NAIRANA
LocationWest of Princes Pier, Port Melbourne VHR NumberS482 Date lost18/02/1951 Year of construction1917 Official number132476 |
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Statement of Significance
Nairana was significant for its participation in the capture of Archangel in Russa, during WWI, August 1918. A subsequent ship was named after the Nairana.
The ship was then well known for the Bass Strait run. During WWII, Nairana was the only passenger link between Tasmania and the Mainland (UID 469). Well-loved by passengers.
| Physical Description | |
|---|---|
| Hull Details | 3 decks; not rigged; elliptical cruiser, clincher built, no galleries, straight head, steel passenger vessel framework;engine room 116.95 ft; water ballast tanks, 7 bulkheads Later fitted out for war - four 12 lb guns, 2 24 " searchlights, aircraft accom |
| Propulsion | Steam - Screw |
| Engine Specification | Parsons; Babcok & Wilcox |
| Engine Builder | Two shaft Parsons geared turbines. 550 nhp. 6 Babcock & Wilcox water tube boilers. 202lbs. Closed stokehold. 3 bladed screws (Denny List Part III) |
| Number of Masts | 2 |
| Length / Breadth / Depth | 315.8 Feet / 45.6 Feet / 16.1 Feet |
| History | |
| Builder | Denny Bros Ltd, Dumbarton |
| Built Date | 1917 |
| Built Port / Country | Dumbarton / Scotland |
| Registration Number | No. 5 of 1921 |
| Registration Port / Country | Melbourne / Australia |
| Former Details of Registration | Ordered by Huddart Parker for Bass Strait crossing |
| Details |
Had been laid up at anchor in Bay for three years when storm left it lying broadside to waves on beach. Originally being built for Bass Strait run, taken over in World War I while being built, completed as sea plane carrier, saw service in North Sea, patrolling the Russian coast and being instrumental in the capture of Archangel. Converted back to original design as passenger steamer for Tasmanian trade, operated by Tasmanian Steamers Pty Ltd. Laid up finally in Feb. 1948 after nearly 30 years, carrying more than one million passengers. Had become too old, complete renovation too expensive. Register closed 23 April 1953. Model in Queen Victoria Museum, Launceston. The remains of an iron or steel vessel were located near Port Melbourne by the M.A.A.V. and reported to the M.A.U. in November 1990, this site is may be the Nairana.
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| Uses of Vessel | |
| Primary Use | Defence |
| Secondary Use | Passenger - Coastal |
| Voyage Details | |
| Date Lost | 18/02/1951 |
| Owner | Nairana Pty Ltd, Collins St, Melbourne (12 June 1951) |
| Weather conditions |
Gale - 73 mph
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| Cause of Loss |
Dragged anchors and was irretreviably beached
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| Further Details | |
| Number of Passengers | 0 |
| Number of Crew Members | 0 |