Sunday, May 13, 2012

the 'Rakaia' in Wellington, early 1960s


The name that the Empire Abercorn - built in 1944 for the British Ministry of War Transport - carried during NZ Shipping Company days (1946-1966) as well as the Federal Steam Navigation Company period (1966-1971).  The refrigerated box cars are also history. A photo considered for, but not used in the book New Zealand Maritime Images: the golden years.

Tonnage:  8,563 GRT
Length:  474 ft 2 in (144.53 metres)
Beam:  63 ft 3 in (19.28 metres)
Propulsion:  1 x Harland & Wolff two-cycle double-acting 8-cylinder diesel engine, 7,500 hp (5,600 kW)
Speed:  14.5 knots (26.9 km/h)
Capacity: 367,902 cubic feet (10,417.8 m3) insulated cargo space, 45 passengers (later 40 cadets)
Photo in Otago Harbour, 1967 (Chris Howell)

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