Tug 'Hipi'

Hipi was built in 1909 for Nelson Bros, owners of the Tomoana Freezing Works. Initially she had two Simpson Strickland triple expansion steam engines, later replaced by compound engines. In 1933 the steam engines were removed and two Petter Atomic T25/2m diesel engines of 50 hp each were fitted. After the WWII she was sold by tender to Parry Bros, who removed the Petters and replaced them with two Kelvin K4’s of 88 hp each. The Kelvins were replaced with twin 8L3 Gardners of 150 hp. In 1976 she went aground at Papakura Bay and became a total loss.

The above information is condensed from here

1934 'Messrs. Petters, Limited, Westland Works, Yeovil, recently supplied two 50-b.h.p. atomic Diesel marine engines for installation in the motorship Hipi, a vessel measuring 50 ft. by 14 ft. by 6 ft. employed for towing lighters to ocean-going vessels anchored in the roadstead at Gisborne, New Zealand. These engines have replaced twin compound 60-h.p. steam engines. It is reported that trials which have now been conducted have shown that the speed, towing capacity, and operating economy of the new engines are considerably superior to those of the original steam installation.'

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