The M.V.PURIRI named after a Tree indiginous to New Zealand

Departing Greymouth with a cargo of timber 1965

(photo from G.Ferguson collection) 

Once a ship had been built and launched she then had to be out-fitted, and then complete sea trials
before being handed over to her new owners, who would look to have that ship at sea, as long as possible to
pay for her build costs and of course to make the company good profits.

To this end one company may have had no requirement for a particular ship after a time and would then sell her
on just like any other disposable commodity.

Hence a ship may have had a few owners and would go through many changes and names during what was
hoped for a long and successful working life.

The motor vessel PURIRI was a similar (but smaller) cargo ship to the colliers that had been built for the Union Steamship Company, she was a replacement ordered by the Anchor St & Foundry Co Ltd, Nelson, New Zealand. With the  previous PURIRI having been sunk during World War II.

She was used to transport coal and timber along with general cargo, and she was a familiar sight in the port of Greymouth N.Z.

 The M.V.PURIRI seen here unloading coal at Wanganui (phot credit City of Wellington Mueseum)

  She was to serve the Anchor Company for 26 years before being sold to the Maldive Shipping Company and re-named Maldive Pilot.

Sold on again to Singapore interests she was finally broken up, just before the New Year of 1980, after a working life of around 32 years.

We try here to give as full an account of her history as time and research permits, if you know of missing info
or you have any photographs of her, then please get in touch and we shall update her story as we go along.

M.V.PURIRI seen here swinging at the wharf to get around and head back down the river at Greymouth.

(photo from G.Ferguson collection)