PS Waimarie
Encyclopedia
The PS Waimarie is an historic riverboat
based on the Whanganui River
in New Zealand
.
in 1899 as a kitset. Assembled at Wanganui
, and named PS Aotea, she began service with the Wanganui Settlers River Steamship Co.
In 1892 Alexander Hatrick was contracted by Thomas Cook
to carry tourists to Pipiriki on the paddle-steamer; the journey was "The Rhine of Maoriland" tourist route into the interior of New Zealand. Hatrick's company purchased the Aotea in 1902 and she was renamed Waimarie, which means peaceful waters in Māori
.
The Waimarie operated a regular service between Wanganui
and Pipiriki until 1949, carrying cargo, mail and passengers. In 1952, she sank at her moorings in Wanganui.
During the summer season she operates cruises on the lower stretches of the river, including dinner cruises to Avoca Hotel at Upokongaro and trips to Hipango Park for overnight camping.
Riverboat
A riverboat is a ship built boat designed for inland navigation on lakes, rivers, and artificial waterways. They are generally equipped and outfitted as work boats in one of the carrying trades, for freight or people transport, including luxury units constructed for entertainment enterprises, such...
based on the Whanganui River
Whanganui River
The Whanganui River is a major river in the North Island of New Zealand.Known for many years as the Wanganui River, the river's name reverted to Whanganui in 1991, according with the wishes of local iwi. Part of the reason was also to avoid confusion with the Wanganui River in the South Island...
in 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...
.
History
It is a paddle steamer, built by Yarrow & Co in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1899 as a kitset. Assembled at Wanganui
Whanganui
Various places in New Zealand are called Whanganui:*Whanganui, a city at the mouth of the Whanganui River, also often spelled "Wanganui", Manawatu-Wanganui Region*Whanganui District, Manawatu-Wanganui Region*Whanganui Island, Waikato Region...
, and named PS Aotea, she began service with the Wanganui Settlers River Steamship Co.
In 1892 Alexander Hatrick was contracted by Thomas Cook
Thomas Cook
Thomas Cook of Melbourne, Derbyshire, England founded the travel agency that is now Thomas Cook Group.- Early days :...
to carry tourists to Pipiriki on the paddle-steamer; the journey was "The Rhine of Maoriland" tourist route into the interior of New Zealand. Hatrick's company purchased the Aotea in 1902 and she was renamed Waimarie, which means peaceful waters in Māori
Maori language
Māori or te reo Māori , commonly te reo , is the language of the indigenous population of New Zealand, the Māori. It has the status of an official language in New Zealand...
.
The Waimarie operated a regular service between Wanganui
Whanganui
Various places in New Zealand are called Whanganui:*Whanganui, a city at the mouth of the Whanganui River, also often spelled "Wanganui", Manawatu-Wanganui Region*Whanganui District, Manawatu-Wanganui Region*Whanganui Island, Waikato Region...
and Pipiriki until 1949, carrying cargo, mail and passengers. In 1952, she sank at her moorings in Wanganui.
Restoration
Salvaged in 1993, a six-year restoration project began, and PS Waimarie commenced tourist cruises in 2000.During the summer season she operates cruises on the lower stretches of the river, including dinner cruises to Avoca Hotel at Upokongaro and trips to Hipango Park for overnight camping.