LOSS OF THE MATATUA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1523, 16 March 1916, Page 4

LOSS OF THE MATATUA.

Fire and explosions destroyed and sank the Shaw, Savill and Albion Co.’s steamer Matatua, a well-known New Zealand liner, at the docks at St. Johns (New Brunswick) on Monday last. The vessel was loading cargo for New Zealand. Captain Gillman was killed. The cause of the fire is unknown.

The Matatua was recognised as a particularly useful cargo vessel, both as regards capacity and speed, and her loss at the present time, when the demand for tonnage greatly exceeds that available, is a serious blow not only to those directly interested, but to the Dominion as a whole. At the time of the disaster the Matatua was probably almost fully loaded for New Zealand, as the Wellington office ot the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company was daily expecting advice of the vessel s departure from St. John’s. No details as to the exact nature of the Matatua’s cargo are available, but she was loading the usual Canadian cargo, which consists mainly of motor cars, machinery, paper, and general hardware. Under an arrangement in force where the Canadian trade is concerned, she was coming to New Zealand under the agency of the New Zealand Shipping Company. Departure was to have been taken from St, John’s at the end of February, but later advice was to the effect that the vessel was delayed till March, She was due in New Zealand early in May. Entered 100 Ar at Lloyd’s, the Matatua was a vessel of 6488 tons gross, and was built in 1904 by Workman, Clark and Co., Ltd., Belfast, for the Shaw, Savill Company. She was a twin-screw vessel, and her dimensions were as follow : Length 448 ft., breadth 56.5 ft., depth 30.6 ft. She had refrigerated space for about 86,000 carcases, while her space for general cargo was about 11,000 bales, or approximately 5,000 tons. She paid her .first visit to Wellington in 1905.