Story: Shipping

The Arawa

The Arawa

In 1883–85 the New Zealand Shipping Company and Shaw Savill & Albion built big steamers for the United Kingdom–New Zealand run to take over from sailing ships a fifth or a quarter their size. They still sported yards and sails on their masts, but engine power now mattered, especially the new-fangled compound engines that cut coal consumption and freed up more space for cargo. The 5,086-ton Arawa carried 95 first-class, 56 second-class and 670 steerage passengers in addition to cargo.

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Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Reference: Neg. no. 719

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How to cite this page:

Gavin McLean, 'Shipping - The ‘Home boats’', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/5759/the-arawa (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Gavin McLean, published 12 Jun 2006, updated 1 Jan 2016