On 14 January 1937, at the height of a storm, the scow Rangi was wrecked off Rakino Island at the eastern entrance to the Hauraki Gulf. First registered in 1905, the Rangi was carrying timber for its owners, the Leyland O’Brien Timber Company, which had owned the ship since 1919. Four of the crew died: Charlie De Faire, 64, ship’s cook, Captain Peter Petersen, 54, Harold Helgeson, 34, leading hand and William Douglas Robinson, 20. Their bodies were found on the beach at Torbay, all were found by 19 January. Two survived: John Mason, 21 and Donald Woodroffe, 14. Later, at the inquest, the coroner thanked the police and Torbay residents for their efforts in searching for survivors and the deceased.

Wreckage was washed ashore from Browns Bay to Whangaparaoa Peninsula, the stern portion with rudder attached was seen off Torbay, and towed ashore, while the cabin top went ashore at Long Bay – various items were found inside it, including the captain’s watch.

Although efforts were made to salvage the Rangi, she was deregistered, at her owners’ request, dated 2 April, pictured here.

Some of the caption information sourced from PapersPast. Deregistration letter from Ships Registration papers held at Archives New Zealand Auckland Regional Office – BAIR A212/28af

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