The Timaru Herald – Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Seas took grim toll of ships, lives
The Port of Timaru went through harrowing times between 1866 and 1886, with 28 wrecks or strandings. The first wreck was in December 1866 when the 35-ton schooner Prince Consort capsized in a heavy sea, but the worst year of all was 1882 when, within just four months, four vessels of considerable size went ashore and nine lives were lost. On January 15, the City of Cashmere, an iron ship of nearly 1000 tons, began drifting. Its cargo was salvaged, but the ship became a total loss, and its bones lay on the beach for many years after. On May 2, the Duke of Sutherland, a wooden barque of 1047 tons, was lying in the roadstead, heavily laden with wheat. Riding in breakers, it bumped the bottom, sprang a leak, and sank.
On Black Sunday, May 14, 1882, the air was still, but rollers were sweeping in. Five ships were in port, including the Benvenue (999 tons) and City of Perth (1189 tons) at the inner anchorage, 800 meters from the breakwater. The Benvenue, with two anchors out, rolled so badly that its cargo shifted and gave it a list, and at about 11 a.m., it signaled that it was drifting. The crew left the ship and rowed to the City of Perth, and the Benvenue struck the rock apron at the cliff and turned broadside on. Almost immediately, the City of Perth began drifting, and four boats, including one from the Benvenue, left the ship and reached the breakwater.
So far, the only casualty was a broken leg and other injuries from which the mate of the City of Perth died later in hospital. A boat manned by sailors from the wrecked Duke of Sutherland and other vessels had rowed out to offer assistance and had returned safely. Before the City of Perth was abandoned, an anchor attached to a rope hawser had been thrown overboard. This temporarily checked its drift, and harbourmaster Captain Alexander Mills decided to make an attempt to salvage it. Three boats set out for the stricken ship, but before anything could be done, it resumed its drift, and the boats made for shore.
Two of the boats were near shelter when the lifeboat capsized, and the others turned back to render assistance. A big sea swamped the rescuing boats, and more than 20 men were left clinging to the craft. The port's lifeboat, Alexandra, was pressed into service after 13 years and picked up all the men, only to be overturned by a breaker. It was righted three times but capsized a further three times. Righted a fourth time, it picked up all the men who could be found and brought them to safety. A surfboat went to the rescue but was unmanageable and anchored after picking up three men. Another crew took the lifeboat out again, but it capsized and returned to shore. A third crew was brought in, and they brought the occupants of the surfboat back to the breakwater, but seven men were missing.
One of those who lost their lives was Mills, who died from exhaustion after being brought to the breakwater. A monument was erected in Sophia Street in memory of those who lost their lives and in tribute to those who took part in the lifesaving endeavors. The last shipwreck to occur within the area was that of the Holmglen on November 24, 1959. The 485-ton vessel foundered 35 kilometers southeast of Timaru, with the loss of 15 officers and crew.
Between 1866 and 1886, the Port of Timaru faced numerous shipwrecks and strandings, with 28 recorded incidents. The most tragic year was 1882 when four significant vessels were wrecked, and nine lives were lost.
- The article details notable wrecks like the City of Cashmere, Duke of Sutherland, Benvenue, and City of Perth.
- Black Sunday on May 14, 1882, saw the tragic wreck of both the Benvenue and the City of Perth. Rescue attempts were marred by difficult conditions, with seven men losing their lives, including the harbourmaster, Captain Alexander Mills.
- The Alexandra lifeboat was pressed into service but faced multiple capsizings.
- The last shipwreck near Timaru was the Holmglen in 1959, which claimed the lives of 15 crew members.
- A memorial was erected on Sophia Street to honor those who perished in the rescue attempts and shipwrecks.
Ships Lost at or Near the Port of Timaru (1866–1886)
- 1866 Dec 20 - Prince Consort, schooner, 35 tons
- 1868 Feb 4 - William Miskin, steamer
- 1868 Jun 13 - Despatch, brigantine, 139 tons
- 1869 May 24 - Collingwood, barque, 457 tons
- 1869 - Susan Jane, barque, 181 tons
- 1870 Jun 8 - Layard, brig, 175 tons
- 1870 Jun 21 - Aurora, schooner, 42 tons
- 1873 Aug 27 - Fairy Queen, brig, 214 tons
- 1873 - Duke of Edinburgh, schooner, 77 tons
- 1873 - Wanderer, ketch, 32 tons
- 1873 Sep 10 - Lady of the Lake, steamer, 66 tons
- 1875 May 9 - Cyrene, barque, 527 tons
- 1875 - Princess Alice, brig, 268 tons
- 1877 Apr 19 - Isabella Ridley, barque, 233 tons
- 1877 Dec 22 - Craig Ellachie, brig, 266 tons
- 1878 Sep 1 - Melrose, barque, 287 tons
- 1878 Sep 1 - Lapwing, brig, 231 tons
- 1878 Sep 1 - Fanny, ketch, 25 tons
- 1878 - Glimpse, ketch, 39 tons
- 1879 Jun 29 - Akbar, brig, 230 tons
- 1879 - Pelican, schooner, 74 tons
- 1879 Nov 21 - John Watson, schooner
- 1881 May 1 - Amaranth, schooner, 51 tons
- 1882 Jan 15 - City of Cashmere, ship, 980 tons
- 1882 May 2 - Duke of Sutherland, ship, 1047 tons
- 1882 May 14 - Benvenue, ship, 991 tons
- 1882 May 14 - City of Perth, ship, 1189 tons
- 1886 Jun 12 - Lyttelton, ship, 1111 tons
Refloated Ships:
- Aurora, Duke of Edinburgh, Lady of the Lake, Lapwing, Glimpse, Pelican, City of Perth.
It is said that many gutter culverts in Timaru are hull-plates from wrecks. - The New Zealand Guide by Edward Stewart Dollimore - 1952
The Timaru roadstead was treacherous winds and reefs. From November 1865 until 1890, it was the graveyard of 28 ships.
1842 Lady Mary Pelham. French Whaler. 2 September 1842. Had been wrecked on Long Beach, Tinaroo, about 90 miles to the southward of Akaroa, all hands perished. It is said that she had a large quantity of oil on board.
1864 Herald Beached 10 miles north of Timaru because of a fire. Principal cargo bottled beer was lost. 16 January 1864, beached ten miles north of Timaru. An iron cask and a coach were thrown overboard, but the principal cargo, bottled beer, was lost.
1866 Prince Consort. Schooner. 35 tons. When lying at anchor at Timaru on 20 Dec. She dragged her anchor and became a wreck. Capsized when her ballast shifted. She was washed over the reef, broke up in the night, and was sold for £73. Three men were on board, and two of them, with the efficient aid rendered by the Alexandra life-boat, were fortunately rescued. Wrecked
1868 William Miskin Steamer 115 tons. Went ashore at Timaru on 4th February. Built at Kingston upon Hull in UK in 1852, went ashore at Timaru on 4th February 1868 when under command of Capt Bain. Just before the fires were put out, a heavy sea swept the deck, washing overboard one of the sailors, a man named John M'Donald. Took tho ground within a few yards of the rocky promontory, on Mr. Belfield's property (Ashbury Park). The ship was thrown onto the beach a few yards from Mr Belfeilds property and twelve hands to got to shore safely. She broke in two when the last man had to leave. Sailor, John McDonald was swept overboard and drowned. Fragments of the ship, iron plates, chests, luggage, tines of kerosine were strewn up the beach. The ship had visted the Timaru roadstead many times, including bringing gold, mined from the Westcoast. The wreck happened when the district experienced gales and floods. It was "smashed to atoms" Wrecked
1868 Despatch Brigantine 139 tons. Went ashore at Timaru on June 13th - Carrying livestock Carried the first white woman to South Canterbury, Mrs William Hornbrook. Drifted ashore in a gale after she arrived from the Chathams.
