SS TOROA CELEBRATES HER CENTENARY

The steam ferry Toroa turns 100 this year, and we are putting out an urgent call to action for donors, sponsors and volunteers to get behind the completion of the restoration and the return of the historic ferry to operation on the Waitematā.

Rescued from the chainsaws and burial in a Westhaven reclamation, later raised from the bottom of the harbour after sinking at Birkenhead Wharf, towed to Henderson Creek and onto the hard at Selwood Road, S.S. Toroa is the only survivor of the steam ferry fleet which plied Auckland’s harbour before the harbour bridge, and she is the last of her kind.

Toroa *heading for Devonport early one morning in 1969* (c. Barry-Davis, TPS Collection)

The Plan
Picture a stately ferry steaming smoothly and by no means slowly over the waters of the Waitematā, the engine turning slowly and powerfully with a slight clank from the air-pump, with a smooth wake and a froth under the bow from the fore propeller, the open decks occupied by passengers enjoying the absence of noise and the calm connection with the historical and ecological heritage of the harbour, with shelter and refreshments in the cabins and a boutique ferry museum down below.

Operating as a heritage excursion steamer, much as the Earnslaw does at Queenstown, the Toroa will connect with historic Devonport and North Head, lunch and a tour of the Chelsea Sugar Works, and the ecological and historic revival of volcanic Rangitoto and Motutapu. And the other way, up the harbour to Hobsonville and to Herald Island, which was once owned by the Devonport Steam Ferry Company and was the destination by steam ferry for every works, union, church and society annual picnic. The Toroa will carry locals, visitors national and international, heritage tourists, cruise ship passengers, and every school pupil in Auckland. With four cabins on two vast decks, she will provide corporate and private charters and a superb venue for music on the water. Handel and Fleetwood Mac (Peter Green’s Albatross) spring to mind. A unique and pleasurable contribution to Auckland’s tourism offerings.

The Restoration
Marking her centennial year, the volunteer team of the Toroa Preservation Society are ready to start installing new planking on her new frames, frames made from a kilometre of bespoke steel milled in Northern England, hot-bent to shape at the restoration yard and installed with steel bulkheads and over 10,000 rivets. Her original ribs were so badly corroded that until this massive steelwork renewal was completed the new planks had nothing to be attached to. In tandem, very large timbers have been sourced, an onsite timber mill erected, and planking is being milled in preparation for Toroa’s new hull and decking.

Also completed is the restoration of the triple-expansion engine (which was craned out through the steamship’s deck), auxiliary machinery and the two wheel-houses. Colossal progress, mostly invisible from outside the restoration site.

The steamship is being restored to the Maritime NZ Maritime Rules and will be able to operate on forestry waste, not coal, and carry up to 400 passengers — passengers who can enjoy the peaceful heartbeat and open decks of this historic steam-powered vessel while exploring and taking pleasure in our harbour, gaining an appreciation of our precious marine environment and the story of Aotearoa’s incredible maritime heritage, and Tāmaki Makaurau’s long tradition of boat building from waka tētē to sailing ships, coasters, steam ferries and yachts.

Toroa’s patron, Sir Bob Harvey, former mayor of Waitakere City, says, “Toroa is an important part of New Zealand Aotearoa’s maritime and social history; it must be preserved and operate again on its home, the Waitematā Harbour. Toroa has been at the centre of water transport on the harbour for 100 years. It’s had a little rest while it’s being repaired and restored, and now we can hardly wait to see it afloat again.”

Toroa has survived against the odds and is now ready for a well-supported push to complete the restoration and get her ready to be launched back on the Harbour. The Society needs generous donors, sponsors and advocates to make that happen, as well as additional members and volunteers (including those with marketing and social media skills).

What can you do to assist?
The rate of progress of the restoration is completely dependent on the funding. The materials and the specialist contractors are all to hand —funding is the single most crucial need for returning the Toroa to operating in steam on the Waitematā. Along with that the project needs volunteers of a wide range of skills. Please let us know if you can assist in any way

Getting in touch