AORANGI
The AORANGI departed London on 30 November 1883 and arrived in Wellington 17 January 1884. Captain W A Turpin was in command of this maiden voyage.
Transcribed from Evening Post for Friday, 18 January 1884, Pg 2.
Arrival of the s.s. Aorangi, from London.
The New Zealand Shipping Company splendid steamer Aorangi, Captain W. A. Turpin, was signalled at 4.30 p.m. yesterday, and an hour later anchored off Oriental Bay. She was visited by the Health Officer, who, finding everything satisfactory on board, passed her at once. Pilot Simms then brought the vessel up to No. 4 berth at the Queen's Wharf, making her fast shortly after 7 p.m. On the wharf there was an immense crowd waiting to have a look at the: steamer and her passengers. On getting on board we found everything in first-class order and remarkably clean. The passengers some 326 in all, spoke highly of the treatment, and appeared well satisfied. During the voyage a number of concerts and other amusements were got up, and on Christmas Eve Captain Turpin introduced a novelty in the shape of a Christmas Tree, loaded with presents for the children. At the end of every branch an electric lamp was attached, producing a remarkably pretty effect.
The following are her principal officers:— Commander, Captain W. R. Turpin; chief officer, Mr. W. Blair; second do, Mr. H. E. Greenstreet (formerly captain of the Mataura, and well known in Wellington); third do, Mr. O. Scruby; fourth do, Mr. O. D. Armstrong: chief engineer, Mr. G. Hughes purser, Mr. W. Wilson; surgeon, Dr. McGrath; chief steward, Mr. Black. Her officers and crew number 126 all told.
The following is a report of her passage :— Hauled out of dock on 29th November and proceeded as far as Gravesend, where on the following day the ship wan inspected by Government authorities, and passengers embarked. Left at 2 p.m., and brought up off the Nore at 4.30; was underweigh at daylight on the following day, and on the 2nd December let go anchor in Plymouth Sound, when the ship was coaled and the remainder of the passengers and mail taken aboard. Had moderate breezes and fine weather to Tenerife, which was reached on the 7th, 4 days 12 hours from Plymouth. After 12 hours detention for coaling, loft Teneriffe with light N. wind and fine weather. Cape de Verde was sighted at 7 p.m. on the 10th. Head winds and sea, with fine weather, prevailed as far as 37deg S., the Equator having been crossed on the 14th in long. 12deg W. The meridian of Cape of Good Hope was passed on the 24th in 37deg 8. The Easting was made between lat. 44 and 45deg 8., fine weather and moderate winds being experienced the whole way to Tasmania, which was sighted at daylight on 12th January, 40 days steaming from Plymouth. Anchored off Hobart at 3 p.m. the same day; coaled ship, and proceeded the next day at 8 p.m. A strong W. gale, with heavy sea, was met with after leaving Hobart. At daylight yesterday made Cape Farewell, Pencarrow Head being sighted at 3.30 p.m.
We gave a very full description of this noble ship in our yesterday's issue, and there is little to add after a personal inspection, excepting that perfection seem to have been as nearly approached in the design and fitting of the Aorangi as is possible at the present stage of advance in naval architecture. Her lines have evidently been carefully planned to render her an easy and dry ship in a heavy sea, and that this has been realized is proved by the fact that in the very severs gale of Tuesday last, although a heavy sea was running, not a drop of water was taken on deck, and the passengers were able to remain above just as if it were dead calm. The fittings of her saloon are exceedingly rich and handsome, but in excellent taste and not-overdone, indeed, we have seen nothing as yet comparable with it. The second cabin is fully equal to the first saloon of any ocean steamer which has yet visited us, and is only surpassed by the saloons of a few of the best Union boats. It has piano, electric lights and bells, smoking-room, and ladies' cabin, &c.; in short, every comfort and convenience that passengers could desire. The steerage accommodation is also of a superior character, one special feature being the enclosed berths. Of the extraordinary variety and completeness of the conveniences connected with the first saloon accommodation it is difficult to speak too highly. Nothing seems to have been omitted that was required to make it as perfect as it could be, and a saloon trip in the Aorangi must be quite a pleasure excursion. The sleeping cabins are marvels of commodiousness, and the ventilation seems most thorough, as indeed in all parts of the ship. The Aorangi's actual steaming time from Plymouth to Wellington, including the' deviation to Hobart, was 43 days. She was not pushed at any time, but was driven quite easily, and only consumed from 45 to 50 tons of coal per diem, averaging 12½ knots at that consumption. One day when she had a favourable breeze, and was able to use her large spread of canvas, she ran 360 miles, or 15 knots an hour. She brings a full cargo. A large batch of her southern passengers went on at noon to-day by the Rotorua, and cheered loudly as they passed the "big ship," a few groans for somebody unknown being audible amid the cheers. The Aorangi is expected to remain here until Wednesday next, when she proceeds to Lyttelton.
Following is a list of passengers:—
Saloon:
Messrs - E. Wilde, G. H. Humphries
Second Saloon:
Mr. & Mrs. Agates, children and servant
Mr. & Mrs. J Huxley and child
Mrs. Humphreys
Misses - C. Richmond, F. Webb, O. Webb, T. Webb, F. Clarke
Messrs - F. Richmond, C. Martin, A. Oberg, N. C. Calthrop, H. E. Calthrop, C. Hulke
Steerage:
Mr. & Mrs. Martin and family
Alfred Muggeridge
Mr. Hawkins
B. Raut
Samuel Fisher
Thos. B. A. Stoddard
Mary A. Goldsmith
Walter Carrol
Mr. & Mrs. R. Winter
Messrs - Rd. Winter
E. Winter
Charles Mundy
Henry Thompson
James Evans
John Evans
Gilbert Johnston
Andrew Mann
Duncan Mann
Mrs. Jamieson and child
Thos. Lawrenson
George Gates
Alfred Petersen
Following is a summary giving the number of statute adults for other ports:-
Otago - 4 saloon, 10 second cabin, 15 steerage;
Lyttelton - 12 saloon, 26½ second cabin, 51½ steerage;
Auckland - 1 saloon, 18½ second cabin, 52½ steerage;
Napier - 13½ saloon, 7½ second cabin, 3 steerage;
Nelson - 3 saloon;
Bluff - 1 saloon, 1 second cabin;
Hokitika - 2 steerage.
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Copyright - Gavin W Petrie - 2016