The Last Ocean Liners

New Zealand Shipping Co.

Rangitoto / Rangitane / Ruahine

 

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New Zealand Shipping Co.

This long-established shipping line, a subsidiary of the P&O group, operated extensive voyages between the U.K. and New Zealand via Panama, using some of the largest combination passenger and cargo ocean liners ever built.

Outbound sailings from London mostly carried migrants settling in New Zealand, whereas on eastbound sailings there were tourists and reverse migrants along with the cargo holds filled with refrigerated lamb and related products. There were layovers of several weeks for cargo handling at the terminal ports.

New Zealand Shipping Co.

The New Zealand Shipping Company's vessels were comfortable, homey one-class ocean liners operating on a leisurely schedule. Passengers aboard Rangitoto and Rangitane enjoyed a cocktail bar forward on A-Deck, adjoined by two lounges, a cinema, ballroom and a veranda cafe looking out on the swimming pool area. The layout on the smaller Ruahine was similar, but with some rooms serving dual purposes. The dining saloon on all ships was below on D-Deck.

New Zealand Shipping Co.

Cabins ranged from singles or twin-bedded with private facilities to three, four and six berth with bathrooms down the hall. All passenger accommodations on Rangitoto, Rangitane and Ruahine were outside, sometimes with just a sliver of a view down a narrow hall space in the "bibby" cabins.

New Zealand Shipping Co.

"Passengers will find that on board they will get service that is only available ashore at the most exclusive hotels. Good food, inexpensive drinks, hot sunshine, the swimming pool, deck games and entertainments will combine to make your trip on RANGITOTO and RANGITANE something to remember."

Note: Arrival and departure in New Zealand could be either Auckland or Wellington and could include other ports depending on cargo.


Sample minimum one-way fares from London to Auckland: One class $559; from Auckland to London: One class $461; All fares are per person in U.S. dollars.


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Rangitoto (New Zealand Shipping Co.) 1949
Rangitoto New Zealand Shipping Co.
Built: 1949 by Vickers-Armstrongs, Newcastle, England Gross tons: 21809 Length: 609ft (186m) Width: 78ft (24m) Draft: 32ft (10m) Speed: 17kn Power: 16000 bhp Propulsion: Diesel twin screw Passengers: 416 One-class End of service: Sold 1969 as Oriental Carnaval; scrapped 1976
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Rangitane (New Zealand Shipping Co.) 1950
Rangitane New Zealand Shipping Co.
Built: 1950 by John Brown & Co, Clydebank, Scotland Gross tons: 21867 Length: 609ft (186m) Width: 78ft (24m) Draft: 32ft (10m) Speed: 17kn Power: 15500 bhp Propulsion: Diesel twin screw Passengers: 416 One-class End of service: Sold 1968 as Oriental Esmeralda; scrapped 1976
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Ruahine (New Zealand Shipping Co.) 1951
Ruahine New Zealand Shipping Co.
Built: 1951 by John Brown & Co, Clydebank, Scotland Gross tons: 17851 Length: 584ft (178m) Width: 75ft (23m) Draft: 29ft (9m) Speed: 17kn Power: 14200 bhp Propulsion: Diesel twin screw Passengers: 267 One-class End of service: Sold 1968 as Oriental Rio; scrapped 1973
Go to sailing schedules for this ship.