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Notable Vessels - 1800s To 1950s | History 1907 - 1955 | 1960s Herald Story | Demise Foreseen | Onehunga Wharf's Changing Face | View From The Mountain | Papers Past | Servants of the Port | A Wharf of Contrasts | Signal Station Signs | From the AHB Archives via NZMM | Steam Arrives On The Manukau | High And Dry?
Servants of the Port
 "Maori", the first Union Company steamer. Acquired in 1875, and visited Onehunga until the turn of the century, when she was laid up in Port Chalmers. Built in Glasgow in 1868, she was sold to Samoan interests in 1902, and sank at her moorings at Saluafata in 1913.
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Captain Thomas Wing is a name synonymous with the early history of the Manukau Harbour, for which he was appointed Harbour Master and Pilot in 1857.
He held these roles until his death in 1888, a period of time which oversaw much growth shipping-wise on the Manukau, as well as the nation's darkest day from a maritime perspective, the HMS Orpheus disaster on 7 February 1863, about which more here.
Wing and his family were based at Whatipu until 1867 - he oversaw the 1865 move of the signal station to South Head - after which they moved to Onehunga, from where he carried out his duties for the duration of his tenure.
Thoroughly recommended reading - "Wing of the Manukau", by T.B. (Brian) Byrne. Offers a terrific insight into the early days of shipping on the Manukau Harbour.
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 At 1345 tons, "Pukaki" was one of the biggest visitors of her era to Onehunga. Built in Dumbarton for Union Company in 1887, she made her final call on 30 September 1914, arriving from Picton, before departing next day for Westport. Sold to Melbourne interests the following year, thence to Chinese interests in 1924. She was eventually broken up in China in 1937, ending a fifty-year career.
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Period In Charge
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Harbourmaster / Officer-in-Charge
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Manukau Heads Pilot / Signalman
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1915-32
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Capt. R.H. Gibbons
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1854-55
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William Champion
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1933-45
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Capt. H.H. Sergeant
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1855-57
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Captain W.C. Lewis
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1946-49
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Capt. H. Hogan
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1857-65
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Edward Wing
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1950 to unknown
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Capt. W.G. Kelsey
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1865-66
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J. Symonds
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unknown to July 1960
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W.J. Wigg
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1866-96
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Richard Paltridge
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Aug 1960 to 1963
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Capt. C.P. Keane
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1896-1910
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unknown
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1964-80
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Capt. R.E. Berry
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1910-45
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Walter Champion
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1981-88
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Capt. Ross A. Sutherland
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1945-57
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George Freegard
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1989-95
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Benjamin Chrystall
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1957- unknown
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Les Laing
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1996
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Kevin O'Sullivan
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unknown
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Tom Smith
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1997-2001
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Vivian Power *
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unknown
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Frank Roe
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2002-15
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Brian Jarman **
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unknown - 1986
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John McKinnon
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*
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Title changed to Manager in 1999
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1986-2018
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Evan McGregor
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**
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Title changed to Port Co-ordinator in 2002
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