The Rangiriri
An artis't impression of the Rangiriri steamer
The Rangariri remains looking at thestern and paddle wheel mounting
The Rangiriri remains lookingfrom the bow towards the stern
The remains of the bow of the Rangriri
Looking towards the bow of the RangiririThe Rangariri, an important part of Hamilton’s history.
The photos above show the remains of the paddle steamer Rangiriri, which is finally being preserved for its importance in the early history of Hamilton and the Waikato River. These remains were called the ‘gunboat Rangiriri’ but it was never used to fire a shot in anger.
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As a boy growing up in Hamilton my friends and I would often visit this site where the remains at that time lay at a ‘port to starboard’ angle on the river bank full of river mud and weeds. Though we knew some of the history of the decaying shell I often wondered if that was just a story and the hulk was really just one of the old barges used by a local company called Roose Shipping who, in my younger days used to tow big flat steel barges up and down the river dredging for river sand which had a ready sale in the district.
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Though we played in the remains it never held our attention for long as there was not much about it to capture the imagination.
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Today the hulk has been dragged firmly onto shore, been covered with a roof to preserve it and a security fence to protect it from further vandalism, which has been rife at this spot, and work is continuing to try to reinstate some of the historic ship’s aura.
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A vandalised sign nearby tells the story which I have reproduced here:
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“The Rangiriri, a paddle steamer, was built in Sydney, Australia as a gunboat. However the Rangiriri was never used in combat and is most famous for transporting some of the first militia settler families to Kirikiriroa (now Hamilton) in 1864. It then operated as a supply boat carrying mail and settlers up and down the river before good roads were built. It sank and was raised several times before in 1889 it ran aground and was abandoned just off shore. It then became a favourite swimming spot for children and swimming right around the wreck was right of passage.
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In 1982, it was lifted out of the water, restored and placed where you see it today. Plans are under way for its preservation and permanent placement, recognising its importance in the development and history of Hamilton East.”
The photos above show the remains of the paddle steamer Rangiriri, which is finally being preserved for its importance in the early history of Hamilton and the Waikato River. These remains were called the ‘gunboat Rangiriri’ but it was never used to fire a shot in anger.
.
As a boy growing up in Hamilton my friends and I would often visit this site where the remains at that time lay at a ‘port to starboard’ angle on the river bank full of river mud and weeds. Though we knew some of the history of the decaying shell I often wondered if that was just a story and the hulk was really just one of the old barges used by a local company called Roose Shipping who, in my younger days used to tow big flat steel barges up and down the river dredging for river sand which had a ready sale in the district.
.
Though we played in the remains it never held our attention for long as there was not much about it to capture the imagination.
.
Today the hulk has been dragged firmly onto shore, been covered with a roof to preserve it and a security fence to protect it from further vandalism, which has been rife at this spot, and work is continuing to try to reinstate some of the historic ship’s aura.
.
A vandalised sign nearby tells the story which I have reproduced here:
.
“The Rangiriri, a paddle steamer, was built in Sydney, Australia as a gunboat. However the Rangiriri was never used in combat and is most famous for transporting some of the first militia settler families to Kirikiriroa (now Hamilton) in 1864. It then operated as a supply boat carrying mail and settlers up and down the river before good roads were built. It sank and was raised several times before in 1889 it ran aground and was abandoned just off shore. It then became a favourite swimming spot for children and swimming right around the wreck was right of passage.
.
In 1982, it was lifted out of the water, restored and placed where you see it today. Plans are under way for its preservation and permanent placement, recognising its importance in the development and history of Hamilton East.”
.
