This site is dedicated to New Zealand coastal shipping in its final few years of conventional operation. By "conventional" I mean small ships that looked like ships, had things called masts and derricks, put cargo in holds instead of metal boxes, had names that were interesting or followed a theme, unlike some of the names that occur today which tend to be little more than advertising billboards.

Growing up in Timaru, I was able to watch many of these ships come and go about their business. I recall watching Holmdale load there in June 1974, little knowing that it was to be her last visit and the last time that general cargo was loaded onto a traditional New Zealand coaster at Timaru. There was no fanfare, no reading of speeches, she just quietly sailed away.....

I trust you will enjoy your visit and reading about the Companies, the ships and the services that used to exist on the New Zealand coast. For old hands, it may even bring back some memories.

Before you go, please take time to sign the Guestbook. Thanks.

Site last updated: 7 November 2021.

Recent Updates:
Photo Gallery:

• New photos added to "Coastal Tankers" Album.

 

• A new page dedicated to NZ's oldest shipping company. Content coming soon, meantime some photos to look at.

 

Contributors:
May I thank here the following people & organizations who have been able to help with photos and/or information.
Iain Lovie, Stephen Reed, Dave Edge, Capt. Michael Pryce, Nick Tolerton, Don Armitage, Darren Ball, Emmanuel Makarios, Graham Ferguson, NZ Ship & Marine Society, Lyttelton Port Company, Kaiapoi Library (all New Zealand), Leo Johannes, Bert Romeling (Netherlands), Jan de Jonge (Australia), Fraser Darrah, Paul Knight, Paul Strathdee (United Kingdom).

Photographs and other material for use on this site are always welcome.
You can email me by using the link below - thank you.

View my Guestbook
Free Guestbooks by Bravenet.com

 

This Historic Oceanliners site is owned by David Shepherd. Want to join the Historic Oceanliners?
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