New Zealand Shipping Company
Encyclopedia
The New Zealand Shipping Company (NZSC) was a shipping company whose ships ran passenger and cargo services between Great Britain
and New Zealand
between 1873 and 1973.
In the 1882, the company's ships were equipped with refrigeration. and a frozen meat service began from New Zealand to England.
Company policy dictated a stop at Pitcairn Island, in the Pacific, to break the monotony of the ocean crossing.
(P&O) in 1973.
During World War II, Rangitata operated as a troopship, returning to civilian service by 1949.
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
and New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
between 1873 and 1973.
New Zealand Shipping Company
A group of Christchurch businessmen founded the company in 1873. The company gradually established a fleet of vessels, using Maori names for each. From 1875 the livery consisted of black hulls, white superstructure and yellow funnels.In the 1882, the company's ships were equipped with refrigeration. and a frozen meat service began from New Zealand to England.
Company policy dictated a stop at Pitcairn Island, in the Pacific, to break the monotony of the ocean crossing.
Federal Steam Navigation Company
In 1912 an agreement was reached whereby the Federal Steam Navigation Company was absorbed into the New Zealand Shipping Company, but the Federal Steam Navigation ships would retain their distinctive house flag, and continue to be named after English counties, thereby retaining their individual identities. The Federal Steam Navigation Company was registered in England for tax purposes, whereas the New Zealand Shipping Company continued to be registered in New Zealand.Joint operation
During the First World War, nine ships were lost from a fleet of 32. During the Second World War 19 ships were lost from a fleet of 36.Closure
The services of both companies were absorbed into the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation CompanyPeninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company
The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, which is usually known as P&O, is a British shipping and logistics company which dated from the early 19th century. Following its sale in March 2006 to Dubai Ports World for £3.9 billion, it became a subsidiary of DP World; however, the P&O...
(P&O) in 1973.
Ships
NZSC operated a number of ships, some purpose built, others acquired from other operators by purchase, lease or charter.| Ship | Type | Date launched | Date acquired | Date disposed | Fate/ next assignment |
| Stad Haarlem | leased 1879 | ||||
| Fenstanton | steamship | chartered 1883 | |||
| British King | |||||
| Ionic | |||||
| Doric | |||||
| Tongariro | passenger cargo vessel | 1883 | 1883 | 1899 | Sold to British-India Steam Navigation Company British-India Steam Navigation Company British India Steam Navigation Company was formed in 1856 as the Calcutta and Burmah Steam Navigation Company. The company had been formed out of Mackinnon, Mackenzie & Co, a trading partnership of the Scots William Mackinnon and Robert Mackenzie, to carry mail between Calcutta and Rangoon. It... |
| Aorangi | refrigerated passenger liner | 1883 | 1914 | Scrapped | |
| Ruapehu | |||||
| Kaikoura | |||||
| Rimutaka (1) | |||||
| Ruahine (1) | 1891 | ||||
| Rotorua (2) | former Shropshire | ||||
| Rangitata RMS Rangitata The RMS Rangitata was an ocean passenger liner, built in 1929, and scrapped in 1962. She was operated by the New Zealand Shipping Company between London and Wellington, New Zealand, via the Panama Canal with her two sister ships Rangitiki and Rangitane.During World War II, Rangitata operated as a... |
diesel passenger liner | 1929 | 1929 | 1962 | Scrapped |
| Rangitiki | diesel passenger liner | 1929 | 1929 | 1962 | Scrapped |
| Rangitane MS Rangitane (1929) The RMS Rangitane was a passenger liner owned by the New Zealand Shipping Company. She was one of three sister ships delivered to the company in 1929 for the All-Red Route between Britain and New Zealand... |
diesel passenger liner | 1929 | 1929 | Sunk by enemy | |
| Remuera Remuera Remuera is a residential suburban area within Auckland city, in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located four kilometres to the southeast of the city centre... |
1947 | 1961 (former Parthia) | |||
| Rimutaka | passenger steamer | 1922 | 1938 | 1950 | |
| Remuera Remuera Remuera is a residential suburban area within Auckland city, in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located four kilometres to the southeast of the city centre... |
passenger steamer | 1911 | |||
| Rotorua Rotorua Rotorua is a city on the southern shores of the lake of the same name, in the Bay of Plenty region of the North Island of New Zealand. The city is the seat of the Rotorua District, a territorial authority encompassing the city and several other nearby towns... |
passenger steamer | 1911 | 1923 | 1940 | |
| Turakina | 1923 | 1940 | |||
| Rangitoto | between 1949 and 1951 | ||||
| Rangitane (2) | between 1949 and 1951 | ||||
| Ruahine (3) | between 1949 and 1951 | ||||
During World War II, Rangitata operated as a troopship, returning to civilian service by 1949.