the coastal ship 'Mapourika'

Seen at French Pass (see earlier post).

The Mapourika hit the breakwater at Greymouth in 1898, and remained stranded for six months. The ship had to be lifted bodily off the beach and transported on skids for nearly 300 metres to the Grey River.

For many years modest passenger–cargo steamers connected the West Coast bar harbours to the main centres. In 1898, however, the Union Steam Ship Company built two new 1,200-ton sister ships, the Rotoiti for the Onehunga–New Plymouth run, and the Mapourika to serve Wellington, Nelson, Westport and Greymouth. For more, see our books.