STORY OF S.S. STORMBIRD

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2177, 17 June 1914, Page 7

STORY OF S.S. STORMBIRD

" —' i—. , . ■ • HER SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY. . _ Much bunting was in evidence on tlie Wellington and Wanganui Steam Packet Uimpany s Stormbird yesterday, the oueaU!?n being her sixtieth anniversary. • iue Stormbird was built in Glasgow w 1854, and is the second oldest steamworld, and tlie oldest steamer in Australasia. She was 1 built 'by Messrs. Lawrio and Co., and, during tho 60 years has undergone many changes. Besides the fitting of new plates she has Had two complete sets of new engines installed and thtee sets of cylinders'sinco she was built. 1 T 'l c Stermbird wont ou t from Glasgow to under sail and took 116 days on tho journey. She was originally intended to act as a tender to two steamers which wore to have been engaged in tho Melbournc-Fanama trade, but the proposed scheme fell through. Subsequently tho vessel was ongnged trading between Melbourno and Westport, and later she was purchased by Mr. John Jones, of Duncdin. During succeeding years the Stormbird passed tliroUgh several hands, and eventually she was purchased by Mr. Chas. Seager, of Wellington, who sold her to her present fiwnors.

Tlie Stormbird is an iron screw steamer of 217 tolis gross and 120 tons not register. She is 130 ft. long, 19.6 ft. beam, and B.Bft. deep. For a considerabis) number of years she has been engaged in the Wcllington-Wanganui trade. ■ ■