Cyrenia (ex-Maunganui)

Built in 1911 by Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. of Glasgow, this versatile passenger vessel served for nearly half a century under two distinct identities. First as Maunganui for New Zealand's Union Steam Ship Company, then as Cyrenia carrying displaced persons and migrants to Australia.

Union Steam Ship Company Years (1911-1947)

Delivered in December 1911, Maunganui began operating the Australia-New Zealand "horseshoe service" in February 1912. Her civilian service was interrupted by WWI when she was requisitioned as a troop transport in August 1914, serving worldwide until late 1919.

In 1922, after conversion from coal to oil-firing, she resumed commercial service between Australia, New Zealand, and San Francisco. From 1925, she primarily worked trans-Tasman routes, with occasional relief voyages to North America, before returning permanently to the San Francisco route in 1932 until its discontinuation in 1936.

During WWII, Maunganui served as a hospital ship from 1941, visiting South Africa, Egypt, and India before joining the British Pacific Fleet in operations against Japan. She carried New Zealand's official contingent to London's victory celebrations before returning to Wellington. By war's end, she had steamed 2,184,081 miles since construction.

Cyrenia Years (1947-1957)

Purchased by Panamanian company Cia Nav. Del Atlantico, she departed Wellington on February 12, 1947, bound for Greece. Refitted with basic accommodation for 840 passengers and renamed Cyrenia, she began carrying displaced persons to Australia under Hellenic Mediterranean Lines management.

Her first migrant voyage departed March 6, 1949, reaching Fremantle on April 2 and Melbourne on April 8. A second voyage began June 1, including a Malta call. After Hellenic Line's purchase, Cyrenia operated under the Greek flag between Genoa and Australian ports. In 1950, she evacuated French nationals from war-torn Saigon.

Declining migrant numbers led to her laying up in June 1952. She briefly returned to service in 1954 on the Piraeus-Melbourne route, made her only Sydney visit in 1955, and departed Melbourne for the final time on November 1, 1956. Cyrenia arrived at Savona's breaking yard on February 6, 1957.

Key Facts

Specification	Details
Built	1911, Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co, Glasgow
Tonnage	7,527 gross
Dimensions	447 x 56ft (136.2m x 17m)
Propulsion	Quadruple expansion engines, twin screws
Speed	14 knots
Original Capacity	244 first class, 175 second class, 80 third class
Later Capacity	840 single class