1912 CREW

RANGATIRA ( SECOND )

BUILT FOR SHAW SAVILL & ALBION IN 1908 IN BELFAST. SISTER SHIP TO 'PAKEHA' ( THERE WERE FIVE OTHER SIMILAR SHIPS BUILT.) SHE WAS A REFRIGERATED CARGO/PASSENGER SHIP,PLUS STEERAGE PASSENGER SPACE.SHAW SAVILL USED HER ON THE LIVERPOOL TO WELLINGTON ROUTE,UNTIL 1914 WHEN SHE WAS CONVERTED TO A TROOP SHIP IN AUSTRALIA.SHE GROUNDED IN DENSE FOG ON ROBBEN ISLAND,SOUTH AFRICA IN 1916.TAKING FIVE MONTHS TO BREAK UP,ENABLING MOST OF HER CARGO TO BE SALVAGED.THE AREA OF ROBBEN ISLAND SHE WRECKED ON IS KNOWN NOW AS RANGATIRA BAY.26 OTHER VESSELS HAVE ALSO COME TO GRIEF ON ROBBEN ISLAND.