Designed and built in early 1904 by Yarrow & Co. Shipbuilders at Poplar, London and transported in kitset form to Whanganui. Reassembled by A Hatrick & Co, she was launched in November 1904 and for the next 34 years carried passengers, mail and cargo across 80km of the middle section of the Whanganui River. She was decommissioned in 1938 and eventually sank into the mud of the river after years of neglect. She was salvaged in 1987 and over the next 19 years locals restored her to her 1913 condition. She was relaunched in March 2006 as a cruise vessel and is still in operation as of 2021.
Wairua (River boat)
There are 2 related items to this topic
Audio
Interview with Willy Robertson
Date: 25 Sep 1994
From: The Men in Our Lives oral history project
By: Robertson, William, 1896-1995
Reference: OHInt-0406-08
Description: William Robertson grew up in Tokaanu and Pipiriki. Outlines a little of his family background. He worked for the Rabbit Board and then as deck hand on the paddle steamers on the Whanganui River which were run by Hatrick & Co. He studied for captain's and engineer's licence at Navigation School (Northcote) and became a captain. Refers to the `Wairere' and the `Waimarie' also the Whanganui River Houseboat. Mentions Kenny Stewart who was skipper of passenger boats and Jack Allen skipper on the cargo boats. Describes the responsibilites of the Whanganui River Trust. Mentions Pipiriki House, a boarding house on the river which was accessed by boat. In 1933 he left the boats to do farm work, but was employed the following year by Hatrick's bus service on the River Road until the bus service ended in the mid 1950s. Mr Robertson died in 1995 and an article in `Paddle Wheels' states that at the time of his death he was the last surviving River Skipper who had been employed by Hatrick & Company. Accompanying material - Article about Willy by Mary Bryant and Obituary in Paddle Wheels, journal for the Whanganui Riverboat Restoration And Navigation Trust. Feb 1995 vol 5 no. 5. Abstracted by - Michelle Horwood Interviewer(s) - Susan Hawes Recorded by - Susan Hawes Venue - 77 Polsen Street, Wanganui, Mr Robertson's daughter, Alma also present Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-006760-006762 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-1532.
Online
Image
The launch Waiora, Whanganui River
Date: [ca 1930s]
From: Longwill, K :Album and photographs of family and New Zealand scenes, mainly boating and Kapiti Island.
Reference: PAColl-6685-01
Description: The launch `Waiora' and unidentified passengers, Whanganui River, circa 1930s. Photographer unidentified. Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin print 104 x 60 mm