TSS Earnslaw was largest steamship built in NZ at 51.2m in length & could carry 1035 passengers & 100 tons of cargo

A coal-fired twin screw steamship, it had 1st & 2nd class saloons, a dining saloon, & quarters for its eleven crew

Named after Mount Earnslaw, it also became affectionately known as "The Lady of the Lake"

Mount Earnslaw is a 2889-metre peak at the head of Lake Wakatipu

As there was no roading in the area, it joined SS Ben Lomond & PS Mountaineer to carry passengers, sheep, cattle & cargo

Govt had bought the 2 steamers & PS Antrim from Lake Wakatipu Shipping Co in 1902 & retired PS Antrim in 1905

The steamers were operated by the NZ Railways & scheduled to meet the Kingston Flyer steam train which began in 1890s

As Kingston Flyer had created influx of tourists, the Govt had seen the TSS Earnslaw as a necessity to join its steamers

In 1932, PS Mountaineer was retired & TSS Earnslaw & SS Ben Lomond continued to operate

They transported passengers & cargo between Kingston, Queenstown, Kinloch & Glenorchy on the Lake's shores

On 4 April 1936, the road opened between Kingston and Frankton and on to Queenstown

The road around the foot of the Remarkables was built by unemployed labour during the Great Depression years

In 1937, NZ Railways buses replaced passenger train services, including the Kingston Flyer, lessening demand on steamers

Passenger trains were also run by NZ Railways during the holiday seasons

By July 1951, the TSS Earnslaw became the Government's only steamer operating on Lake Wakatipu

The Government had retired the SS Ben Lomond in June 1951

In 1968, after 57 years of service, TSS Earnslaw was retired

Image: TSS Earnslaw at the Queenstown wharf, c. 1960s

In 1982 it was purchased by Fiordland Travel Ltd for scenic trips from Queenstown by tourists

Fiordland Travel Ltd was renamed Real Journeys (2002) & RealNZ (2021)

In 1984, the TSS Earnslaw underwent an extensive refit

Changes included: promenade cabin enclosed, bridge stripped & refitted, viewing platform in boiler room added

Since June 1991, Walter Peak High Country Farm operates as tourist attraction in conjunction with the TSS Earnslaw trips

Passengers have included Queen Elizabeth II & Prince Philip (March 1990)

Other Royalty: Dukes of York & Gloucester, King & Queen of Belgium, Prince of Thailand, & Emperor & Empress of Japan

In 1998, the TSS Earnslaw was given 'Category One Heritage' Protection Order by Queenstown Lakes District Council

In Dec 2017, it was recognised as 'Tohu Whenua: landmarks that tell our stories' - in Otago.

TSS Earnslaw also featured in "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" movie (2008) as an Amazon River boat

Parts of the TSS Earnslaw were used for the SS Venture steamship in the movie 'King Kong' (2005)

Whakatipu-wai-Māori, known as Lake Wakatipu, is an in-land glacial lake in the southwest of Otago

The Lake is 75.2 kms long & 5 kms wide at its widest point

It is bordered on all sides by the Southern Alps, the highest mountain of which is Mount Earnslaw (2819 metres)

At 289 sq kms, It is 3rd largest lake in NZ. Largest is Lake Taupō (616 sq kms) & 2d largest is Lake Te Anau (344 sq m)

At north end of the S-shaped Lake are Glenorchy & Kinloch, midway is Queenstown, & at southern end is Kingston

The Dart & Rees Rivers flow into the northern end; & the Kawarau River, beginning near Queenstown, takes the outflow

Area was first settled by Māori. European settlers began arriving in 1860, & started to establish high country farms.

Discovery of gold at Gabriels' Gully in 1861 & Arrowtown in 1862 led to influx of miners & traders into Central Otago

After the goldrush years, high country sheep and cattle stations were further developed

Transport was by water as the only roadway was a wagon road from Queenstown via the Kawarau George to Cromwell & Dunedin

There was no road from Kingston to Queenstown or to Glenorchy at the head of the Lake

In 1860, the whaleboat 'Undine' was purchased by sheep farmer William Rees, to transport wool

After the discovery of gold in the Shotover in 1862, the Undine was also used to transport gold, passengers & supplies

As well as sailing craft, steamers were used, including the Expert, Wakatipu, Victoria, & Moa

Nugget (later renamed Alexandra) was also shipped from Melbourne in 1862, cut in two & carted by bullocks to Kingston

The paddlesteamer PS Antrim was built during 1868 & began operating from 1 Jan 1869 by J.W. Robertson & Co

In March 1868, the hull began to be built on the slipway of the Company's sawmill at Greenstone on the Lake's shore

PS Antrim was built of red beech & totara. It was 82 feet in length, had a large cargo capacity, & a speed of 8 knots

It's wood-burner engine was later replaced by coal-fired boiler (1885) & locomotive type boiler (1894)

As well as herds of sheep, the PS Antrim also transported passengers

The profits from their sawmilling & shipping business enabled the Company to build wharves at Kingston & Queenstown

SS Jane Williams was launched on 10 Feb 1872 at Queenstown by John & sister Mary Williams & Fred Archer

Built by Messrs Sparrow & Thomas in Dunedin, the iron components were carted to Queenstown where it was reconstructed

It was 82.8 feet long with a speed of 9.24 knots, carried 131 passengers, & had a cargo capacity of 25 tons

The Jane Williams began regular daily services up and down Lake Wakatipu, also servicing runholders, settlers & traders

In Aug 1878, the Wakatipu Steam Navigation Co Ltd was formed & built the PS Mountaineer

Built by Kincaid & McQueen in Dunedin, it was transported in parts by rail, & reassembled at Kingston

The PS Mountaineer was launched on 11 Feb 1879

The PS Mountaineer could carry 200 passengers and 30 tons of freight. It was 130 feet long & had a speed of 9 knots.

