A memorial service will be held at Mount Maunganui at 10am on Sunday, December 28, to mark 75 years since the passenger launch Ranui capsized, claiming the lives of 22 people.
The commemoration will take place along the Mauao Base Track, past North Rock, facing Karewa Island, where a plaque marks the wreck site. The vessel’s 63hp diesel engine remains visible among the rocks at low tide.
The Ranui, a 13-metre kauri launch owned by charter operator Jerry Williams, was on its maiden voyage to Tūhua (Mayor Island) when it capsized in heavy seas while attempting to re-enter Tauranga Harbour. There were 23 people on board. Only one survived – 19-year-old deckhand Phillip “Bluey” Smith.
Wreck of the Rānui, Mount Maunganui, December 1950. Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries Photo 98-037
Colleen Killeen, who was 10 years old at the time, lost both her father Ivan Penwarden and her uncle Lloyd Penwarden in the tragedy.
“As a family, we hold a commemoration every year,” Killeen said. “When we go around there and put flowers on the rock, people always ask: ‘What’s going on?’ and so you end up telling them.”
Killeen said she has long believed the site deserves greater recognition.
“I don’t know why there has never been a sign with the names of those who died put up there,” she said.
This year’s 75th commemoration would include a short service led by funeral celebrant Mike Savage, who will also read aloud the names of those lost. Attendees will be invited to sign shells collected from the beach and return them to the water in tribute.
All that remains of the boat is this engine block which washed up on rocks at the foot of Mauao. Photo / Colleen Killeen
Low tide is at 9am on December 28, allowing the Ranui’s engine block to be seen among the rocks before the service begins. If harbour traffic allows, a tugboat is expected to sound its horn at 10am in tribute, as it did during the 50th anniversary commemoration.
“The harbour board said if there’s no ships needing to come in, they’ll send a tug out,” Killeen said.
She remembers the moment her family realised something was wrong on the evening of December 28, 1950.
“It was about six o’clock. A friend had called in to see my dad because we were here on holiday. So, he took Mum, and they went around the Mount, and that’s when all the sirens were going off. Nobody knew what was happening until they asked what was going on.”
A Marine Court later found the disaster was caused by a single exceptionally large wave that struck the Ranui near the harbour entrance. No fault was found with the skipper or owners.
The public is welcome to attend the memorial.