Wanganella and the Australian trans-Tasman Liners

This book tells the story of the trans-Tasman shipping service from the days of the earliest steam ship service to the liner Wanganella’s last voyage to New Zealand in 1963.

The only Australian company to maintain a service across the Tasman Sea was Huddart Parker, who survived numerous attempts by the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand to drive them off the route in the early days. Eventually the two agreed to share the route in several co-operative agreements.
In 1961 Huddart Parker Limited ended their interest in the Tasman trade when the company was sold, but Wanganella continued to operate to New Zealand for McIlwraith, McEacharn Limited.
In 1962, Wanganella was sold to Hang Fung Shipping, of Hong Kong, but in July 1963 was sold again, and became a workers’ hostel at Doubtful Sound, in the South Island of New Zealand. Wanganella was sold again at the end of 1969, and on 5 June 1970 arrived at a shipbreaking yard in Taiwan.

PETER PLOWMAN lives in Sydney. He has written several maritime books, among the most recent of which are: Across the Sea to War, The Sitmar Liners, Ferry to Tasmania, Murray Darling Paddleboats, Australian Migrant Ships 1946–1977, The Chandris Liners, Australian Cruise Ships and Coast to Coast.

Link below to hear his interview with Radio New Zealand's Jim Mora in which he talks about both the new book Wanganella and other titles .

http://www.radionz.co.nz/__data/assets/audio_item/0010/1929745/aft-20090427-1510-Author_Slot_-_Peter_Plowman-m048.asx

Wanganella and the Australian Trans-Tasman Liners
188 pages in A4 format, 128 black and white photos, 24 in colour with 7 maps and deck plans.
Transpress - RRP $NZ 45