The Scow "Portland" - 1910-?

The Portland is a rare survivor of a type of ship once common in New Zealand ports - especially the smaller ones.  Built with a flat bottom and shallow draught, they could make their way up coastal streams at high tide to lie on the bottom at low tide to be loaded.

AUCKLAND SHIPBUILDING

There was also launched at the same time from Mr. G. T. Niccoll's yard a new 100ton scow, built to the order of Wilson's Portland Cement Company, which was christened Portland. It is intended to employ her in the cement-carrying trade from Mahurangi to Auckland. The company have five boats engaged in this trade, and they intend to build two more vessels during the next 12 months.  -NZ Herald, 21/11/1910.

POLICE COURT NEWS

HOW DID IT GET THERE? 

To discover a sovereign in the toe of one's boot would be a pleasant surprise to most people, but Thomas Martyn was amazed and grieved when Police-Sergeant Ramsay discovered one resting in his. He said he could not make out how it got there, and instead of being exhilarated by the find, he looked very much the opposite. A theory was put forward by a young man named Brown, who sleeps in the same cabin as Martyn, on the scow Portland, to the effect that the coin might be his property. His reason for coming to this conclusion was that he counted some money over in the presence of his cabin mate overnight, and in the morning a sovereign was missing. Hence he informed the police, and Martyn was charged. The magistrate committed the prisoner for trial.   -NZ Herald, 7/4/1911.

While sailing up the Mahurangi river some days ego, the scow Portland, which is engaged in the Mahurangi-Auckland lime trade, was struck by a sudden squall. The foremast was snapped off close to the deck, while the mizzen topmast was carried away, together with all running gear. The Portland was towed to Auckland.   -Auckland Star, 30/12/1912.

Frederick W. Hunt (31); a married man, employed as cook on the scow Portland, dropped dead while he was getting the dinner ready aboard the scow at Whangarei yesterday morning.   -Auckland Star, 22/11/1915.

IN MEMORIAM.

HUNT. — In fond and loving memory of my dear husband, Frederick William Hunt, who died suddenly on the scow Portland at Whangarei, November 21, 1915. 

Had we but seen him yet in life, Watched by his dying bed, 

Caught the last flicker at his breath, And touched his dying head,

We think our hearts would mot have felt Such bitterness of grief; 

But God had willed It otherwise, And "Hush, he only sleeps." 

Inserted by his loving wife, Georgiana Elizabeth Hunt. "  -Auckland Star, 21/11/1916.

SHIPPING NEWS

PORTLAND WITH EXPLOSIVES. 

Messrs. Bannatyne and Co., agents for the Nobel Explosives Company, have received advice that the scow Portland is to leave Auckland to-day with explosives for Wellington. She is due about the end of next week, and will subsequently sail for Westport and Greymouth to load timber for Auckland.  -Dominion, 19/12/1917.

TENDERS

Tender, closing at 4pm on the 12th inst and endorsed "Tender for A.S. Portland," are invited for the Complete Installation of Two Semi-Diesel Engines in the Scow Portland, owned by J. T. Aspden, Esq. 

Plans and specifications may be inspected at the Office of the undersigned. 

HORACE E. HERRING. A.M.I.C.E., Consulting Engineer, 403, Victoria Arcade, Auckland.  -NZ Herald, 8/10/1925.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The scow Portland loaded a cargo of butter-boxes at the Whangarei Town Wharf this morning for Hokianga.  -Northern Advocate, 22/9/1926.

The scow PORTLAND will leave Auckland every Monday in future and will arrive in Awanui on Wednesday. Geo. Cosson, Agent. Phone 24M, Awanui.  -Northland Age, 12/1/1927.

SHIPPING NEWS

SCOW PORTLAND SOLD. 

The small scow Portland has been sold to Mr. Osborne, of Foxton, and sailed for that port last evening. She was formerly owned by the Aspden Shipping Co., and for some time has been running between Auckland and Whakatane, to the agency of A. G. Frankham and Co.   -Auckland Star, 10/2/1928.

 TRADE TO FOXTON.

A SCOW PURCHASED. 

(From Our Own Correspondent.) FOXTON, Feb. 11. A local resident has purchased the auxiliary scow, Portland, for the Foxton-Wellington trade. The Portland was built in Auckland for a cement company and can carry a cargo of 90 tons dead weight. The vessel draws five feet, is driven by two 60 h.p. crude oil engines, is fitted with electric light and oil winch and has two hatches. The Portland is expected to arrive in Foxton on Tuesday with a cargo of sugar for Palmerston North merchants. The boat will be used exclusively on the Foxton-Wellington run.  -Manawatu Standard, 11/2/1928.

SCOW PORTLAND ENCOUNTERS BAD WEATHER.

