Former riverboat welcomed back

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 32, 31 January 1984, Page 1

Former riverboat welcomed back

The former Wanganui river boat Ongarue was officially welcomed back to Pipiriki last Sunday week in a simple ceremony attended by the official party and about 70-80 spectators. Intended as a memorial to the 'riverboat years' the Ongarue has found it's final resting place oii an elevated platform above the Wanganui River and below the site of the former Pipiriki House. By mounting the steel hull above the ground visitors ^^3 readily appreciate the ^Klow draught and the unique propeller tunnel designed to protect the 3bladed screw as it travelled through shallow waters. The Ongarue (overall length 60ft, beam 8ft,

draught 1 4 inches) was built in 1903 at the Thames-side yard of Yarrow & Co, Poplar, situated in the east end of London. It was then dismantled and shipped in 'kit-set' sections to Wanganui where it was re-assembled by Hatrick & Co. Originally powered by a steam engine and later by a Kerosene and then a diesel engine, which gave it a top speed of 8-'/2 knots, the Ongarue was licensed to carry 65 passengers. Known first as an upper river (or 'top-end') boat it plied between Pipiriki and Taumarunui until the depth of the river deteriorated to a point where only smaller vessels could be used. The Ongarue made it's

last commerical river trip in 1959 when it sailed from Pipiriki to Wanganui. In 1 963 it was bought by a syndicate of Wanganui businessmen who restored her and used her for pleasure trips on the river for several years before putting her onto a slipway at Putiki. The Lands and Survey Department then acquired the Ongarue from. the 24owner syndicate and prepared it for it's final journey by the River Road to Pipiriki. This work took about six months to complete and she was brought up by transporter late last year. At the unveiling on Sunday speakers included John Ombler, Wanganui River Reserves senior ranger, John (Jack) Gray from Raetihi who spoke as an elder of the Pipiriki people, Tony Phillips, Commissioner of Crown Lands, Athol Kirk, historian from Wanganui, Syd Jackson, one of the 24 members of the club which previously owned the Ongarue, and Rangiwiata Tahuparae (John Tahu). Mrs Phillips, wife of the Commissioner of Crown Lands broke the traditional bottle of champagne across the bow of the vessel. Syd Jackson, spokesman for the group that once owned the Ongarue said that he was delighted to see part of the history of the Wanganui River coming back to Pipiriki.