1869 Collingwood Barque 457 tons. anchored too close in-shore, had loaded 1,225 sacks of wheat. Wrecked in Timaru Harbour on 23rd May when anchors dragged. Wrecked
1869 Susan Jane Barque 181 tons. Wrecked in Timaru Harbour on 23rd May when anchors dragged. Carrying building timbers from Mercury Bay but only landed a little. The remainder littered the beach. Wrecked Carrying timber
1870 Layard. Brigantine 175 tons. Built 1856. Was driven ashore near Timaru when anchor cables parted on June 8th. Wrecked
1870 Aurora Schooner 42 tons. Refloated
1873 Fairy Queen Brigantine 175 tons. Parted her cable and was driven ashore at Timaru on 27th August. Cargo of coal from Australia, struck the beach opposite Strathallan Street. A barrel of pitch was set alight on the rocks above to give direction in rescuing the crew. She was sold on the beach for £135. Wrecked Carrying coal
1873 Wanderer Ketch 32 tons. Wooden Ship built in Nelson 1871. Two were on board at the time. Edward Breton was washed overboard about an hour before she broke adrift. He was picked up and put m the cabin to recover, and came on deck just after she broke adrift.Driven ashore at Timaru by a cyclone. Wrecked at Timaru when her cables parted on 27th August. cargo of 20S bags of wheat. I originally sailed from Greymouth with a cargo of forty-five tons of coal bound to Timaru. The vessel soon afterwards struck against the brig Fairy Queen, which was ashore. No lives were lost, the three hands being saved by the assistance of men on the beach. Wrecked
1873 Lady of the Lake Steamer 66 tons. Sept 1873 sprang a leak after leaving Oamaru, struck a reef when she took shelter in the Timaru roadstead, and hit the beach opposite George Street, where she was abandoned. Refloated
1873 Duke of Endinbrough Schooner 77 tons. Carried 39,956 feet of timber from Auckland for the Temuka bridge. She was sold at auction for £205, refloated from the beach and named the Euphrosyne . Refloated Carrying timber
1875 Cyrene Barque 527 tons. Run ashore at Timaru on 9th May. The property of Mr. C. W. Turner, of Christchurch, coal laden, from Newcastle. Ship and cargo were fully insured. The Cyrene recently arrived from San Francisco with 18,000 sleepers for the Government railway then being constructed to Temuka. Only a portion of which had been discharged. The Ship and cargo were sold to Captain Cain. Every sleeper was saved, and from these alone Captain Cain must have made a good profit. No lives were lost in the accident. Went on the beach half a cable's length south of Strathallan Street, Timaru The Cyrene was broken up for firewood and some of them sank in the boat channel from the Government Landing Service, where they caused inconvenience by fouling the boat lines, and from time to time these pieces were fished for and dragged out of the way. Wrecked railway sleepers
1875 Princess Alice Brigantine 268 tons. Built 1862. Dragged her anchors at Timaru on 9th May. Eight hundred sacks of wheat from Messrs. Cunningham and Co, who had chartered her for Sydney to load with grain. The hull was purchased by the Government Landing Service and broken up to get it out of the way. It was blocking the travel of shingle - the beach on the north side was scoured away, the Strathallan street sewer damaged, and the Landing service hampered in working and threatened with destruction. No lives were lost in the accident. Wrecked
1877 Isabella Ridley Barque 233 tons. Wrecked at Timaru on 19th April after dragging her anchors. There was a heavy sea, but no wind. The captain tried to beat out, but had no wind. He then headed for the beach, flying a signal of distress. A rocket was thrown, and the crew were safely landed. About a thousand persons witnessed the affair, it being a calm, lovely, sunny day. The barque crushed all her lower timbers, and soon went to pieces. No fewer than five other boats were drifted in on the same day, but they were not seriously damaged. Built in 1858 by Scott & Sons Co. and owned by Gibbs & Clayton, on voyage from Newcastle to Timaru with 2000 sacks of grain, was wrecked on rocks in front of the Government landing services, Timaru. All 10 were rescued. Wrecked
1877 Craig Ellachie Brigantine 266 tons. Went ashore Timaru on December 22nd after parting her cables in a gale. Wrecked
1878 Lapwing Brigantine 231 tons. Min. casualty. False keel knocked Refloated
1878 Melrose. Barque 287 tons. One death. Sept 3rd. Laden with coal went ashore at Waimataitai Spit. Captain was washed overboard while attempting to seize a rocket line ; another man was lost Arthur Connolly, rest of the crew saved. Captain Evans, of the Palmerston, was drowned, while attempting to reach the Melrose after the latter vessel struck his vessel. His body was seen floating in front of the Government Landing Service late on Sunday evening Totally wrecked, not a splinter remaining. At the inquiry it was , proved that she was utterly unseaworthy, portions of her beams being "so spongy that you could put your finger clean through." It was only sheer recklessness that induced her owners to send her into an open roadstead like Timaru. The ketch Palmerston, the only one out of the five vessels which were in the roadstead on Sunday morning which is still afloat, Wrecked
1878 Fanny. Ketch 25 tons Fanny grounded near the harbour landing, allowing the combined crews to make it to shore, before drifting off and colliding with rocks. Three other boats were seriously injured. Wrecked
1878 Glimpse Ketch 39 tons. Parted her anchor chain in a fierce swell at Timaru. crew abandoned ship and took to Fanny. The sea lifted the Glimpse high and dry on a shingle bank. She was later able to be repaired and floated.
1879 Akbar Brigantine 230 tons. 5 drowned, struck 1miles beyond Dashing Rocks. Carrying 350 tons of coal.
1879 Pelican Schooner 74 tons. All landed safely. Refloated
1879 John Watson Schooner 209 tons. Struck on the reefs, on Nov. 20, to the southward of the roadstead when crossing the reef off Bloody Jack's Point. Carrying 220 tons of coal. There was a strong N.E. breeze with a sharp sea. Wrecked
1881 Amaranth Schooner 51 tons. Vessel fouled the schooner Circe in a strong gale, and then went ashore. Coal laden, from Greymouth, was wrecked at Timaru. No lives lost. Wrecked
1882 City of Cashmere Iron ship 980 tons. January 12 1882. A small steamer was unable to tow her, and let her go, when she drifted on to the beach and became a total wreck. Officer in charge of deck censured for not letting go second anchor sooner Ninety, Mile Beach. Wrecked
1882 Duke of Sutherland Barque 1,047 tons. Sank on 2nd May while at anchor in Timaru roadstead. Struck the ground, starting the stern post, in an unusually heavy sea. In November, 1890, the wreckage of this vessel was broken up by dynamite into handy pieces for lifting, and the wheat with which she had been laden was found to be in an excellent state of preservation. Wrecked
1882 Ben Venue. Iron ship 999 tons. Sank on 14th May in heavy seas while lying at Timaru roadstead. No lives were lost. Wrecked
1882 City of Perth Iron ship 1,189 tons. Refloated. When the Ben Venue capsized, the crew made for the City of Perth, but she too lost her anchors and ran aground beside the Ben Venue. The crews took to lifeboats. All would have been well had the harbourmaster not headed for the City of Perth. Getting aboard, he realised the hopelessness of the situation, and some of his men launched a lifeboat. When it capsized 40 men were left struggling in mountainous seas. Nine died.
