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Built : 1889 by Yarrow & Company, Poplar, London, England
Engines
: 2 double-acting cylinders of 9 inches x 24 inch stroke
Boiler : coal fired
Length : 100 feet
Supplied from the UK in kit form and assembled at Whanganui for the Wanganui
Upriver
Settlers Company
Entered service named "Aotea"
Company went
into liquidation. Ship sold in 1902
into the fleet of Alexander Hatrick, renamed "Waimarie" and put in
service between Whanganui and Pipiriki.
Withdrawn in 1949 and in 1952 sank
at her moorings, later being partially dismantled to reduce the obstruction
in the river
Salvaged in 1993 by the Whanganui Riverboat Restoration and Navigation
Trust which had been set up for the purpose in 1990.
The original engine
was refurbished and the hull rebuilt and new water-tube boiler fitted, both
to the original design, supported by volunteer effort, public sponsorship and
lottery funding.
Returned to operation on December 20th 1999 and to revenue
service on New Year's Day, 2000
Now operates from Whanganui to Upokongaro
Official Website : http://waimarie.co.nz/
Waimarie Photograph Collection
2012 by Kevin Hoggett (inludes on-board views)
Above : Waimarie's Engines by kind courtesy of Kevin Hoggett : Click for more