MS Ruahine

MS Ruahine was a passenger ship that operated in the mid-20th century, primarily for the New Zealand Shipping Company.

MS Ruahine
History
United Kingdom
Owner	New Zealand Shipping Company (1951–1966) Federal Line (1966–1967)
Builder	John Brown & Company
Launched	11 December 1950
Completed	3 May 1951
In service	1951
Out of service	1967
Fate	Sold
History
Hong Kong
Name	Oriental Rio
Owner	Orient Overseas Line
Acquired	1968
Fate	Scrapped 1974
General characteristics
Tonnage	17,851 gross register tons
Length	584 ft (178 m)
Beam	75 ft (23 m)
Propulsion	Diesel
Capacity	267 passengers

Built by John Brown & Company for the New Zealand Shipping Company, she was launched on 11 December 1950 and entered service in May 1951.[1] She operated in combined passenger and cargo trade from London to Auckland and Wellington, arriving in New Zealand in November 1951.[1][2] At the end of 1966, she was transferred to the fleet of New Zealand Shipping subsidiary Federal Line, but operated under the British flag for only one more year, making her final New Zealand voyage in late 1967.[1] She was subsequently sold to the Orient Overseas Line and renamed Oriental Rio, sailing under the Hong Kong flag until she was scrapped in 1974.[1][3]

Ruahine measured 17,851 gross register tons, and was 584 feet (178 m) long, with a beam of 75 feet (23 m).[2] She was powered by Doxford diesel engines driving two screws, which gave her a service speed of 16.5 knots (19.0 mph).[2] She had a passenger capacity of 267 in a single-class configuration.[2]