TEV Rangatira (1971)

History
Name	Rangatira (1972–1986); Queen M (1986–1990); Carlo R (1990–2001); Alexander the Great (2001–2005);
Namesake	(1972–1986): Māori for; "chief, wellborn, noble"; (2001–2005) Alexander the Great;
Owner	Union Steam Ship Company (U.K.) Ltd, London(1972–1986); Searoyal Ferries (1986–1990); Rodriquez Group/Alimar (1990–2001); Oberon Cruise Line (2001–2005);
Operator	Union Steam Ship Co of NZ (1972–1976); Marlines Ferries (1986–1990); COTUNAV (1990–92); Alimar (1993); Horizon Sea Lines (1994);
Port of registry	London (1972–1986); Limassol (1986–1988); (1988–1989); Valletta (1989–2005);
Route	Wellington – Lyttelton (1972–1976); Tunis – Genoa/Marseille (1990–1993); Ancona – Çeşme (1994);
Ordered	15 May 1969
Builder	Swan Hunter, Wallsend, England
Yard number	33
Laid down	2 April 1970
Launched	23 June 1971
Completed	1971
Maiden voyage	28 March 1972
In service	28 March 1972
Out of service	16 August 1995
Homeport	Wellington (1972–1976)
Identification	IMO number: 7111731
Fate	Scrapped in 2005.
General characteristics
Type	Roll-on/roll-off ferry; (1972–76; 1986–95); accommodation ship (1977–82); barracks ship (1982–83);
Tonnage	9,387.26 GRT; 4,030.69 NRT;
Length	500 ft 4 in (152.50 m) or 500.8 ft (152.63 m)
Beam	72.4 ft (22.08 m)
Draught	17.34 ft (5.284 m)
Decks	six
Ramps	stern only
Propulsion	turbo-electric transmission;; twin screw; bow thrusters;
Speed	18.26 knots (33.82 km/h) average;; 22.25 knots (41.21 km/h) maximum;
Capacity	as built: 768 passengers (later reduced to 733); 200 vehicles
Troops	about 1,200 (1982–83)
Crew	123
Armament	(1982–83):; 4 × Oerlikon 20 mm cannon;
Aviation facilities	(1982–83):; heavy-duty helicopter deck on A-deck;
Notes	twin rudders; fin stabilisers

TEV Rangatira was a roll-on/roll-off vehicle and passenger ferry launched in 1971 for the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand. She was the world's last surviving passenger ship with steam-powered turbo-electric transmission. (Modern turbo-electric ships, including RMS Queen Mary 2 and Millennium-class cruise ships such as Celebrity Millennium, have gas turbines.)

Rangatira had a varied existence, including serving as an accommodation ship and barracks ship between 1977 and 1983. The Union Company sold her in 1986 and she returned to being a ferry. From 1986 onwards, she passed through a succession of owners who renamed her three times and registered her under three different flags of convenience: as Queen M in 1986, Carlo R in 1990 and Alexander the Great in 2001.

After a failed attempt to convert the vessel into a cruise ship she was scrapped in 2005.

History

Name	Rangatira (1972–1986) Queen M (1986–1990) Carlo R (1990–2001) Alexander the Great (2001–2005)
Namesake	(1972–1986): Māori for "chief, wellborn, noble" (2001–2005) Alexander the Great
Owner	Union Steam Ship Company (U.K.) Ltd, London(1972–1986) Searoyal Ferries (1986–1990) Rodriquez Group/Alimar (1990–2001) Oberon Cruise Line (2001–2005)
Operator	Union Steam Ship Co of NZ (1972–1976) Marlines Ferries (1986–1990) COTUNAV (1990–92) Alimar (1993) Horizon Sea Lines (1994)
Port of registry	London (1972–1986) Limassol (1986–1988) (1988–1989) Valletta (1989–2005)
Route	Wellington – Lyttelton (1972–1976) Tunis – Genoa/Marseille (1990–1993) Ancona – Çeşme (1994)
Ordered	15 May 1969
Builder	Swan Hunter, Wallsend, England
Yard number	33
Laid down	2 April 1970
Launched	23 June 1971
Completed	1971
Maiden voyage	28 March 1972
In service	28 March 1972
Out of service	16 August 1995
Homeport	Wellington (1972–1976)
Identification	IMO number: 7111731
Fate	Scrapped in 2005.
General characteristics
Type	Roll-on/roll-off ferry (1972–76; 1986–95) accommodation ship (1977–82) barracks ship (1982–83)
Tonnage	9,387.26 GRT 4,030.69 NRT
Length	500 ft 4 in (152.50 m) or 500.8 ft (152.63 m)
Beam	72.4 ft (22.08 m)
Draught	17.34 ft (5.284 m)
Decks	six
Ramps	stern only
Propulsion	turbo-electric transmission; twin screw; bow thrusters
Speed	18.26 knots (33.82 km/h) average; 22.25 knots (41.21 km/h) maximum
Capacity	as built: 768 passengers (later reduced to 733); 200 vehicles
Troops	about 1,200 (1982–83)
Crew	123
Armament	(1982–83): 4 × Oerlikon 20 mm cannon
Aviation facilities	(1982–83): heavy-duty helicopter deck on A-deck
Notes	twin rudders; fin stabilisers