1886 Lyttelton Iron ship 1,111 tons. Built of tons sank on 12th June 1886 at Timaru in fair weather. Wrecked
1892 S.S. Elginshire Steamship 4,579 tons. Grounded on 9th March off Normanby Point south of Timaru in fog. Had 550 tons of meat from Rockhampton, 11,000 mutton carcasses and 300 wool bales shipped at Oamaru.
1958 Kaitoke Refloated
1969 Holmglen 40 km east of Timaru 15 died. Wrecked
1973 Delphis Sinks in the Port of Timaru after being crushed against the wharf by a bulk carrier.
Reference: South Canterbury Museum, rootsweb/wrecks, NZGS file ANZSHIPS and Papers Past
Each wreck or beaching was the subject of an inquiry and from such reports a wealth of information is available concerning the beach, the cargoes, working conditions, landing places and the condition of the ships involved. The cargoes also indicate the increase in the production of wool, meat and grain in South Canterbury. Not all of them are described here in detail, but only those of some special interest.
1843
The first shipwreck was reported from Timaru in the New Zealand Colonist of 2 September 1842 which stated that ‘ The Lady Mary Pelham reports that a French whaler has been wrecked on Long Beach, Timaroo, about 90 miles to the Southward of Akaroa; all hands perished. It is said she had a large quantity of oil on board.’ JNo record of such a wreck can be traced by French Archives, which have a remarkably full list of French whalers in New Zealand waters at that time. It was suggested that this may have been the Gustave, Captain Deglos s whaler, but that vessel, after an absence of two years, returned to Have on 22 July 1843 with a cargo of oil obtained while whaling in Pegasus Bay ‘and the Timaroo Beach’, which implies that after the Wellers left Timaru, whalers still hunted in Caroline Bay. - https://archive.org/stream/gillespie-1958/Gillespie-1958_djvu.txt
By August 1873 a rocket brigade, all volunteers, had saved fifty- one lives. Members of this brigade watched the beach during storms and when ships were in danger. Their life-saving apparatus consisted of two rocket guns which fired lines to ships in distress and so enabled crews to be hauled ashore. This brigade was disbanded when the breakwater was completed. Eight men had also been rescued in the lifeboat Alexandra which was purchased in 1864, but was never a success.
1837
THE LATE WRECK.
TIMARU HERALD, VOLUME VI, ISSUE 170, 16 JANUARY 1867, PAGE 6
[From theTimaru Herald, December 22.]
The unfortunate catastrophe, the wreck of the Prince Consort, which we record today, leads us to enquire into the causes of the accident with a view that precautions should in future be taken to guard against a like disaster.
The main cause which led to the accident was undoubtedly the shift-] ing of the ballast which rendered it quite impossible for the vessel to right, when once, thrown on her beam ends.
She was also imprudently near the shore, but' this of itself r was of small moment, if the ballast had retained its proper position, for with two anchors down, the vessel was perfecdy able to ride out the gale.
We come to this conclusion, on. the ground that some years since, there was a far heavier gale, and tenfold the amount of sea running than on last Thursday, and a small coaster, was lying m the roadstead the whole time and if we remember right, she did not lose a stick, although exposed for something like eighteen hours to the fury of a gale that happily very seldom visits our port.
Since Timaru has been visited by shipping, now some ten or eleven years, this j is the first accident that has occurred, and the like need not occur again if a little precaution was taken m stowing ballast on board small crafts. It has hitherto been the custom to ship for ballast the loose beach shingle which, if stowed, as is often the case, m bulk m the bottom of a vessel, is very likely to shift and thus cause the ship's destruction: and this is as likely to happen on the broad ocean as when lying at anchor. If it is absolutely necessary to carry the shingle ballast, it surely would not he a difficult matter to retain it m its right position, and thus secure a great additional safeguard.
A warning like the present does good m the end, for it will make masters more careful as to the ballasting of their crafts, and may be the means of saving lite and property which otherwise might be sacrificed if the present system has gone on with.
We were glad to observe the expeditious manner the Alexandra lifeboat was taken out of the shed and put off to the rescue of the shipwrecked crew but a little over a quarter of an hour elapsed from the vessel capsizing to the lifeboat being alongside the wreck.
This time, even, would have been shortened by. one third, if the lifeboat could have been launched direct from the shed into the water, but the ground m front of the shed is m such a broken state that it was impossible to take the boat over it. The piling and filling m of the whole fore-shore from the old landing place to the Government shed is urgently required, and.the Government should lose no time m causing it to be done. We must not omit to recognise the hearty efforts made. by a number of volunteers m assisting to get the lifeboat into the water, and also of these few men who stepped forward to man the boat; but although their conduct was most manly and praiseworthy, the chief boatman did right in', refusing their services, and taking with him his own tried crew.
If fact, he could not have acted otherwise, as both himself and crew are specially engaged to man the lifeboat when needed. Last, though not least, we must call attention to. one gallant fellow, Mrßertrand, who sw,am through the surf to the rescue of a fellow-creature.
Such an action deserves special mention, for instances of manly courage are not now-a--days, m this quiet part of the world, of such frequent occurrence as to afford to pass over them unnoticed. A Royal Humane Society's medal has been given for actions of less courage and daring than that displayed by Mr Bertrand. Yesterday afternoon a subscription list was opened m the town for the shipwrecked crew, and m the evening it had amounted to seventy guineas.
An account of the event is here: https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/THD18670116
1866
Oamaru Times December 25th 1866
The schooner Prince Consort, 35 tons, Ritchie, master, was totally wrecked in the Timaru Roadstead on Thursday last, during a severe gale from the north-east. She was ballasted with 16 tons of loose single, which soon caused a "list" to one side, and a heavy broadside sea eventually put her hopelessly on her beam ends. Three men were on board, and two of them, with the efficient aid rendered by the Alexandra life-boat, were fortunately rescued. Mr Bertram of the H.M. Customs, gallantly rescued the third man, who was holding on to a spar amid the kelp. The Prince Consort soon afterwards drifted on to the rocks and became a complete wreck. She was insured in the New Zealand Insurances Offices.
1868
1868 "The William Miskin was anchored about half-a-mile from the shore, was not sent to sea, she could not possibly ride out the gale. At 4 p.m. this became a certainty, as the sea was making a complete breach over her, and. In fact, breaking outside the ship Timaru, riding at anchor fully one aud a quarter miles from the shore.
At midnight on Monday the barometer took a stand at 28.80, and soon after commenced to rise, the thermometer also rising, thereby indicating a change of wind, which, m fact, shortly after become quite wavm. The fears entertained for the steamer William Miskin were, unfortunately, fully verified; for shortly after mtdnight she parted cable, and about 2 a.m took the beach on the north side of LeCren's Gully, and in less than ten minutes became a total wreck.
The question now arises upon whom i;he blame should fall for this melancholy catastrophe. We are supposed lo have a harbour master with a pilot under his command.
Is it not part of their duty to sea to the safety of vessels riding m the roadstead, and, should occasion require it, signal for them to go to sea, or ride in the roadstsad at their own responsibility? l am of opinion the present wreck, which most undoubtedly will more or less damage the favourable impression now existing respecting Timaru, calls for a most searching enquiry."
