Our New Tug: Hikurangi

Arriving in Gisborne on December 21st, the Gisborne Harbour Board tug Hikurangi, "one of the finest little vessels ever built in New Zealand", was something in the nature of a special Christmas present for all associated with the Port of Gisborne.

Costing nearly fifty thousand pounds, with a 500hp diesel motor driving a 72-inch propeller, the Hikurangi was built by Miller & Tonnage Ltd. She has the power and durability to serve the port for many a long year.

Hikurangi sails into the bay round the bow of the anchored Coptic

Mrs Tombleson congratulates the Harbour Master, Captain I. H. McRae, on his successful trip from Port Chalmers.

The official party on board. From left, Messrs D. A. Clarke (PRO), M. W. Howe (Board member), I. J. Quigley (board chairman), Mrs Esme Tombleson, M.P., Messrs R. C. Parker and C. H. Cooper (Board members), and Mr D. H. Miller (president, Gisborne Chamber of Commerce).

A handsome little vessel

First Job

Early one morning the week before last, Hikurangi headed down the channel on her first job, to pilot in the heavily-laden Union Steamship Company's freighter Kawatiri. The task was child's play for the powerful tug. It did little more than flex its muscles when asked to push the Kawatiri sideways in the basin. Sequence pictures record the operation.

Bringing the Kawatiri into the channel on a full tide

Entering the Kaiti basin.

Pulling at the bow

Preparing to berth at No. 2 wharf

Nudging the Kawatiri into position

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The Gisborne Photo News

No 91 : January 25, 1962

Our New Tug: Hikurangi

First Job