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.