Otago Witness 15 February 1868, Page 4
The steamer William Miskin, 115 tons. The beach from Whale's Creek to the rocky promontory presented a melancholy scene on the day after the wreck, the entire lenght being strewn with fragments of the broken up vessel - iron plates, cabin furniture, parts of doors, planks, tea, chests, bits of passengers' luggage, tins of kerosene, &c. &c. all in inexticable confusion. Of the Miskin itself nothing remains but the boilers standing upright in the sand, with a small portion of the vessels' bow; everything has been clean washed out of her. Not a vestiage of a deck, or an atom of wood is there - all is completely destroyed. The inquiry was held before the Resident Magistrate and Sub-Collector of Customs, Capt. Scott acting as nautical assessor. Capt. Bain and his crew desire publicly to return their sincere thanks to Mr Belfield for the hospitality shown to them.
WRECK OF THE STEAMER WILLIAM MISKIN.
We regret exceedingly having to record the total wreck of the screw steamer the William Miskiu, Captain Bain, which took place early yesterday morning on the beach about one and a half miles north of Timaru. The William Misfein has only of lato been put on the Timaru and Duuediu trade, being formerly employed on the West Coast, where she hud one or two narrow escapes from wreck having been ashore there on more than one occasion, but was fortunate enough always to escape with but little material damage. Yesterday, though, her usual goodfortune deserted her, for she now lies not only a total wreck, but ovory portion of her hull, spars, and rigging are literally smashed to atoms. The William Miskin made her appearance m the Timaru roadstead early on Sunday morning from Duuedin with passengers and a miscellaneous cargo, from twelve to fifteen tons of goods. The passengers were early that day put ashore, and the steamer lay at her usual anchorage waiting to discharge on Monday. Sunday was a fine, calm day, but the weather towurda evening looked threatening, there being heavy masses of cloud to seaward. On Sunday evening about eight o'clock it commenced to rain with wiud from the south-east. It rained heavily all night, aud early on Monday morning the wiud increased m violence raising a heavy sea. About 10 a.m. on Monday, the Miskin was observed to anchor further to seaward from the berth she had uulil then occupied. She was riding by a single anchor with about sixty fathoms of chain. The wind aud sea still increasing, a second anchor was dropped at about half-past ten o'clock. Between three and four o'clock m the afternoon seas commenced to topple over the vessel, and with every sea something or other was washed off the deck, till at last when she commenced to drag, the eteaxner's deck was almost clean swept — water casks, gangways, oil locker, waterelosets. galley and life-boat having all disappeared} The officer m charge, the first mate, (Captain Bain being on shore) had from 6 p.m. on Monday till 1-30 a.m. the following morniug kept the vessel under a full head of steam head to sea, but at that hour the steam failed, the constant seas pouring over having extinguished the fires. Just before the fires were put out, a heavy sea swept the deck, washing overboard one of the sailors, a man named John McDonald. At that time the crew were busily engaged m baling out water from the engine-room, as the pumps then were found useless. Even if all hands had not been bo engaged, it would have been impossible to have saved the poor fellow, as the sea was far too high to have rendered any effectual aid a Soon after 1.30 the steamer began to drag, and at half-post two o'clock the mate perceived that both cables had parted. On finding the steamer drifting hopelessly, and entirely at the mercy of the waves, the mate ordered the topsail and jib to be set to keep her steady and end on to the land. In an hour and ahalf after the cables had parted, the steamer took the ground within a few yards of the rocky promontory on Mr Belfield's property. Had the unfortunate vessel struck the rocks, a great loss of life must have ensued, as the rocks and cliffs behind them rise perpendicularly and would give but little chance of escape ; as it was however, the Miskiti was thrown almost high and dry on a shelving sandy beach, and all hands, to the number of twelve, without the least difficulty got on dry land. Immediately on striking, the steamer commenced to break up, and she was actually broken m two when the last man to leave, the second steward, jumped from her shattered deck on to terra firma. The men at once made for Mr Belfield's house, which is quite, close to the scene of the catastrophe, where they were hospitably received, and soon after they left for Timaru. We barn that at the time the officer m charge shifted the steamer's position, at 8 o'clock on Monday morning, no danger was then apprehended, as, although the barometer was low and filling, yet the storm glass on board the Miskin gave no indication of the approachingtempest. On this false security the mate rested, for there cannot be a doubt if he had gone to sea, all would have been well,
and we should not now have to deplore the loss of the steamer. At that hour there was nothing to prevent the mate putting to sea, neither wind or sea were sufficiently high to make the attempt at least dangerous, but afterwards, a few hours later it became impossible, and the steamer had to trust entirely to her cables. We hope that an inquiry into the cause of the wreck will be made, for it seems to us that with a little exercise of fore* thought the Bad catastrophe could have been averted. beach from Whale's creek to the rocky promontory above alluded to, presented a melancholy scene yesterday morning, the entire length being strewn with fragments of the broken-up vessel — iron plates, cabin furniture, parts of doors, planks, tea, chests, bits ofpassengers' luggage, tins of kerosine, 6c., dec, all m inextricable confusion. Of the Miskin itself nothing remains but the boilers standing upright m the sand, with a small portion of the Teasel's bows ; everything has been clean washed out of her. Not a vestige of a deck, or an atom of wood work is there — all is completely destroyed. Along the whole length of the beach where the remnants are thrown up, we found dotted here and there dead sheep and other animals. At first it was supposed they formed part of the vessel's cargo, but on enquiry we find they must have been washed down the Pareora or the Opihi riven, accounts of the losses sustained by stock-holders on the banks of those rivers having reached us. The wreck was visited yesterday by many hundreds of people, to whom the sight of » wreck has been, fortunately, hitherto but of very rare occurrence m or near Timaru.
- WRECK OF THE STEAMER WILLIAM MISKIN.TIMARU HERALD, VOLUME VIII, ISSUE 281, 5 FEBRUARY 1868, PAGE 2
That same year Timaru experience a disasterous flood and fire... "In the town the inhabitants were greatly excited by the wreck of the steamer William Miskin, but attention was soon drawn away to the country districts, about which accounts of a most alarming and of course greatly exaggerated nature were circulated. We have compiled as full an account of the effect of the gale and floods m the various district. ... The steamer William Miskin had no tackle to ride out a gale, and ought to have been sent to sea. In the country thousands of sheep have been drowned, houses swept away, crops and fences destroyed, and lives sacrificed. The damage to roads and bridges is very great, and we fear that when accounts reach us from the other country districts, they will only add to the already large number of losses sustained." - FURIOUS GALE.TIMARU HERALD, VOLUME VIII, ISSUE 281, 5 FEBRUARY 1868, PAGE 2
THE LATE GALE.TIMARU HERALD, VOLUME VIII, ISSUE 281, 5 FEBRUARY 1868, PAGE 2
1868 William Miskin wrecked at Caroline Bay. In 1906, it was reported that... The drifting of the Waimataitai beach from north to south of late has brought to light once more some relics of old time wrecks. Among them, now on the surface of the beach, are long-buried fragments of the little steamer William Miskin, wrecked in 1868, and the "dead eye" of the shoud bits of muntz metal of some wrecked sailing ship. There are certain points about the about that ship that need attention before the weather becomes hotter.
