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Hokitika Guardian, 13 January 1926, Page 2

Tub 'Union Steam Ship Company’s passenger steamer Monowni which has been purchased by the Gihborrie Harbour Board for the purpose of forming a breakwater at AVhareongaonga has had an interesting- career. She was launched on December lltli. 1880, by Messrs W. Denny and Bros., Dumbarton. She was then regarded as one of the finest passenger boats afloat. The Monowni. a single-screw vessel of .1400 tons gross, was built entirely of mild steel on the cellular bottom principle, with five water-tight compartments. She had lour decks spar deck, main deck, 'tween deck, and shade deck. She Imd accommodation for 233 (passengers. Her ’music saloon. which was 11 tool in height, was one of the attractions of the (Glasgow Exhibition. The christening of the ship was performed by Mrs Topping, wife of the then London Secretary of the Union Company. ('apt. Alex. Cameron commanded the Monowai when she left Greenock on April sth. .1890. for Port Chalmers, via Capetown. The vessel made a nonstop run of 13,524 miles. Mr D. McCnig was chief engineer, and had reason to be proud of the ship’s feat. The engines made 4.333,148 revolutions. and the ship averaged 10.53 miles per hour. The late Captain Carey was placed in charge of the Mono wai when she made her first intercolonial trip to Sydney from Dunedin, via East Coast ports. The vessel afterwards rail in the Sydney-San Francisco service, and in 1900 sailed for Durban under clmrber to the New Zealand Government with the fourth contingent of troops for the Boor War. The Monowni afterwards was engaged in the inter-oeolonial service for some years, and made her final trip in 1920. On September 7th. 1020. the vessel was withdrawn, and linbeen laid up at Port Chalmers ever since. Various mishaps befell flic Monowni during her career. Tn 1901 she dropped her propeller, and drifted helplessly between llliilf and Hobort. and was not picked up till five days later by the Mokoin, which towed her tn Bluff. In 1907. while bound from Wellington to Sydney, the Mnnownj damaged her rudder bead. Pome anxiety was felt for her safety, and various boats were despatched in quest of her. She was again found by the .Mokoin. which vessel towed her to Svdney.