St Helena Interest. A Victorian Silver Plated Entree Dish & Cover for R.M.S. Papanui. Of oval form with beaded detail and an 1899 inscription.
The S.S. Papanui was built in 1898 by William Denny & Brothers of Dumbarton for the New Zealand Shipping Company in Plymouth. Launched on Tuesday 1st November 1898 and completed on the 26 December 1898, this Passenger Cargo Vessel had a gross tonnage of 6372tons, was 430 feet long with a breadth of 54.1 feet and a single screw, triple expansion steam engine.
On 25th August 1911 she departed London to make her return trip to Australia. On board she had 318 emigrants bound for Fremantle and 50 emigrants bound for Melbourne. While on her return journey, it was reported that a coal fire broke out in one of the bunkers of the vessel. For five days after its discovery, on September 5th, the crew attempted to extinguish the fire, but were unable to bring it under control. As luck would have it the vessel had already crossed the Equator and St Helena Island had been passed only the day before. Captain Moore therefore decided to head for the Island. There, with the assistance of the C.S. Britannia all 324 passengers and most of the crew were put ashore, following which the ship was run aground at James’s Bay. On 11th September 1911 the ship was allowed to burn itself out and in a few years what remained of the burned out hulk was scuttled. Today the rudder of the S.S. Papanui can be seen projecting from the sea in James’ Bay. Salvaged in the 1980s the wreck now serves as an artificial reef.
In very good condition with moderate to high surface wear and loss of silver plate, as shown in the photos. Free of dents, creases and repair.
Approximate dimensions are 27.5 cm length, 20 cm width and 12 cm height.
Approximate weight is 1.318 kilos.