SS Arawata 1875-1927

Built by Thomas Wingate & Co., in Glasgow, the SS Arawata was first owned by  McMeckan, Blackwood & Co. of Melbourne. She was an Iron Screw Steamer and was a general cargo ship. She was a sister ship to the Ringarooma, also purchased by McMeckan, Blackwood & Co.

The Arawata was originally a passenger steamer of 576 tons and had a speed of 15 knots.

She was acquired by the Union Steam Ship Company NZ in 1878. She served as a passenger ship from 1878, going between Melbourne and the southern ports of New Zealand.

In 1897 she was laid up as a store ship at Wellington and used as a coal hulk. She sank in collision with SS Devon at Kaiwharawhara, Wellington, and the wreck was dispersed by explosives on 26 January 1928.