- TOWN & COUNTRY.TIMARU HERALD, VOLUME LXXXIX, ISSUE 13118, 29 OCTOBER 1906, PAGE 5
Otago Daily Times 26 June 1868, Page 4
An official enquiry into the wreck of the Despatch was held on Thursday last, before B. Woollcombe, Esq., R.M., and Captain R. Scott, Nautical Assessor. Mr Hart, of the Customs, also watched the enquiry. The following evidence was taken :— Alexander Taylor sworn, deposed: I am a master mariner, late master of the Despatch. The Captain is dead. I believe the vessel was twenty five years old. Ship's papers were all in the wreck. She is a total wreck. John Sullivan: I am a seaman, late acting second mate of the Despatch.. We all made our way to the house of Mr Belfield, who was very kind to us.
Star June 18 1868 - Wreck of the brigantine 'Despatch'
(From the Timaru Herald, June 17)
In our last issue we reported that the Despatch, a brigantine of 98 tons, Captain Driver, called in at this port on Friday morning for hay and water for livestock on board from the Chatham Islands. We were under the impression that the stores wanted were taken on board in the afternoon, and that the brigantine sailed for Dunedin late on Friday night. it would have been fortunate for her if she had, for soon after dark a heavy S.S.E. gale not in, with a high sea. Captain Driver had been on shore during the day, and went on board again between three and four o'clock in the afternoon. Soon after he got on board, finding the sea rising, he ordered the second anchor to be dropped, and made all snug for the night. Up to ten o'clock the vessel was riding very easily, and but an hour she was struck with a heavy sea, which partially filled the hold. All hands were immediately called, and set to work at the pumps. At eleven o'clock, the crew and passengers being all hard at work at the pumps, Captain Driver went into the galley to warm some coffee for them, when a tremendous sea struck the vessel, carrying the galley from its fastenings, and burying Captain Driver beneath. Two or three hands instantly act to work to tear away the debris, when they found their captain quire dead. He had evidently been struck on the head, either by the cooking stove or some of the heavy framework of the gallery, and killed instantaneously. The body was taken into the cabin, and some of the men resumed their work at the pumps. After the galley had gone, continuous heavy seas struck the unfortunate vessel, and she commenced shortly to drag her anchors. She dragged for some hours, and at 3 o'clock on Saturday morning too the beach about the centre of the Washdyke Lagoon, four miles north of Timaru. Soon after the vessel commenced to drag she also lost sight of the light on shore, and those on board could not tell her position.
It seems that Mr Morrison, who is acting as pilot and harbour-master temporarily, went to Captain Driver on Saturday afternoon, at the Royal Hotel, and asked if the mate of the Despatch could take the vessel to sea. Captain Driver at once said he thought not; and Morrison replied, "Then you must go on boar, as you have to leave tonight," Captain Driver jocularly remarked to one of the boatmen when going off to his vessel that he would rather come ashore than to leave without his hay and water. When the vessel was going before the wind, after the death of the captain, some of the crew refused to work, even at the pumps, and the ship was allowed to drift hopelessly ashore, The wind then was such that she could possibly have made one of the bays on the Peninsula.
The crew, eight in number, and two passengers (one of whom was Captain Boys, a brother of Mr Boys employed in the Provincial Government survey) got safely to land, as the vessel was thrown nearly high and dry to the beach. The shipwrecked men at once made for Mr Belfield's house, where they remained till after daylight. After leaving Mr Belfield's house, three of the crew took a boat a Washdyke, and crossed the lagoon to the scene of the wreck. Owing to the sea breaking heavily over it they were unable to search for the body of Captain Driver; but on Sunday they returned and found the body, and conveyed it to the Washdyke Hotel, where an inquest was held on it on Monday. Out of the livestock on board at the tome of the wreck, five of the cattle and one horse were found to have escaped on Saturday, and were at large on the beach, but on Sunday the horse was found dead. The brigantine now lies a complete wreck, bow on to sea, her port-side completely stove in, and the deck, excepting a small portion in the fore part of the vessel, carried away. The beach in the vicinity of the wreck presents a melachololy sight, as for some distance it is strewed with dead cattle and horses, spars and fragments of wreck.Inquest - Timaru Herald, 17 June 1868, Page 2 - Captain Driver
Star June 18 1868
Wreck of the brigantine 'Despatch'(From the Timaru Herald, June 17)
In our last issue we reported that the Despatch, a brigantine of 98 tons, Captain Driver, called in at this port on Friday morning for hay and water for livestock on board from the Chatham Islands. We were under the impression that the stores wanted were taken on board in the afternoon, and that the brigantine sailed for Dunedin late on Friday night. it would have been fortunate for her if she had, for soon after dark a heavy S.S.E. gale not in, with a high sea. Captain Driver had been on shore during the day, and went on board again between three and four o'clock in the afternoon. Soon after he got on board, finding the sea rising, he ordered the second anchor to be dropped, and made all snug for the night. Up to ten o'clock the vessel was riding very easily, and but an hour she was struck with a heavy sea, which partially filled the hold. All hands were immediately called, and set to work at the pumps. At eleven o'clock, the crew and passengers being all hard at work at the pumps, Captain Driver went into the galley to warm some coffee for them, when a tremendous sea struck the vessel, carrying the galley from its fastenings, and burying Captain Driver beneath. Two or three hands instantly act to work to tear away the debris, when they found their captain quire dead. He had evidently been struck on the head, either by the cooking stove or some of the heavy framework of the gallery, and killed instantaneously. The body was taken into the cabin, and some of the men resumed their work at the pumps. After the galley had gone, continuous heavy seas struck the unfortunate vessel, and she commenced shortly to drag her anchors. She dragged for some hours, and at 3 o'clock on Saturday morning too the beach about the centre of the Washdyke Lagoon, four miles north of Timaru. Soon after the vessel commenced to drag she also lost sight of the light on shore, and those on board could not tell her position.
It seems that Mr Morrison, who is acting as pilot and harbour-master temporarily, went to Captain Driver on Saturday afternoon, at the Royal Hotel, and asked if the mate of the Despatch could take the vessel to sea. Captain Driver at once said he thought not; and Morrison replied, "Then you must go on boar, as you have to leave tonight," Captain Driver jocularly remarked to one of the boatmen when going off to his vessel that he would rather come ashore than to leave without his hay and water. When the vessel was going before the wind, after the death of the captain, some of the crew refused to work, even at the pumps, and the ship was allowed to drift hopelessly ashore, The wind then was such that she could possibly have made one of the bays on the Peninsula.
The crew, eight in number, and two passengers (one of whom was Captain Boys, a brother of Mr Boys employed in the Provincial Government survey) got safely to land, as the vessel was thrown nearly high and dry to the beach. The shipwrecked men at once made for Mr Belfield's house, where they remained till after daylight. After leaving Mr Belfield's house, three of the crew took a boat a Washdyke, and crossed the lagoon to the scene of the wreck. Owing to the sea breaking heavily over it they were unable to search for the body of Captain Driver; but on Sunday they returned and found the body, and conveyed it to the Washdyke Hotel, where an inquest was held on it on Monday. Out of the livestock on board at the tome of the wreck, five of the cattle and one horse were found to have escaped on Saturday, and were at large on the beach, but on Sunday the horse was found dead. The brigantine now lies a complete wreck, bow on to sea, her port-side completely stove in, and the deck, excepting a small portion in the fore part of the vessel, carried away. The beach in the vicinity of the wreck presents a melachololy sight, as for some distance it is strewed with dead cattle and horses, spars and fragments of wreck.Inquest - Timaru Herald, 17 June 1868, Page 2
Captain Driver
1869
WRECK OF THE BARQUES COLLINGWOOD AND SUSAN JANE.