TOWED INTO PORT WITH MIZZEN AND MAIN-SAIL LOST. 

Exceptionally heavy weather was encountered in Palliser Bay on Sunday night by the auxiliary schooner Portland while on her return from Foxton to Wellington, and her mizzen and mainsail were carried away shortly before midnight. As the schooner was unable to make any headway with her auxiliary motors, she signalled for the assistance of a tug. The harbourmaster (Captain J. Dawson) received the message at an early hour yesterday morning from the signal station of Beacon Hill, and the Harbour Board’s tug, Toia, in command of Captain Campbell, left at 2.30 a.m. to take the vessel in tow. A search was made in Fitzroy Bay, and the Portland’s lights were picked up about 11 miles south of Turakirae Head. The disabled vessel was taken in tow at 5.30 a.m., and arrived in port at 9.45 a.m. without incident. Apart from the loss of her sails the Portland sustained no damage, and will leave Wellington to-night for Foxton.  -Manawatu Herald, 4/9/1928.

Foxton

Shipping

The scow Portland, which has been laid up alongside the Foxton wharf foi many months, is being refitted preparatory to again being put into commission. A crew has arrived from Wellington and is busily engaged in getting tho vessel shipshape. It is understood that the Portland has recently changed hands and that her future base of operations will be Nelson.   -Manawatu Times, 2/8/1929.

SCOW STRIKES REEF

HOLE IN THE HULL

(By Telegraph — Press Association.) NELSON, This Day.

While proceeding from Nelson to Puponga, the auxiliary scow Portland, owned by Messrs. Neale and Haddow, struck a reef off Bark Bay, near Tonga, a hole being driven into the hull. The ship quickly filled with water and heeled over on her side, the crew of six being compelled to abandon her, and making a safe landing. The weather, though not particularly rough at the time, was very thick and foggy. The vessel commenced to drift. Assistance is being sent from Motueka. Today the sea became rougher under a stiff northerly.

Damage done by lipsticks to frocks being tried on by mannequins and customers have caused some London dressmakers to introduce a "lipmask," a paper shape covering the mouth, with a projection behind to be gripped between the teeth.  -Evening Post, 13/8/1934.

SCOW SALVAGED

HOLED ON STARBOARD BOW.

(Per Press Association). NELSON, August 17. On Wednesday, at Bark Bay, the trawler Spray secured a masthead of the sunken auxiliary scow Portland, and heaved her on to an even keel. Later, with other assistance, the vessel was hauled a quarter of a mile to within five chains of the beach. Several attempts were made before the vessel was hauled to low-water mark, when the hole in the bow was patched with a tarpaulin and pumps were rigged. Gradually the vessel was emptied and hauled to high-water mark. 

The Portland was holed on the starboard side near the bow. It was reported to-day that a heavy log, 2 1/2ft through and about 30ft long, was seen drifting near the scene of the wreck, and it is thought possible that this was the cause of the mishap.  -Ashburton Guardian, 18/8/1934.

PUPONGA COMPANY’S PORTLAND

VESSEL DRAWN CLEAR OF HIGH WATER MARK 

LARGE FLOATING LOG POSSIBLE CAUSE OF ACCIDENT 

Mr P. B. Calder, who has returned to Motueka, when interviewed, said the Portland sank in the mouth of Barks Bay. He took the crew of the Portland to his whare in Torrent Bay. The trawler Spray arrived from Nelson on Tuesday evening, and on Wednesday the Spray got hold of the masthead of the scow, and heaved her onto an even keel. On Wednesday the Pearl Kaspar, the Spray, Calder's launch, and another trawler, the Liberta, with the aid of a heavy sea, hauled her up the beach. They then left her till flood tide. On Wednesday night they put a line ashore to the trees, and from 11 o’clock till 12.30 in the morning they tried to shift the scow, but were unable to move her. During the night a strong gale sprang up, and Mr Calder took the crew to Torrent Bay, and the Pearl Kaspar also went there for shelter. Mr C. Calder in the Spray stayed in Bark Bay to watch the scow. Yesterday at high water the Spray got hold of a shore line, and with the aid of the boat’s tackle got a haulage on the Portland, and she was pulled up to the low water mark. It blew a howling gale on Thursday afternoon. Yesterday morning all hands working in the water were able to cover the hole in the bow of the Portland with a tarpaulin. The pumps were rigged, and all hands got to work. The strain was kept on the shore line, and gradually the scow eased to high water mark. The beach at this point is sandy and steep. 

Mr Calder returned to Motueka at 1 o’clock yesterday for food and materials to patch the boat. The engineers were able to take down the engines as they are now out of the water. The scow will be patched as soon as possible, and when the tide permits will be taken to a safer bay. 

