My Grandpa’s Shipping Company 1904-1978.
The 1904 records show that Master-Captain Hugh Monro
with brothers Turnbull founded the Canterbury Steam Ship Company.
Their first ship was the coaster “Storm” and ever after, as their norm,
the Company named its ship resources after elemental forces.
From early years the “Storm” plied forth to Wanganui in the North
and down into the harbour mouth of old Port Chalmers in the South,
berthing between at Wellington and back to home-port Lyttelton,
she carried every kind of freight, from scheduled sailings, seldom late.
To aid the “Storm”, the “Gale” and “Breeze” were added new but both of these
in World War II were requisitioned and, by the Navy, reconditioned.
‘Twas only after war had ceased these ships were both again released.
By now the “Storm” was getting old and ten years later she was sold.
In 1948, the “Calm” was ordered to replace the “Storm”
and, late in 1954, the need was felt for one ship more.
In 1956, the “Squall” arrived. With four ships overall,
the Company viewed with unease, the ageing vessels “Gale” and “Breeze”.
To buy replacement ships the Board decided they could not afford
and yet, before they got too old, they knew the two ships should be sold.
Approaching, in extremity, the Union Steamship Company,
a deal was struck that seemed quite fair - the USSCo gained half share.
And so, in 1961, a brand-new “Storm” commenced its run.
The “Gale” was sold with relative ease, followed later by the “Breeze”.
Thus three sound ships were left to form the fleet: The “Calm”, the “Squall”, the “Storm”.
They handled all the freight they could and coastal trade was still quite good.
In August, 1962, Cook Strait rail-ferry came on new
and, after it was introduced, much coastal shipping was disused
as freight from North or South was railed and on “Aramoana” sailed.
The “Calm” and “Squall” were shortly laid to serve South Island’s bulk wheat trade.
The “Calm” was sold in ’71. Negotiations were begun
with the (then) Holm Shipping Company to take the two ships left of three.
Control of “Canty Steam” passed through to “Union Steam” in ‘72
until, in 1974, the Company’s office closed its door.
Thus, all my Grandpa’s hopes and fears survived for only seventy years.
He’d died in ’40, well before the start of the Pacific war.
My widowed Nanna lived to see the end of Grampa’s Company.
Hugh Wyles (grandson of Hugh Monro) September 21st. 2009.
Author notes
Thepicture, showing the vessel 'Breeze' berthed at Lyttelton Port in 1964 is by courtesy of Wkipedia.
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Comments
1 - 6 of 6
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What a beautiful leaf you've added to your family's tree with the addition of these beautiful verses commemorating your grandfather's accomplishments. I cannot think of a lovelier memorial than to have his ships continually sailing on in the Muses rhymes! Thus, although the company was finally berthed, the history of it lives eternally on. The grace and ease with which you've handled the internal rhyme is as wonderful as a smooth ocean passage!
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Dear Hugh,
Your family has a lot of history in the New Zealand early days and to think you received your name from your Grand Father is wonderful. I remember Lyttelton Harbour when we went for a ride on the Gondola and what a beautiful place it is.
It's a wonderful dedication to your Family's history and a lot of work and time has gone into it, even being as sick as you have been.
You should be very proud of yourself my dear friend on the wonderful poems you write. I know I am.
Love and hugs
Bea
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Verse that glides along the page like the ships sailing across the waves.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful rich family history with us, Hugh.
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Fascianting, Hugh, the story itself, and then
the form, the pleasing rhythm and rhyme---
oh, what a Master you are!
The names of the ships,
made so beautifully poetic
in your telling of the tale!
M-C
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Ah, you have the sea inside of you for generations...
The salty waves still move your heart and pen
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It is so hard to keep to rhythm and rhyme when using real names of things or places but you have made an heroic effort here. (Of course it helps if one knows the true pronuncitation of place and ships names)
It must be very satisfying to look back on the kind of family history you have inherited
and I'm sure your poems will be a valued part of that history for future generations
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