TIMARU HERALD, VOLUME X, ISSUE 417, 26 MAY 1869, PAGE 2
LOSS OF ONE LIFE The anniversary of Her Majesty's birthday m 1869 will be .long remembered m Timaru ; as on that day (Monday last) it is our painful duty to record the total losb of two vessels. — the barques Colling wood and Susan Jane, and also the loss of one of the lifeboat's crew m their brave, but unfortunately vain endeavours to go to the assistance of a schooner — the Twilight — which was lying m the roadstead, and had during the whole of the forenoon onMonday been flying a signal of distress. We will proceed to give the history of the several sad occurrences in' the order they occurred.
The Collingwood, barque of 457 tons register, wasbuiltinNewYorkabout 20 years ago, and had been trading m colonial waters for the last six or seven yean — principally between Dunedin and Newcastle. She was owned by Messrs Hutcheson and Co., of Dunedin. The Collingwood arrived m the Timaru roadstead early on Wednesday morning, having taken on board at Lyttelton 1700 bags of wheat, and intended to complete her loading m Timaru with about 25,000 bushels more of wheat, with which she was to proceed to Aucklaud. During Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 1225 bags were shipped on board — making the total cargo on board at the time of the wreck between 10,000 and 11,000 bushels.
During Friday and Saturday there was a nasty sea running, but unaccompanied with any wind, and not sufficient to prevent the shipping of cargo. During Sunday .the sea rose and a very heavy surf tumbled on the beach, but still, strange to say, without any wind. At about six o'clock on Sunday evening the sea was at its highest, and during the evening, when a slight puff of wind came off the land, tlio signal was made from shore by the firing of a roekot to "go to sea." The Susan Jane aud the schooner Twilight attempted to obey the signal, but the wind was so very light that it was found impossible to do so, and anchors were again dropped.
For about two hours before midnight the. sea dropped considerably, but after that hour it again rose to its former strength. Towards morning, between 4 and 5 o'clock it is said that the barque Susan Jane drifted past the bows of the Collingwood, and it is supposed that the latter vossol'e anchor was lifted or tho cable broken by getting fout of the Susan Jane's cublo, for just then the Collingwood fouud herself adrift, and heading rapidly towards tho laud. Tho starboard anchor had parted previously, and now as the port anchor had gone, the bivrque was perfectly helpless, at the mercy of Ihe waves, for there was not a breath of air to enable. the vessel to got out of her imminent danger. Soon after 5 o'clock, she was amidst the iu-shore breakers, aud shortly afterward* took the ground about mid-way along the Waimalaitai lagoon, m Woollcombe's gully.
As soon as she grounded, Mr Mills, the Harbor Muster, was present on the beach with the racket apparatus, and amid firing the first rocket, Mr Mills, we regret- to say, was severely burned about the face and right hand, the rocket going off so suddenly that he had not time to get to a safe distance.
A second rocket was fired under the direction of Capt. Crawford, aud it was well directed, passing right over the vessel. The line having been seized by the men on board, a large rope was quickly passed to the vessel, and preparations made for rescuing the crew. A life buoy, with a species of sack attached underneath wasspeedilyroveon to the rope, and being pulled by a smaller line backwards and forwards from the vessel to the shore, every man on board was soon landed.
The men thus landed were the first and second officers, the crew of ten men, three men who were working their passage, and four men who were taken on board at Timaru for stowing cargo — seventeen souls in all.
The master, Captain Lewis, was ashore at the time of the wreck. The last man to leave the wreck was Mr Green, the first mate.
The Collingwood at this time was resting on an even keel head on to the beach, but between 8 and 9 o'clock she slewed broadside on to the sea, which then having greater power over her, the work of demolition was from that time most rapid. Between 11 and 12 o'clock her masts went one after the the other, and an hour or two later she was completely broken up.
After the disastrous loss of the Collingwood many were the anxious eyes directed towards the Susan Jane, which was Been as daylight dawned on Monday bravely fighting with the breakers, having drifted some considerable distance inshore from the position Bhe was anchored m the previous evening. The Susan Jane, as most of our readers are doubtless aware, belonged to Messrs Cain, LeCren, Turnbull, and others in Timaru, and was brought from New York in the year 1867. Since then she has been chiefly engaged m the coal trade between Timaru'and Newcastle.
On Wednesday last she arrived m the roadstead from Mercury Bay, Auckland, with a cargo of timber. During last week a few boat-loads only of this ' timber were discharged. On Sunday afternoon she was riding easily at her anchors, and did not commence to drag till late m the evening, after -having made an unsuccessful:attempt to put to sea by which she lost good anchorage ground. After midnight on Sunday- and on Monday morning she dragged considerably, and at dawn on Monday she was seen to be well into the entrance of Caroline Bay, with two anchors down, and a large amount of canvas set to ease, off the strain on her cables!
If there had been the slightest land breeze her safety was certain; but, unfortunately, during all Monday there was not sufficient wind even to blow out the, sjgnals. which were passing between the vessel and the authorities on shore at the Government flagstaff. From 'eight o'clock m the morning till past midday the vessel slowly drifted nearer -the ; shore, ianxiously watched by hundreds of spectators who lined the cliffs, At last, when all hope was past of saving the vesael the signal m given to " slip the cables." The barque then rapidly surged towards the land, and eventually took the beach under the cliff nearly opposite to' the house of Mr H. J. LeCren Mr Morrison, late pilot of the port, was on the top of the cliff with the rocket apparatusjjuid threw a well directed line between her fore and main masts. The rope with the lifebuoy was rapidly rigged out, and the work commenced of landing the crew, nine m number, from the sta^de^TesMJ.'^tllgot safely ashore without mishap, , with the. exception of the ship's cook and mate, who both fell into the boiling surf whilst on their, passage from the vessel. Tho cook was saved by Captain Patterson, the master of .the Susan Jane, who, , boldly rushed into the "surf ' and 'seized the'' man, and both were pulled out of the water by the bystanders on shore. ' The cook was, we regret to say, badly injured by the fall.' The mate was also saved. The vessel then was then lying deck on to the sea, and soon began to breakup. Late at night the 'masts went and she was a complete wreck, and the cargo washed out of her lined the beach m all directions.
About the time the Susan Jane was wrecked, with fortunately' all hands' saved, another scene was being transacted on another part of the beack, which' hod a different and a tragical ending. We have said before that the Twilight, sohooner,. had been flying a signal of distress the greater part ' of Monday morning, and not only was the signal flying, but the crew were heard on shore loudly shouting for assistance.
The crew of the lifeboat were, we believe away at the time, on the look out to render assistance to the Susan Jane, and some time elapsed before they could be got together.
Some men had in the meantime forced open the lifeboat, house, and were proceeding to take her on to the beach— a volunteer crew having been got for her — but a gentleman informed Mr Mills, the Harbour Master, (who had charge of the life boat) of this unwarrantable act, and he at once took matters m his own hands, and got together his own tried crew.
Plenty of volunteers were forthcoming to drag the boat on the carriage from the shed to that part of the beach used by the new Lauding Company, where it was proposed to launch her.
