SS Ruahine
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Owner | New Zealand Shipping Company |
| Builder | William Denny and Brothers |
| Launched | 1909 |
| In service | 1910 |
| Out of service | 1949 |
| Fate | Sold |
| History | |
 Italy | |
| Name | Auriga |
| Owner | Fratelli Grimaldi |
| Acquired | 1949 |
| Fate | Scrapped 1957 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 10,758 gross tons |
| Length | 497 ft (151 m) |
| Beam | 60 ft (18 m) |
| Propulsion | Steam |
| Capacity | 520 passengers (as built) |
SS Ruahine was a passenger ship that operated during the 20th century, primarily in line service between Great Britain and New Zealand for the New Zealand Shipping Company.
Ruahine was built by William Denny and Brothers, and was launched in 1909.[1] She entered service for the New Zealand Shipping Company the following year, sailing from London to Auckland and Wellington via the Panama Canal.[1] Her primary passenger traffic were immigrants outbound from London, and she transported cargo in both directions—finished goods to New Zealand and raw foods on the return.[1] She operated in this capacity until 1949, when she was sold to the Italian firm Fratelli Grimaldi, renamed Auriga, and began operating on immigrant routes from Italy and France.[1] In 1957, she was retired from service and scrapped.[1]
Ruahine measured 10,758 gross tons, and was 497 feet (151 m) long, with a beam of 60 feet (18 m).[1] She was powered by triple-expansion steam engines which drove two screws, giving her a service speed of 14 knots (16 mph).[1] As built for line service, she had a three-class passenger configuration with a total capacity of 520; in her later Italian-flagged service she could carry 800 passengers.[1]