Awatea

The Awatea ("Eye of the dawn" in Maori) was the finest express liner to serve the trans-Tasman route in the pre-war era. Built for the Union Steam Ship Company, she combined exceptional speed with Art Deco elegance and established numerous speed records during her brief but distinguished career.

Construction and Design

Constructed by Vickers, Armstrongs Ltd. at Barrow-in-Furness, England, Awatea was launched on February 25, 1936, by Lady Bledisloe, wife of New Zealand's Governor-General. The vessel featured an elegant Art Deco interior showcasing the finest New Zealand timbers. A distinctive stainless steel Greyhound insignia adorned her foremast.

Commercial Service (1936-1940)

Awatea commenced her maiden voyage from Wellington to Sydney on September 15, 1936, after setting a record for the trans-Panama journey during her delivery voyage. Under Captain A. Davey's command, she established numerous trans-Tasman speed records. His precise timing became so legendary that his son Jack Davey, a Sydney radio personality, reportedly set station clocks by his father's arrivals. The vessel engaged in friendly racing rivalry with the American ship Mariposa and conducted meteorological research during her regular crossings.

Wartime Service and Loss

Requisitioned for war service in 1940, Awatea served in various operations until November 1942. Her final engagement came off the North African coast, where German Stuka dive bombers attacked her. After becoming engulfed in flames, she capsized and sank the same day, joining several other vessels including the Karanja in the Mediterranean depths.

Key Facts

Specification	Detail
Gross Tonnage	13,482
Length	545 ft (166.1m)
Beam	74 ft (22.5m)
Draught	26 ft (7.9m)
Propulsion	Six S.R.G. turbines (22,500 SHP)
Speed	22 knots
Passenger Capacity	377 first, 151 tourist, 38 third class
Crew	242