Waimarie being raised
from the mud of 40 years
The PS Waimarie underway on
the Whanganui river
Loaded in
the hey days
on the river
The hull was in
remarkable condition
20
NZ WORKBOAT REVIEW 2013
This iconic paddle steamer has
become an important part of
the Whanganui's landscape
as scheduled cruises she sails up the river for dinner
parties, weddings, corporate functions and all manner of
celebrations. Because it is so unique and an iconic image
of the past, this paddle steamer has become an important
part of the Whanganui City landscape and is used on
much of the city and its businesses' marketing collateral.
The Trust's next major undertaking is the redevelopment of
the Riverboat Centre, upgrading the museum, ticketing and
public facilities.
■
spec's
boiler is a replica and differs from the original only in that
the steam drum ends are welded. On the original the steam
drums ends were riveted. The original boiler was re-tubed
in 1918 and 1936.
The replica boiler was lifted into Waimarie on May 19,
1999. On its first firing, steam was raised from cold to 160
psi in 55 minutes with a coal consumption of 4 cwt an
hour.
After 41 years buried in the mud of the Whanganui
River, Waimarie's engines were pulled out, reconditioned
and re-used in the newly restored vessel. These were
also manufactured by Yarrow & Co, Poplar, London, in
1889. They are two single-cylinder, double acting, noncondensing, inclined horizontal steam engines with bore
and stroke 9 inches x 24 inches, delivering 86 IHP through
a Gooch valve gear, connected by direct drive to the paddle
shafts. Cruising revs of 42rpm give a service speed of
6-7 knots, which increase to 70 rpm delivering 11 knots.
The PS Waimarie was officially recommissioned at the
beginning of 2000, on the 100th anniversary of her first
registration in 1900.
In her first year of operation the Waimarie carried over
25,000 passengers and now runs regular cruises 13km
up the Whanganui River to the small settlement of
Upokongaro.
Today, the PS Waimarie sails daily through the summer
months, four days a week for four months of the year,
and weekends only for the balance of the year. As well
Gross Tonnage 8
Register Tonnage
Waterline Length
Waterline Breadth
Propulsion
Speed
Passengers
Crew
Owner
0 tons
53 tons
100.2ft
16ft
Side paddles
10.5 knots
150
6
Whanganui Riverboat Restoration
& Navigation Trust
