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An historic 20th century teak…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Auckland
Date:
10-Oct-2023
Lot No.
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Description:
An historic 20th century teak ship's helm (steering wheel) from the old Union steam ship Company of NZ's tug - 'Tapuhi', the ten-spoke wheel with brass banding and hub. Diameter 183 cm, inner diameter 144 cm. Weighing over 40kg. With booklet containing history and photographs. Note: built in Scotland, 'Tapuhi' began life as the 'Empress Shirley' and was launched in 1945 as a support vessel in World War II. In 1947 she came to New Zealand, was renamed 'Tapuhi', and worked as a tugboat in Wellington harbour. On 10 April 1968, she gave emergency assistance to the 'Wahine' during New Zealand's worst modern maritime disaster, when she struck Barrett Reef in a storm and capsized with the loss of 51 lives. According to official records, 'Tapuhi was instrumental in the rescue of 174 passengers from the 'Wahine'. Provenance: in the 1970s she was renamed 'Tui Tawate' and worked in the Pacific Islands until 1990 when she was retired, stripped of valuables (including this helm) and sunk.
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Unclassified