The carriage was taken some, little, distance into the surf and after one or two attempts, the boat was fairly let go. Something however went wrong, and the boat instead of sliding down the grove in the carriage got misplaced and stuck hopelessly on the axles, and a heavy sea coming' washed the boat off the carriage and broadside on to the sea, throwing out the crew. She was immediately hauled bow on again by scores of willing volunteers, and an attempt was again made to shove her off, but the effort failed, and a heavy wave washed her up the beaoh broadside on, smashing nearly all the oars.
The men were either washed or thrown out of the boat on each occasion but they soon scrambled into her again. Several times did the volunteers push off the boat, and on each occasion it was thrown back high up on the beach as a mere toy, each time drifting' to' the north and nearer to the reef which separates the two I lauding services. At last the efforts made were successful, and the boat loft the beach amid the choers of the spectators who thronged the beach road und the high ground adjoining.
The moment was one of intense excitment, as the boat was fairly over the reef where the waves were breaking with the 'greatest furv,aud it was then soon that out of her full crew "only six were on board, fciie others having been washed-out and loft on the beach.
The names of the crew when the boat finally quitted the shore were, Mr Mills, (Harbour Muster),' Duncan' CSuneron (coxswain); .A. White, Thomas Baker, G. Newton, and. W. Oxley. When j ust nt the edge of the reef and but a little way from shorej a tremendous : sea struck the boat and capsized her, throwing all the men into the. water. The scene on the beach at this moment was one of the most fearful excitement, as all the men were struggiling under water it as seen 'hat most, if not all, of them had on the cork lifer belts belonging to the lifeboat Alexandra had righted herself in an instant and soon one man was seen to climb into her and hold out his hand to assist another.
Presently five men had again climbed onto the boat, but one was missing, and was not seen again.
It was soon discovered that that man was Duncan Cameron.
When the lifeboat capsized all the oars except one were lost, and with this one oar, and a line;; which was attached to the boat's anchor, the crew managed to bring the boat ashore without being again upset.'
It is generally supposed that Duncan Cameron was rendered insensible by a blow on the head, either from the steer-oar or some part of the_ boat as he was a.most expert swimmer, and could have reached the boat, even without a lifebelt, if by any means he lost it.
We learn that when in the water Cameron caught hold of Newton's leg, and would have drowned Newton had he not shaken himself free.
Cameron was a good sailor, and came to Timaru some yean ago from Turanaki He leaves a wife and four children, and we think we have only to mention this fact to ensure liberal 'assistance' for them from a public ever ready to appreciate. courage; and to help those in distress.
This loss of life is more to be deplored when occasion for such a sacrifice is by many persons called in question. In such a matter we do not wish to judge it is the duty ot the harbour master to decide whether he will or will not answer a sigual of distress, and as Captain Mills was himself in the boat, no one can say that he in any way shirked his duty, althongh at the time he was suffering from the effects of an accident with a rocket in the morning.
What the schooner Twilight wanted, we do not know, as she put to' sea on Monday evening when a light breeze sprung up, but it is generally supposed that she was short of provisions and water.
It is a most significant fact, and one which, amid all this distress, speaks a word in favour of the holding ground in the Timaru roadstead that the schooner Twilight, riding at the outer anchorage for a small craft, scarcely shifted her position and rode out the storm with comparative ease.
Had the other vessels been further out, and never taken up their anchors, all probability, would now be in the roadstead.
We understand that both the Collingwood and Susan Jane were well insured, and the cargoes of both vessel were also insured.
The hull of the Colhngwood was insured by the New Zealand Insurance Companyu ₤2,500 and the grain on board covered by floating policy in the Union Bank. The hull of the Susan Jane was insured for ₤1,500.
Star Monday 24 May 1869
Wreck of the Barque 'Collingwood' at Timaru
The fine barque, commandeered by Captain John Lewis, is a wreck at Timaru. This vessel cleared customs on the 10th inst., with a cargo of 1900 bags wheat, shipped by Messrs Cox and Baber; she sailed for Timaru to complete her loading. The Port Officer received a telegram this morning to the following effect; "Collingwood ashore on the beach; all lives saved by the rocket apparatus. Mills badly burnt by rockets. Susan Jane in great danger of going ashore.
Star 25 May 1869
Timaru May 24, 5.30 p.m.
The barques Collingwood and Susan Jane came ashore to-day. The Twilight is still riding safely in the roadstead. The cause of the wreck of the two barques is thought to be through attempting to put to sea last night, with scarcely any wind, and a heavy sea in shore. The gradually drifted in shore, and the Collingwood was beached about 4 o'clock this morning. The Susan Jane put down anchors when in the breakers, and drifted until two o'clock to-day, when she beached. The life-boat put off to answer a signal of distress from the Twilight. She made several unsuccessful efforts to leave the beach, and at length got away with six men in her. She got near a reef, when heavy breakers upset the boat, all the men being thrown into the water, one man was drowned.Finding of Court of Inquiry
A casualty of the sea. No one to blame.Star May 27, 1869. The schooner Twilight arrived in Lyttelton harbour this morning from Timaru.
Life-Boat Service, Timaru
Subscription lists have been opened in Lyttelton, for the wife and children (4) of Duncan Cameron, late coxswain of the pilot boat at Timaru, who was drowned on Monday, through the capsizing of the life-boat, whilst proceeding to render assistance to the crew of the schooner Twilight. The deceased was will known on the coast, more particularly at Taranaki. Subscriptions will be thankfully received by Captain Gibson, Port Officer; or at the Banks and Custom House.
1870
Timaru Herald, 29 June 1870, Page 5 STRANDING OF THE SCHOONER AURORA
The Aurora, a schooner of 42 tons, Osborne, master, anchored in the roadstead on Thursday, June 15th. On Friday and Saturday she discharged a good portion of her cargo of coals, and was to have sailed for Wellington either on the 20th or 21s with a cargo of grain. On Sunday night, or rather early on Monday morning, a little after two o'clock, the Harbour Master, Captain Mills, observed the schooner had drifted in shore to within a short distance of the breakwater. He immediately summoned Mr Green of the Landing Service, who quickly called his hands together. A whaleboat was then manned, and in charge of the Harbour Master put off to the schooner. On boarding the vessel she was found to be at anchor, and the men on board (Captain Osborne was on shore at the time, but went off in the whaleboat) told Captain Mills that the cable had parted at the schooner's previous berth. There was but little sea on at the time, and why the second anchor was not immediately dropped at the parting, of the first cable is a mystery. The whale boat crew then proceeded to kedge the vessel out to the usual anchorage ground, and after some hours labor she was again safely berthed, riding with a coir hawser and also a small kedge anchor. On Monday the weather was thick, and a nasty sea came tumbling in. At about one o'clock, the signal of distress — the union jack down — was hoisted from the schooner, and the Harbour Master took out the lifeboat to see what was the matter. On arriving within hailing distance he found that the crew desired to abandon the vessel, and preparations were then made to take off the men. Owing to the heavy sea running some difficulty was experienced in getting alongside the schooner, and it was fully twenty minutes before Captain Osborne and his three men were on board the lifeboat, which immediately put off for shore, and arrived safely. Towards evening the sea moderated, and just at dusk a crew consisting of A. White (steersman), John Clarkson, Edward Newton, Isaac Wetherton, William Oxby, Llewellin Jones, and Benjamin Clarkson, put off in a whaleboat from the lee side of the breakwater with the hopes, if possible, of saving the vessel and claiming salvage. It was so dark that it was impossible to see from the beach if the men succeeded in getting fairly alongside the schooner, and it was not till the boat was again approaching the shore that it was seen that two men, John Clarkson and Wetherton, had been left on board. From the boat leaving the share till its return only occupied a few minutes, and the men must have been uncommonly smart in boarding the vessel, pitching as she was in a pretty heavy sea. Some anxiety was naturally felt on shore on account of the two men on board, as it was known that the hawser the schooner was riding at could not be depended on in the event of any very heavy strain being put on it; consequently, men were watching on shore all night, as well as the Harbor Master, who also had been up all the previous night, as he was anxious about the vessel, as it was generally known that the Aurora was not very well found m ground tackle. At ten minutes to three o'clock yesterday morning the hawser parted, and the vessel began to drift in steadily towards shore. On approaching the beach, sail was put on to keep her bow on to the land, and about four o'clock she was stranded on the beach bordering the Waimataitai lagoon, and not far distant from Mr Belfield's house. A very heavy sea was running just then, and the vessel was thrown up high and dry on a sandy beach. The Harbour Master and others were speedily on the spot, but little or no assistance was needed by the men on board the schooner, as they could jump from her on shore without hardly wetting their feet. The Aurora was built in Dunedin about five years ago, as a lighter for Port Chalmers harbour, and was owned by Messrs Guthrie and Asher of Dunedin. She was insured in the New Zealand Insurance Company, but for what amount is not known. A survey was held on the vessel yesterday afternoon by Captains Scott and Crawford, the result of which was that the sale of schooner was recommended. It is probable that the New Zealand Insurance Company will not allow a sale, but take the vessel into their own hands and get her afloat again — which seems quite possible to do at a comparatively trifling expense.
