TSMV Kaitawa 1949-1966

The TSMV Kaitawa was a collier built in Leith, Scotland by Henry Robb. It was built for the USSCo and was the third ship in the AC class. Kaitawa carried coal to and from the West Coast ports (Greymouth and Westport) and the Auckland and Whangarei ports. Some of its notable clients were Chelsea Sugar, the Auckland Gas Company and the Portland cement works.

On 23rd May 1966, the ship sailed from Westport with a 29-person crew embarking on a familiar journey to the Portland cement works via the North Cape. Due to heavy seas and a strong westerly gale, the Kaitawa hit the Pandora Bank and the ship capsized with all hands about nine miles off Cape Maria van Dieman.  Most of the wreckage drifted ashore at Te Paengarehia and the rest of the ship was found near Cape Reinga after a major search, though only one body was recovered on Ninety Mile Beach. After the tragedy, the inquiry findings led to changes in the coastal shipping operation.