Wahine relic goes under the hammer

Photo / supplied

A relic from a ship that helped save 174 people from New Zealand's most famous maritime disaster is set to go under the hammer in Auckland.

Early on April 10, 1968, the passenger ferry Wahine got into trouble during one of the worst storms Wellington Harbour had ever seen.

Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand tug 'Tapuhi', loaded with towing and salvage equipment, was scrambled to try and help her.

It was the first vessel to assist the Wahine.

The savage storm blew the Tapuhi, which dated back to the Second World War, out of control three times.

Just as its crew managed to attached a line to the stricken ferry, high seas tore her away.

In the chaos of the storm, the Tapuhi and other boats involved in the rescue are recorded as bringing 174 people, including four children, safely ashore.

Of the 734 passengers and crew on board, 51 people lost their lives that day. Now, the Tapuhi's helm, or steering wheel, is due to go under the hammer at Cordy's Auctioneers.

The ten spoke 183cm wheel weighs more than 40kgs and features a brass banding and hub.

It was removed from the historic vessel before it was removed from service and sunk in Vanuatu in 1990.

Auctioneer Andrew Grigg said the wheel, which features in next Tuesday's auction, is expected to fetch more than $4200.

It is one of a number of "really special" New Zealand historical items, he said.

Other unusual lots include an elephant's tooth, a Fijian chief's whales tooth pendant, a white rabbit, and a stuffed badger.

"We certainly have the weird and wonderful covered," Mr Grigg said.

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