TSMV Matua 1936-1969

Built in 1936 by Hawthorn Leslie in Newcastle, the TSMV Matua was a popular passenger ship on the Pacific island run. It had an accommodation capacity of 40 passengers.  Round trips from Auckland to Rarotonga, Nukualofa, Apia and Suva cost $156 in 1936.

The TSMV Matua was a very successful vessel which served Union Company for 32 years and was painted white in early years but changed to standard Union Company colours in 1949. 

In 1968 it was purchased by K L Shipping Corp Manila Sultan who owned it until it was broken up in 1970 by Taiwanese shipbrokers after running ashore in Manila Bay during a typhoon.