During early 1902, the Govt began negotiations with steamship builders in England

Then the Govt's Tourist Dept began negotiating with the Wakatipu Steam Shipping Co & purchased its 3 ships for £15,000

The Govt took ownership of the Antrim, Ben Lomond & Mountaineer on 31 Oct 1902

When wagon routes from Dunedin & Invercargill to Kingston were formed, the ships took more people & goods to Queenstown

PS Antrim disembarking passengers at Elfin Bay near northern end of Lake Wakatipu

PS Antrim & SS Ben Lomond at Elfin Bay

PS Antrim was laid up in 1905 & dismantled from 1920

Dismantled parts were used with other ships. Her boiler & engine were used on Earnslaw's slipway.

Sept 1908: Estimates for current year included “a vote of £1000 on account of a new steamer estimated to cost £20,000"

Feb 1909: Following the PS Mountaineer breaking down on a trip, the media called for a new steamer

The Mountaineer was midway between Queenstown & Kingston. The 40 passengers & mail were transferred to the Antrim.

On 5 March 1909, Min. of Railways John Millar met a deputation at Queenstown led by the Mayor to improve ferry services

Millar advised he'll follow-up the purchasing of new steamer with Cabinet & said his preference was for a NZ shipbuilder

On 19 Aug 1909, when Minister of Marine visited Otago Foundry, plans for new paddle wheeler were shown

Naval architect Hugh McCrae had drawn plans for a paddle wheeler that would carry 1000 passengers & travel at 13 knots

Hugh McRae was asked to resubmit a design for a twin-screw vessel

He provided a design modelled on the Otago Harbour ferries Waikana & Waireka built by John McGregor & Co Ltd, of Dunedin

In Nov 1911, the steel parts were numbered & dismantled for sending by train

The parts "will be reassembled thereby, some 50 or 60 workmen..."

Article: (27 Jan 1912): Riveting of hull plates completed & 45 men involved with fitting the shafting & propellers

Following the reassembly of the steel hull, two coal-fired engines were installed & a 36 foot high funnel

Article (2 Feb 1912) describes the progress with the reconstruction of the 'Earnslaw', its dimensions & facilities

Facilities included: first class saloon, a second class saloon with a bar, a dining room, & crew's quarters

TSS Earnslaw was named after 9,249 foot (2,819m) Mount Earnslaw at north end of the Lake in Aspiring National Park

The TSS stands for Twin Screw Steamer

On 24 Feb 1912, the TSS Earnslaw was floated which is regarded as her maiden voyage, although interior not finished

Article stated, " There was no ceremony. The steamer glided into the water without a hitch."

Article (11 July 1912) states the Earnslaw is expected to be completed with a few weeks

It had the capacity to carry 1,035 passengers & cargo of 100 tons (or 1,500 sheep, 200 wool bales or 70 cattle)

Article (6 Aug 1912) reported an unofficial trial run was held where the Earnslaw did 13 knots

Normal speed was 13 knots, 16 knots under forced draught, & 19 knots the maximum

RNZ interview (18 Oct 2012) Jim Sands – grandson of Jimmy Alcorn who was the shipwright & foreman builder on Earnslaw

(8 min 2 secs)

Council’s Chair invited by N.Z. Railways to the trial cruise with paying passengers being held on 18 & 19 Oct 1912

John Millar, who had become the Minister in charge of the Marine Department in Aug 1906, to captain the vessel

On Fri 18 Oct 1912, the TSS Earnslaw made her first official voyage with paying customers from Kingston to Queenstown

That date is celebrated as TSS Earnslaw's anniversary although her maiden voyage on Lake Whakatipu was on 24th Feb 1912

A holiday was declared the next day in Queenstown, so that as many people as possible could travel aboard to Glenorchy

On 21 Oct 1912, the TSS Earnslaw began its regular service on Lake Wakatipu

Dining room was aft of engine room & below main deck, with access down companionway from 1st class saloon

Galley was on main deck under the bridge & hot food in containers was lowered by a dumb waiter to dining room's pantry

The cargo capacity was 100 tons (or 1,500 sheep, or 200 bales of wool, or 70 head of cattle).

