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Although Wanganella was an Australian liner, owned by Huddart Parker Limited, she was very much a New Zealand ship as well, as she operated for the best part of thirty years between the two countries, and finished her career in New Zealand as a workers' hostel for a hydro-electric scheme.

The only Australian company to maintain a service across the Tasman Sea was Huddart Parker Limited, which survived numerous attempts by the Union Line to drive them off the route in the early days, and eventually the two agreed to share the route. Up to the late 1870s these ships were primarily intended to transport cargo, with minimal attention being paid to the comfort of passengers. This changed in 1879 when the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand introduced Rotomahana, which immediately rendered existing ships obsolete, and all the Australian companies left the trade.

The years after World War I were very difficult, with long waits for ships to be returned from military duty, and numerous maritime strikes. In November 1921 Riverina was transferred to the route between Sydney and Hobart, leaving Ulimaroa as the sole Huddart Parker representative crossing the Tasman. This situation lasted until April 1932, when Ulimaroa was replaced by the second Zealandia.

Just at that time there was a brand new ship in Britain that was offered for sale, and purchased by Huddart Parker. Originally named Achimota, the liner was renamed Wanganella, and it arrived in Sydney from Britain on the last day of 1932. On 12 January 1933 Wanganella departed on its first voyage to New Zealand, and the start of an amazing career.

For three years Wanganella operated with Monowai of the Union Line, which was a comparable vessel, but in 1936 the New Zealand company introduced the brand new Awatea, which totally outclassed both Wanganella and Monowai. Awatea was one of the most outstanding liners of the 1930s, but Wanganella maintained her place on the Tasman trade for the next three years.

World War II soon affected the Tasman trade. Wanganella was taken over as a hospital ship. Awatea became a troopship, and was sunk in 1942, while Monowai served in a variety of roles.

Late in 1945, Wanganella was released from Government service and handed back to Huddart Parker Limited, but it would take almost a year to refit the liner for commercial service again. Instead of returning to the Tasman trade, Wanganella was first sent on a voyage to Vancouver, so it was not until January 1947
that the liner left Sydney for New Zealand again.

The voyage ended in near tragedy, when Wanganella ran aground on Barrett's Reef at the entrance to Wellington Harbour. This was the major news story in New Zealand for three weeks, and even today fine days in Wellington are known as 'Wanganella' weather: After being salvaged, the work of repairing the damage lasted almost two years.

Wanganella struggled on operating a lone ship service, but passenger numbers were rapidly dwindling as more people began travelling by air than by sea. In 1961 Huddart Parker Limited ended their interest in the Tasman trade when the company was sold, but Wanganella continued to operate to New Zealand, wearing the funnel colours of Mcllwraith, McEacharn Limited.

About the author:

Peter Plowman is one of Australia's leading maritime historians. He has published a number of books, including Australian Migrant Ships. Other titles include Across the Sea to War, Murray Darling Paddleboats, Ferry to Tasmania, Coast to Coast and Australian Cruise Ships. He is a regular speaker and commentator on ships and shipping on both radio and television. He lives near Penrith.