New Zealand MN

[Dennis McGuckin]

Met a guy yesterday who had been in the NZ MN.
During my time at sea, I don't recall seeing one of their ships.
In fact have only ever heard of the Oz and British MN.
Although NZ being an Island, I guess they had to have one.
Seams like most of his trips were to the Far East.
Any info out there?

[Doc Vernon]

Just some names of the NZ Merc in our times Den

https://natlib.govt.nz/records/22342...Bpath%5D=items

[Keith at Tregenna]

Several thousand New Zealanders served in the Merchant Navy during the Second World War. These civilian volunteers*sailed the ships that delivered troops, military equipment and vital cargoes of food, fuel and raw materials across the world's oceans. This work was so essential to the Allies' war effort that the Merchant Navy was effectively regarded as the fourth service alongside the army, navy and air force.

https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/the-merchant-navy

[Peter F Chard]

NZ had quite a large Merchant fleet until recent times -- The Union Steamship Coy was probably the largest, next would have been the Shipping Corp. of NZ, then The Northern Steamship Company, the Cook Strait Ferries, several coastal ships purpose built for carrying cement from the only cement works in the country located in Northland ( Whangarei ). It was a doomed industry due to a very, very militant Union. The largest ship in the fleet was the" New Zealand Pacific " 48000 GRT. Cheers, Peter in NZ.

[happy daze john in oz]

Met a guy yesterday who had been in the NZ MN.

Any info out there?

Yes Den there was, but there was a problem with all the sheep on board, just no room left for anything else.

But joking apart they have for now at least stopped their live animal export industry.

[Jim Brady]

I remember NZ ships running into Seaforth,some scousers living in NZ would get jobs aboard them and get a run home back to here.I think one ship was on a regular run to Seaforth container base.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[Ivan Cloherty]

Union Steamship Company remember seeing them in the 50's and 60's in NZ and OZ and if remember rightly had a olive green Hull with a gold stripe and a red funnel with two thin black bands and a black top. Most of the time when at sea they had their derricks stowed vertical and clamped to the mast table as always (it appeared) had loads of deck cargo. Neat looking little vessels around the 6/8000 dwt range for island trading

[Doc Vernon]

Union Steamship Company - MV Matua

[Ivan Cloherty]

Union Steamship Company - MV Matua

Memory's still okay then, for the time being at least, lovely looking little ships

[Doc Vernon]

They sure were Ivan very different Hull Colouring too!
If my memory is still working ,LOL was there not another Green Hull Ship ?
Northern Star??
Cheers