The Portland is holed on the starboard side near the bow. It is understood after tile Portland was holed she steamed for 20 minutes before settling down. Mr Calder to-day reported a heavy log 2 1/2 feet through and about 30 feet long drifting near the scene of the wreck. It is possible the log was the cause of the sinking of the Portland. 

The weather was very bad on Thursday night, and Mr Calder’s launch had four distinct earthquake bumps. 

It is fully expected the. Portland will be brought to Nelson during the day or to-morrow morning.  -Neklson Evening Mail, 18/8/1934.

The auxiliary scow The Portland, which met with a mishap off Bark Bay and was brought back to Nelson, will leave at 6 o’clock this evening for Picton, sailing under her own power, but convoyed by Mr Sussex’s Spray as far as Jackson’s Head. At Picton The Portland will go on the slip for repairs.  -Nelson Evening Mail, 29/8/1934.

The Portland was back at work after about a month.

GENERAL ITEMS

Youth Suffers Burns. 

A youth named Douglas Mayers suffered burns on the face, chest and right arm when he struck a match to light kerosene which he had thrown onto embers in the stove on the scow Portland. He was admitted to hospital for treatment but was discharged yesterday. The young man might have suffered much more serious injuries and the accident emphasises the care which should he taken by people using kerosene for fires.  -Nelson Evening Mail, 28/12/1937.

SUDDEN DEATH

MAN EXPIRES AT PORT 

The death occurred suddenly at the wharf this morning of Mr Arthur Norman Burton, aged about 45 years, of 50 Waimea street, who was employed unloading coal from the scow Portland. At about 8.15 o'clock Mr Burton mentioned to one of the other workmen that he was not feeling well, and he went away from his work to the wharf conveniences. About five minutes later Mr Burton was found lying on the floor of the conveniences, with a cut on his head, evidently the result of striking something when he collapsed. A doctor and the ambulance arrived about 20 minutes later and it was found that the man was dead.

Mr Burton was a married man with three children.  -Nelson Evening Mail, 14/4/1939.

GENERAL NEWS

The Scow Portland 

The scow Portland, owned by the Westhaven Shipping Company, of Nelson, will make its first visit to Wanganui this week. It will load 90 tons of cement at Tarakohe today and is due at Castlecliff tomorrow. After discharge the Portland will load pumice and general cargo for Nelson.   -Wanganui Chronicle, 29/6/1949.

Coaster Runs Ashore 

The 94-ton wooden coastal vessel Portland, bound from Wellington to Tarakohe, ran ashore in dense fog off Jackson’s Head, at the entrance to Queen Charlotte Sound on Wednesday night. She was empty when she struck rocks offshore. The Portland, a former scow, could not get off under her own power and sent calls for assistance. All nearby ships were diverted, and the coaster Te Aroha, bound from Wellington to Nelson, towed the Portland clear. The Portland sailed to Nelson under her own power, with the Te Aroha standing by. She has no apparent damage.  -Press, 11/12/1953.

SCOW AND YACHT IN COLLISION

Damage Comparatively Light

(New Zealand Press Association) NELSON, September 5. The Westhaven Shipping Company’s auxiliary scow Portland (Captain R. R. Hay) and the 90ft yacht Fitheachban, owned by Captain A. D. Tregidga, collided in the entrance to Port Nelson about 7.30 o'clock last evening. 

Fitheachban was returning to Nelson from Pelorus Sound to refit for a world cruise. The other vessel was leaving port. 

Neither vessel was badly damaged but the Portland returned to port.  -Press, 7/9/1960.

The Portland, a 75ft scow, has arrived at Dunedin for repairs to hull damage caused when she grounded near Wellington late last year, reports the Press Association. Formerly based at Nelson to carry cargo across Cook Strait, the Portland will spend about a month in Carey's Bay, where she tied up yesterday. A spokesman for her new owners said yesterday her future was not yet decided, but she might find work at Bluff, dumping oyster shells and carrying gravel.  -Press, 28/2/1973.

It was at some time in the mid to late 1970s that I remember seing the Portland tied up at Careys Bay fishing wharf.  I knew little about such things then but knew it looked different from the other vessels there - it was probably the mast and rigging.

According to the local paper, the Portland was bought in 1979 and used as holiday accommodation at Pounawea in the Catlins.  In 2011 the Portland sank and was pumped out by the Owaka fire brigade.  Two years later it was bought by a man who intended to sail to Auckland - a quick look at the planking of the hull changed his mind.  According to locals, the Portland was then sold for $5.  The Portland was sold again in  2015 to someone who hopes to restore the scow.  As the sole survivor of its type, it deserves a lot better than to slowly rot on the mudbank.