LANDMARK GOES

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 410, 20 December 1932, Page 6

LANDMARK GOES

^ . SHSP HAMURANA SHIPBREAKERS DESTROY OLD EXCURSION STEAMER NEVER A SUCCESS Sometimes called a landmarlc, but more ofton referred to as an eyesore the ancient steamer "Hamurana" which has been lying on the Lake Rotorua waterfront near Ohinemutu is at last being removed. The "Hamurana," which was built in 1901, to be used for the visit of the present King George V. when he was Duke of Yorlc was very solidly constructed. She had three diagonal skins and was reinforced with steel rods, so much so that it was found impossible to saw her into sections and the hull has to be burnk Built O n Lake Shore She was built on tlie lake shore to the designs of a sclioolmaster, but details as to her builders and designer are somewhat meagre most .people knowing a little about her, but few being able to recall any definite details. Her first captain who incidentally was responsible for her building was Captain II. R. Macdonald. In her early career she was moored oif the wharf and small boats took ihe passengers out to her; the trip was fi om Rotorua to Hamurana thence to Te Ngae where her passengers were landed to visit Tikitere and then to the Ohau Channel where she usually went aground the trip having to be curtailed. Sinks at Wharf From June, 1901, to the winter of 1903 she plied on Lake Rotorua, but in the latter year during a big storm she dragged her moorings off the wharf and fouled it, finally sinking. In those days electric "iight was not so well known and kerosene was the main illuminatory of the district. Some bright soul conceived the idea of filling her with soldered up empty. kerosene tins of which there were Hhousands in the district. With considerable difficulty these were collected and by their aid she was refloated. Still she was not somehow a fortunate ship and after some years was inid up on the hard, There she has 1: in gradunily disiniegrating until toiay instead of being an asset the Rotorua Ferry Company, which is in iiuiridiiiion, has to pay to have her removed. Her boilers are to be buried and her skin will go up in smoke.