For generations ships of New Zealand Shipping and Federal were among the principal links between Australasia and Britain. The Rangi passenger liners and the immaculately maintained cargo liners, their holds filled with refrigerated produce, were the lifeline with the farthest distant countries of the Commonwealth. This World Ship Society book recounts the history of the Group with its origins and still deep-seated roots in New Zealand. A wide, sweeping narrative and chronology of both companies links the detailed individual ship histories, each illustrated (with only one exception) by at least one photograph in company colours. All types of ships are represented, from the early sailing ships through the passenger liners, refrigerated ships, dry cargo carriers, tankers and coasters. As well as NZS and Federal themselves, there are also chapters on Avenue Shipping, the Black Ball Coal companies, the cadet ships, managed ships and name derivations. The case-bound A4 size book of 196 pages with over 335 illustrations, many previously unpublished, and with three pages in colour.