SS Tapuhi 1945-1990

The SS Tapuhi was originally named Empire Shirley when built in 1945 by Alexander Hall & Co, at Footdee, on the eastern edge of Aberdeen Harbour, Scotland. Along with its sibling ship the SS Taioma (original name Empire Jane) it was built for the British Ministry of War Transport and used to support the D-Day landings during the war. In 1947 both tugs were purchased by the Union Steam Ship Company as replacements for the previous harbour tugs Natone and Terawhiti. The Tapuhi and the Taioma travelled to Wellington together, arriving in October 1947.

Tugs are vital to port operations in Wellington harbour, never more so than during the 1968 Wahine disaster.  The Tupihi was one of the first responders and even managed to get a tow line over to the Wahine before the line snapped due to the heavy seas.  It later returned to assist with rescue once the order to abandon the Wahine was given.

The Tapuhi was active on the Wellington harbour for 26 years but by 1973 had completed its active service. It was sold to Narain Shipping Limited in 1973, based in Fiji, and renamed the Tui Tawate. In 1978 it changed hands again, being purchased by Reece Discombe, a New Zealand engineer and diver in Port Villa, Vanuatu. Renamed the Tui Tuate it was used for salvage operations before being beached at Santo, Vanuatu in 1978.

In 1990 it was raised and scuttled as an artificial reef in the Segond Channel, between the Santo and Aore islands.