used for trade in the Pacific and to Australia, until she was laid up in Hobson Bay on 25 August 1930 at Auckland, due to lack of trade. In November 1932 she was sold to William Crosby & Co Pty Ltd, Melbourne, and was to be renamed Willandra. However, she was repaired by Mason Brothers in Auckland, sold to Yamashita Shipping Company to ship scrap iron to Japan in February 1933 and renamed Yuki Maru. On 16 June 1944 she was sunk by USS Bream off Morotai Island, in the Sumba Strait.
SS Waitemata	1946	1946–1967	7,364 GT	Burrard Dry Dock Co Vancouver launched for Royal Navy as Selsey Bill but bought by Union and completed to their design including accommodation for 16 passengers. Used on trans Pacific run. In 1961 in heavy fog off San Francisco collided with Hoegh Cape. In 1967 Union withdrew from Pacific services. Single screw steam 10 knots 1967-73 Hong Kong owners AMELIA 1973 Taiwan shipbreakers. photo
SS Waitomo	1911		4,214 GT	as Gifford, 1913 purchased from Gifford Trading Co. and renamed, 1933 sold to China Pacific S.N.Co., renamed Meishun.
SS Waitomo	1944	1946–1963	7,209 GT	Built as a cargo liner by West Coast Shipbuilders Ltd, Vancouver, delivered on 20 April 1944 to the Canadian Government for Pacific coast service and managed by Park Steamship Company as Sunnyside Park, 9 March 1946 taken over by Union, allocated to Canadian-Australasian Line Ltd, Montreal, though owned by Canadian Union Line Ltd, Vancouver, renamed Waitomo, crewed by Canadian seamen and New Zealand/Australian officers. Length 129.41m (424.6ft) b/p Breadth 17.43m (57.2ft) Depth 10.63m (34.9ft) 2,500 ihp triple-expansion engine by Canadian Allis-Chalmers, Montreal, driving a single screw 11 knots 16.10.1960: Ran aground on Seaward Reef, in the approaches to Apia, Samoa towed off by Tofua on the 20th 1961: Ownership passed to Union 29.12.1962: Sold to the Blue Shark Steamship Co SA, Panama 1963 and renamed Blue Shark. 4.02.1967: Sold to Taiwan shipbreakers and arrived at Kaohsiung for demolition.
SS Waitotara photo	1907	1916–1917	4,717 GT	Launched as Dalmore on 25/07/1907 by Scotts Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. Ltd, Greenock for J. M. Campbell & Son, Glasgow. 390.5 x 52.2 x 26.4, 1 screw, T3cyl 1913 Alliance Shipping Co. Ltd, managed by J.M.Campbell & Son. In May 1916 Union bought and renamed her Waitotara. She had a fire in her coal bunkers near Natal in 1912 and was abandoned, due to fire in copra, about 240 miles south of Noumea and sank on 17/06/1917, en route San Francisco to Sydney.
SS Wakatipu	1876		1,797 GT	She crushed and sank the barque Laira at Dunedin in 1898, when she was stuck in a channel which hadn't been dredged sufficiently. 1924 sold to W. Waugh, Balmain and hulked. steam passenger vessel built 1876 by William Denny & Brothers Dumbarton (Yard No 188) for Denny, Mills & Darling (mng Union). 1878 owned by Union and 1924 by William Waugh Ltd, Balmain, laid up at Sydney in 1921, hulked 1925 and used by Broken Hill Pty Ltd as tar storage barge, scrapped in 1930.
SS Wanaka photo of wreck	1876	1877–1891	493 GT	4/07/1876 by Thomas Wingate, East Whiteinch for John Darling, Glasgow for Union, 174.8 ft x 23.2 ft x 11.4 ft, 2-cylinder (26 & 52 x 30in) compound engine, 120nhp, 1 screw, 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph), with 60 berths, for the Port Chalmers-Akaroa-Lyttelton-Wellington-Napier-Gisborne-Tauranga-Auckland route, which took 7 days on her first trip in 1877, wrecked 2 April 1891 on Puketapu Reef, near Bell Block, on a Manukau-New Plymouth voyage.
SS Wanaka	1887		2,422 GT	as Liddesdale, 1897 purchased from R. Mackill & Co., Glasgow and renamed, 1927 scuttled.
MV Wanaka	1937	1937–1965	2,259 GT	3/12/1937 23/02/1938 Alexander Stephen & Sons Ltd., Govan Linthouse 559 for Union. Sailed on 26/02/1938 via Panama Canal, for New South Wales-Tasmania trade. In 1942 the Australian Government took her over as an airforce supply ship, with a 4 inch gun forward and a 12 pound gun aft plus 20mm anti-aircraft guns on the bridge, manned by Union officers, Australian seamen, RAN gunners and RAAF medical attendants, wireless operators and stewards. On 19 February 1942 she was at Darwin during the first Japanese air raid, but was only hit by bomb splinters. On 19 March 1942 in Fairfax Harbour. Port Moresby, she left the wharf just prior to bombing. On 15 December 1943 a 130mph hurricane blew her on her side on Eden Reef, off Port Stewart. 10 crew were lost, but she returned to Sydney for repairs and resumed supplies until the end of the war when she was returned to Union. 277.6 ft x 45.2 ft x 18.3 ft. Oil engine. 2SC Sa 6Cyl. 583NHP. Type6SD60 by Sulzer Brothers Ltd., Winterthur. Single screw, 14knots. 1965 Letsena Navigation Inc., Monrovia - G. T. Bacalakis, New York Pater Elias, 1967 Nansei Kensetsu G.K., Naha Tainan Maru, scrapped from 10/11/1968 at Osaka.
