Story: Shipping

Building the Maheno

Building the Maheno

The shipyard William Denny & Brothers of Dumbarton, near Glasgow, was a major shareholder in the Union Steam Ship Company, and for 30 years built almost all its new ships. Dennys had a good name for its short-sea passenger ships and gave Union several cutting-edge vessels. Shown here being fitted out at Dennys in 1905, the 5,282-ton Maheno was a forerunner in the use of marine turbine engines. She made 17.25 knots on trials, but the machinery was not a success in service, and she had to be re-engined just before the First World War. The Maheno served as a hospital ship and as a trans-Tasman liner.

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How to cite this page:

Gavin McLean, 'Shipping - The Union Company expands', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/5899/building-the-maheno (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Gavin McLean, published 12 Jun 2006, updated 1 Jan 2016