JEWELLERY, DECORATIVE & FINE ARTS AUCTION Tuesday, 10 October 2023 / 10:00 am start

Lot 0019 « Prev Lot View All Lots Next Lot »

An historic 20thC teak ship's helm (steering wheel) from the old Union Steam Ship Company of NZ's tug - 'Tapuhi',

Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000

Lot Details

the ten-spoke wheel with brass banding and hub. Dia.1830mm, inner dia.1440mm. 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 WWII. 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.

An historic 20thC teak ship's helm (steering wheel) from the old Union Steam Ship Company of NZ's tug - 'Tapuhi', Image 1++