MV Wanaka	1970		2,769 GT	1976 sold to Sealanes Transport, Piraeus, renamed Rata Hills.
SS Wareatea	1883		512 GT	1887 taken over with Westport Coal Co., 1904 sold to Holyman, Launceston. 512
SS Warrimoo	1901	1901–1914	3,326 GT	A Swan Hunter ship sunk by collision with a French destroyer in 1918 when Singapore owned
SS Wellington	1863	1864–1881	429 GT	Launched 24 October 1863 by Blackwood & Gordon, Port Glasgow, for New Zealand Steam Navigation Co, Wellington and transferred to Union in 1871. Wellington was a 100-passenger, iron, single screw, steamer, 185.5 ft (56.5 m) x 24.6 ft (7.5 m) x 13.2 ft (4.0 m), with a 2-cylinder, 90 hp (67 kW) engine, which arrived on 3 June 1864. In 1881 she was sold to Northern Steamship, initially serving Tauranga-Auckland. She ran daily to Whangārei in 1900, but was laid up about 1905, after being used on the New Plymouth-Onehunga route. 1909 G. T. Niccol converted her to a hulk at Auckland. 1913 scuttled as a breakwater at Moehau, or at Whangārei.
SS Westmeath	1903	1913–1925	8,096 GT	Launched 15 February 1903 by Furness, Withy & Co Middleton yard, West Hartlepool as Everton Grange, a refrigerated cargo ship, for Empire Transport Co, part of Houlder Group, 144.78m x 17.10m x 9.87m, 656 nhp 2 triple-expansion engines (21, 36, 59 x 42in) by Richardsons, Westgarth & Co Works Hartlepool Twin screw 12 knots. In November 1911 she was sold to New Zealand Shipping Co, renamed Westmeath, the former name of the 1893 ship, SS Tokomaru. In she was 1913 sold to Union. On 15 July 1917, en route from Montevideo to Le Havre with meat, she was torpedoed by UC48 13km off Triagoz, but reached port. From April 1925 she spent her remaining years at Genoa, with Soc Ligure de Navegazione a Vap, renamed Nordico, 1927 Ditta D & E Fratelli Bozzo, 29 March 1930 laid up and 2 May 1932 Giacomo Pittaluga, who scrapped her at Savona.
SS Whangape (1900)	1900	1900–1928	2,931 GT	Sister ship to SS Mont-Blanc (1899)
SS Willochra	1913	1913–1914	7,784 GT	Union chartered her from Adelaide Steamship in April 1913, just after she had arrived in Sydney from her builders, William Beardmore, to replace Warrimoo on the Dunedin-Lyttelton-Wellington-Sydney route. In September 1913 she was put on the San Francisco service, until converted to a troopship in late 1914.
SS Wingatui	1914	1920–1951	2,378 GT	Collier launched as Antwerpen in December 1914 by Schiffswerft von Henry Koch, Lübeck for Oldenburg-Portugiesische Dampfschiffs Rhederei, Hamburg 95.09m x 12.98m x 7.92m, triple-expansion steam engine by Ottensener Maschfabriek, Altona 1,100 ihp, 1 screw 11 knots, cargo capacity 5,762 cubic metres (203,500 cubic feet). 1919 put under the Shipping Controller (W A Young & Co, London, managers). 9.12.1920 sold to Union and renamed Kairanga. 1921 renamed Wingatui when she arrived in Australia. 1921 collided with Westmoreland at Bluff and on 27.11.1928 with Port Wellington at Auckland. 8.02.1922 stranded off Napier, on 5.12.1928 in Otago Harbour and on 11.09.1934 at Port Chalmers on a sandbank. 21.08.1925: Suffered damaged machinery off Meeraki and on 28.08.1926 near Timaru. 10.08.1931 hit Wellington wharf. 29.09.1936 a fire off Napier. 14.03.1945 damaged her rudder at Westport. 1949 laid up at Wellington. 1951 sold to Mrs E J Chandris, Piraeus and renamed Thoula Chandris. On charter to the Ministry of Food, she broke down between Wellington and South Australia and had a 15° list. Papanui towed her to Nelson and tugs took her to Wellington. 12.06.1952: Grounded on Arnemuiden Shoal, near Jakarta. She was floated of, then sold to Mollers Ltd, Hong Kong, and scrapped.
SS Zealandia	1910	1910–1913	6,683 GT	Chartered from Huddart, Parker for Vancouver route