The New Zealand Shipping Company

The New Zealand Shipping Company was incorporated in 1873 to exploit trade between New Zealand and the UK. Refrigerated holds were introduced as early as 1881, enabling the export of meat and dairy products.

In 1916, P&O acquired financial control of the Company, but it continued to trade separately. The service closed in 1971 with the re-organisation of the P&O fleet into divisions.

Rangitata

  
Operating life: 1929 - 1962
Tonnage: 16,737
Passengers: 595
Constructed: J.Brown & Co., Glasgow
Our footage: 30secs


Rangitata was used a transport during the war. Her sister ship Rangitiki narrowly escaped from the German battleship Admiral Scheer which attacked her convoy.

We see Rangitata briefly in a UK port prior to a voyage back to New Zealand.

Ruahine

  
Operating life: 1951 - 1973
Tonnage: 17,851
Passengers: 267
Constructed: J.Brown & Co., Glasgow
Our footage: 2min 18secs

We feature the third Ruahine to bear that name in the Company's service. Slightly smaller than Rangitane and Rangitoto which were launched two years before, Ruahine enjoyed a long career before being sold to the Hong Kong Orient Overseas Line in 1968 and renamed the Oriental Rio. She was scrapped in 1973.

Our footage shows Ruahine loading butter in Wellington and various shots of her at ports around the world.

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