Passengers enjoying the view from the deck near the second class saloon

The crew's quarters were located beneath the second class saloon

When PS Mountaineer was retired in 1932, TSS Earnslaw & SS Ben Lomond continued to operate

Mountaineer was sold in 1932 to Walter Peak Station owners & used as a houseboat; then sold to Govt for scrap in 1941

In 1933, Ben Lomond received a new Scotch marine-type boiler built at Hillside Railway Workshops

On 4 April 1936, a road was opened from Kingston and Frankton and on to Queenstown

The road had been built by unemployed labour during the Great Depression of 1930s

The road wound between Lake Wakatipu & The Remarkables mountain range, with spectacular views

The distance from Kingston to Queenstown by road is 45 kms, which attracted motorists

At times, slips on the roads caused disruptions to traffic

Increasing ownership of private cars began to lead to a downturn in rail passenger traffic on many of NZ Railways lines

NZ Railways had started buying bus companies & formed New Zealand Railways Road Services (NZRRS) from 1926

In 1937, NZ Railways introduced a motor bus service to replace its rail passenger services, including the Kingston Flyer

TSS Earnslaw at Kinloch wharf with passengers boarding motor-bus

ca Aug 1947: Loading supplies from TSS Earnslaw onto a truck at Queenstown

14 Dec 1949: Loading bales onto TSS Earnslaw

Aug 1947

Aug 1947

ca Aug 1947

ca Aug 1947

14 Dec 1949

14 Dec 1949

14 Dec 1949

14 Dec 1949

In July 1959, the 36 foot funnel's buff colour was repainted red with black top to cover smoke stains

June 1962: The red on the funnel was changed to light stone, to match new NZR Wellington- Picton ferry 'Aramoana'

Monograms with the letters NZR in yellow on green background were attached to both sides of the funnel

1963: A Cecil Peak Limited bus with tourists on the "Earnslaw"

May 1969: Tourists boarding at Queenstown

May 1969: Cruising on Lake Wakatipu

May 1969: Disembarking from TSS Earnslaw at the Queenstown Walter Peak Station's Woolshed Wharf

Jan 1970: TSS Earnslaw at Kinloch

April 1970: Passengers disembark at Kinloch to travel up the Routeburn Valley by bus

Sept 1970: The TSS Earnslaw at the Queenstown wharf on Lake Wakatipu

Jan 1971: TSS Earnslaw leaving Queenstown Bay

Jan 1971: T S S "Earnslaw" steaming out of Queenstown Bay

Jan 1971: Docking at Walter Peak Station at Walter Peak, Queenstown

Jan 1971: Passengers disembarking at Walter Peak Station

Jan 1971: TSS Earnslaw heading to the wharf at Queenstown Bay

Jan 1971: Tourists arriving back at Queenstown after an afternoon cruise

Jan 1977: Afternoon tea on board

Jan 1977: A queue forming for afternoon tea

Jan 1977: The steam engine was coal-powered

1977: Shovelling of coal to fire the boilers. Bunker capacity was initially 12 tonnes which was extended to 14 tonnes.

April 1981: Stoking the boilers. One tonne of coal is used per hour.

In 1982, the Govt sold TSS Earnslaw to lessee Fiordland Travel Ltd

Passenger cruises for tourists were scheduled by Fiordland Travel

In 1984 it underwent an extensive refit with the sides of the promenade deck surrounded by glass

The enclosed deck was used for the catering of passengers & special cruise parties

The serving of teas ceased in the original dining saloon which was hired out as a souvenir stall

A bar was placed in the former second class saloon

The open bridge had a wheelhouse fitted, to protect the crew from the elements

A viewing platform into the engine room was created on the promenade deck

Engine room skylights were replaced with a balustrade for passengers to view the engines & stokers at work

A safety net was later installed in case passengers dropped items

In mid 1986, TSS Earnslaw was overhauled at the Kelvin Heights slipway near Queenstown

The PS Antrim's former steam engine & boiler are used to haul the Earnslaw up the slipway for its mid-year survey

After PS Antrim was retired in 1905, it was dismantled from 1920 & parts used by other ships

The hull below the waterline was stripped of paint and repainted

Triple expansion engines were overhauled, 65 tubes replaced in twin boilers, & work done to reduce coal smoke emission

New toilets were installed & discharge into another 4,800 litre tank fitted in the original cargo hold

The contents are pumped into Queenstown's sewerage system at the Town Wharf

Back in service. Since June 1991, Walter Peak High Country Farm operates as a tourist attraction with the TSS Earnslaw

Still in service, TSS Earnslaw makes several 90 min cruises on Lake Wakatipu each day to Walter Peak High Country Farm

Also appeared in "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" (2008) as an Amazon River boat

Parts of the TSS Earnslaw were used for the SS Venture steamship in the movie 'King Kong' (2005)

RNZ (19 Oct 2012) TSS Earnslaw celebrated her 100th birthday on 18 Oct

Anniversary is celebrated on her first official voyage with paying passengers (18 Oct) although maiden voyage was 24 Feb

July 2013, Southern Heritage Trust unveiled plaque on Dunedin Railway Station overbridge

The plaque commemorated the location of the McGregor & Co factory where TSS Earnslaw was built

In Dec 2017, it was recognised as 'Tohu Whenua: landmarks that tell our stories' - in Otago