A CROWD of more than 300 people gathered at the King’s Wharf in Suva in June, 1958 to watch the new government yacht Ra Marama berth.
Some liked her while others were not impressed.
Built in Singapore, it took the Ra Marama 31 days to sail a 5883-mile journey.
She carried a crew of two officers and 13 crew members of other ratings.
Ra Marama was 87 feet long and had a displacement of about 92 tonnes.
She was commandeered by Commander Stan Brown, with Lieutenant C A Akins as second-in –command.
Trained in Fiji, all crew members were handpicked from the Fiji Royal Naval volunteer reserve.
The Ra Marama’s speed averaged 9.9 knots for the journey to Fiji.
The Fiji Times of June 4, 1958 quoted a senior shipping stevedore saying: “There’s 66 thousand pounds down the drain. What is wrong with the ships the government has at present.
“We can build beautiful ships like the Adi Maopa and the Vuniwai in the colony. Why the sudden change in policy.”
A relative of one of the new members of the Ra Marama said this as the New Zealand minesweeper Stawell berthed nearby after a trip to Kadavu: “Now why can’t we have a ship built like this?
“All the way to Singapore and all that expense just for a tub like that. Isa our soli! Gee our taxes! Now we know where it all goes.”
On the same day, another story dominated page one of The Fiji Times.
It was the series of preparations for the reception of Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna’s body.
Today, the Ra Marama is operated by Captain Cook Cruises and sails out of Denarau Marina in Nadi.
