Union Steam Ship Co. of NZ Ltd.
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UNION NELSON

IMO 7633600
Owners: Union Steam Ship Co. of NZ Ltd.

GRT: 3,284
Net: 1,971
Dwt: 4,950
Length overall: 96.37
Beam: 16.08
Draught: 6.581

TEU capacity: 218 incl. 18 reefer slots
Cranes: 1 x 40 tonnes, 2 x 22 tonnes
Hatches: 2 (steel) (25.3 x 10.5) (25.3 x 12.7)

Engine: Oil 4SA 8Cy. 330 x 360 sr geared tp screw shaft. 4,000bhp by MWM.
Service speed: 13.5 knots
Port of Registry: Wellington

Union Nelson was introduced to the New Zealand coastal trade in March 1982, replacing Anchor's conventional ship Titoki. Initially she operated Onehunga-New Plymouth-Nelson-Lyttelton-Nelson-New Plymouth-Onehunga on a fortnightly service. After being in service for a few months, the New Plymouth call was dropped and she operated Onehunga-Nelson-Lyttelton-Onehunga on a weekly schedule.
This remained her pattern of trading until she was withdrawn from service in December 1985 and laid up in Wellington.

1980: Built by Dong Mae Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Ulsan, South Korea as Sunny Karina

Oct 1981: Sold to the Union Company.

Jan 1982: Delivered to the company at Marseilles on 15 January and renamed Union Nelson

Mar 1982: Arrived at Wellington 23 March from Melbourne, thence to Nelson where she arrived on 28 March.

Dec 1985: Laid up at Wellington.

July 1986: Renamed Capricornia and placed in a trade to the Pacific Islands under the Tongan flag.

1990: Renamed Polynesian Link under the management of Translink Pacific Shipping Ltd.

Oct 1991: Capsized and sank alongside Kings Wharf at Suva, Fiji on the evening of 12 October.