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An issue from the Island of Niue, is for the opening of the airport, and the 5c. stamp shows the motorship Tofua, of the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand Ltd. The Tofua was built by Wm. Denny and Bros. at Dumbarton, in 1951, for the company's service between Auckland, Suva, Nukualofa, Vavau (Tonga), Niue Islands, Pago Pago, Apia, Suva and Auckland. Her gross tonnage is 5,299 tons, net 3,827 tons, and summer deadweight 3,827 tons. Dimensions: S90 ft. 8 in. x 55 ft. x 21 ft. 6% in. Machinery: twin-screw Sulzer oil engines, giving a service speed of 16'/2 knots. She has accommodation for 73 one-class passengers, is registered at Auckland, and is the second ship of the name, the first being built by Denny in 1908 and broken up in 1934.
Sea Breezes 1/71

Niue SG156

End of Maiden Voyage
Her rigging gaily dressed with flags, the Union Steam Ship Company’s new Islands motor ship TOFUA II completed her maiden voyage from Liverpool to Auckland on Saturday. A squall enveloped her as she rounded North Head - a typical end to a somewhat stormy voyage – but as she went up the harbour to Prince's Wharf the older ships from their berths sounded their sirens in deep--throated welcome.

For three days the TOFUA has been battling into a gale which swept the waves over her well-deck and caused her speed to be cut down to little more than headway at times. The chart of the ship's course also showed how she had stood out into the Atlantic when meeting a storm just after leaving England. However, although only a small ship, with a gross tonnage of 5,300 tons, the TOFUA stood the testing very well, according to her master Capt. N H Pearson. She is a good ship", he said. The passengers, although shaken a little by the weather encountered, generally agreed.

The TOFUA impressed as a neat ship as she came up the harbour, with her green lowerhull and white upper-works, her bridge rising high over a low well-deck designed for easier handling of cargoes in the islands. On board the impression was confirmed. The ship has a large amount of open deck space for her length of 770ft. and 54ft 6in. beam, and her public rooms are spacious and finished in paneled, wood -limed oak in the main foyer and stairway, ash and birds eye maple among other woods in the dining saloon, and darker tones of walnut and toned sycamore in the lounge. The pleasant cabins for the 73 passengers are on two decks...

In addition to her passsengers, the TOFUA brought 3.500 tons of cargo including motor cars from Liverpool. She will leave Auckland on December 21 on her first voyage to the Islands, calling at Suva,Nukualofa, Vavau, Pago Pago, Apia and Suva again on her way back to Auckland, where she is expected January 12.

"New Zealand Herald", Auckland. 10 December 1951.

Important Event
The TOFUA was always welcomed enthusiastically by the natives at ports of callin the Pacific: Islands. The arrival of the ship was an important event in the lives of people whose everyday activities were usually unexciting.
The natives would not only admire the vessel; they travelled on it to visit relatives and friends in neighbouring islands. They slept at night on deck under shelter of tarpaulins and enjoyed their 'cruise' as much as the saloon passengers. Despite being confined to their own area, they regarded the excursion as a most enjoyable occasion - a social event - and the fare was at a figure well within their means.
Although bringing their own food with them, the natives received choice 'leftovers' from the ship's galley. The gifts of tasty things from a galley renowned for the quality of its products and reputation of its cooks were much appreciated. The natives were supplied with water and were granted the use of washing and toilet facilities. Purchases of cigarettes and soft drinks - but not alcoholic beverages, were permitted from the purser.

The number of these carefree tourists who embarked at a port varied from perhaps 30 or 40 to 100 or more. For many of them the trip was merely an overnight passage, but some remained on board and travelled to distant places. They were well-behaved and created a pleasant atmosphere. Group singing - mostly of hymns was a delightful diversion for everybody on board.

The saloon tourists on the ship usually included a number of New Zealand farmers who were taking a holiday of short duration. These robust men were accustomed at home to enjoying substantial dinners after working hard all day were well satisfied with the quality - and quantity - of the meals served to them.

Over the years there have been many instances of passengers expressing their feelings of affection for a ship which appealed to them. Probably the goodwill manifested by those people would be rivalled by the esteem displayed by saloon tourists and natives of the Union Company's popular trader TOFUA.

Twenty-two years of excellent service ended in 1973 when the vessel was withdrawn and sold to the Khymer Shipping Company of Panama. Renamed TACK TAI, it departed from Auckland on 3 August 1973, en route to Hong Kong where it was expected to begin a career for its new owners.

She was resold for further trading to the Philippines the same year. In 1987 she was sold to Communist China. I do not know the names of the companies nor if she was renamed.

Log Book March 1988

Gt:5299, Nt:2802, Dw:3226, L:119,02m. (390.5') B:16,73m. (54.9') D:8,07m. (26.5') Draught:6,55m. (21.5') 2-7 cyl. Sulzer diesels:6800 hp. 2 shafts, 14½kn. pass:73 in 1 class, 200 deck passengers, cargo capacity:1580m³. general cargo and 3063m³. refrigerated, IMO.5362984.
in 1973 sold to Cheung Ming & Co., Hong Kong (registered owner Khymet Shipping Co., Panama) renamed TACK TAI.
She operated in Asia for 2 years but was sold on July 19, 1975 to The Peoples Republic of China to be broken up in Shanghai.

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