The Star Wednesday June 8 & 9 1870
The brig Layard, Captain Worledge, lying at anchor off Timaru, went ashore this morning between Mr Le Cren's office and the Landing-shed. All nine hands were saved by the rocket apparatus. A very heavy sea was running, and there was no chance of getting her off. The brig arrived from Newcastle on Friday with 250 tons coal, but could not land her cargo on account of the heavy weather. Yesterday afternoon her cable parted, but a second anchor being let go she was brought up. About 5 a.m. today the cable parted again and the brig drifted ashore at 10 a.m. She now lies fifty yards from shore. The vessel has been condemned, and with her cargo was sold at suction for 230 pounds 10s. Both ship and cargo are believed to be well insured by Australian offices. The Layard was owned by Pigott Brothers, Melbourne and was cosigned to Captain Cain.Daily Southern Cross, 18 June 1870, Page 4
The wreck of the brig Layard, Captain Worledge, took place this morning, about 500 yards north of the Government flagstaff. The Layard was a British vessel, built at Poole, Dorsetshire, in the year 1856 or 1857, and owned by Pigott Brothers, of Melbourne Captain Worledge being part owner. She was a vessel of 175 tons. The Layard sailed from Newcastle on the 17th of May, with a cargo of 262 tons of coal, and arrived here on Friday last. Beyond being boarded by the pilot, she had no communication with the shore, as a nasty sea was running the whole of the time, with no wind. On Monday the sea increased in violence, but little apprehension was entertained of the Layard, as she appeared to be riding with perfect ease at her anchors. On Tuesday the sea showed no sign of going down, and it was even higher than the previous day. The brig was then lying in her original berth. At that time she was riding with her port-bower anchor, with about 70 fathoms of cable...The time occupied in landing the nine persons on board was only nine and a-half minutes, showing how well the life-saying apparatus was worked. The crew consisted of Captain Worledge ; D Nicholson, mate; John Samelon, second mate ; Alick Purdy, A.B. ; H. Schaman, A.B. ; John Attwater, A.B. ; Patrick Long, A.B. ; Francis Davenport, cook and steward ; and William Quirk, apprentice. Excepting a chronometer brought on shore by the captain, every thing was left the vessel, and the crew came on land with but the clothes they wore.
The vessel, as she lies on the beach, together with the cargo, was first put up. The bidding commenced at 100 pounds, and the lot was finally knocked down to Captain Cain for 220 pounds. The anchors and chains were also sold to the same purchaser for 10 pounds 10s.
The Inquiry. The official inquiry into the cause of the wreck was held by C. E. Cooper, Esq., Sub-Collector of Customs, Timaru, and Captain Scott, Nautical Assessor, at the Custom-house, yesterday at eleven a m. After evidence had been adduced, the Court returned Captain Worledge his certificate, and remarked that the loss of the brig Layard was purely accidental.
New Zealand in the 1860s – before the Vogel rail boom of the 1870s – was a maritime frontier, a string of largely isolated coastal enclaves linked by sailing ships and steamers. Sea travel was slow, weather-dependent, and often uncomfortable. New Zealand’s rugged coastline, changeable weather, shifting river bars and exposed anchorages claimed numerous ships and lives. This photograph shows the screw steamer William Miskin and the paddle-steamer tug Lioness aground at Hokitika in 1866. Both vessels were later wrecked, the William Misken at Timaru on 4 February 1868 and the Lioness at Greymouth on 1 September 1882. 1868 William Miskin Went ashore at Timaru on 4th February. One drowned and the ship was wrecked.
S.S. Bruce Timaru Harbour 1885 Scott, R. Inquiry Into Wrecks; Report on the Casualty Which Happened to the Steam Vessel Maori. Wgtn: [in] NZ Gazette, 1870. 2pp. 34.5cm. Reports of the accident at Timaru occupy three columns. Excessive risk taken by Capt James Malcolm: two lives were lost "through the boat being allowed to get broadside on to the sea."
1873
Evening Post, 10 September 1873, Page 2
A telegram states the Lady of the Lake sprung a leak off Oamaru, and could not return. She therefore made for Timaru. The crew were baling and pumping all night, and the water got near to the fires. To save her from sinking, she was run on the beach opposite to the South Landing Service. She bumped on the rocks coming in, but it is not known whether or not she is injured.
The brig 'Fairy Queen' & the 'Wanderer' beached
The Star, Thursday, August 28, 1873
Aug, 27. TimaruIt is blowing a heavy south-east gale. The brig Fairy Queen has parted her anchor, and the schooner Duke of Edinburgh has been beached. The crew were saved on a rope. The vessel will probably be got off. The Fairy Queen has parted one anchor, but is holding well. The brig Silver Lining and ketch Wanderer are holding well.
The Star, Thursday, August 28, 1873
Aug, 28. Timaru
After dark last night, the brig Fairy Queen parted her second anchor and came ashore. She struck the rocks and bumped a big hole through her hull. A rocket line was thrown over the vessel, and the crew of nine men were landed quickly. When the last man left the vessel, the mainmast went over the side of the brig. She then slewed off the rocks and was washed up on the beach. The galley fire, or a lamp, capsized and set fire to the vessel, but the waves washing over prevented it from spreading.
After nine o'clock, the ketch Wanderer broke adrift and rapidly headed inshore, and struck full against the Fairy Queen. The ketch's mast went by the board; afterwards she slewed off, and was washed up on the beach to the northward. The crew, of three men, were intimately saved by jumping into the surf.
The wind dropped before eleven o'clock but the sea increased. At midnight, the brig Silver Lining was observed to be drifting shore wards, but a land wind suddenly springing up, took her to sea.
The Duke of Edinburgh's [schooner 77 tons] cargo of timber is being now discharged. Such bad weather has not been known for a long time.[The Duke of Edinburgh, built at Lyttelton, in 1873 carried 39,956 feet of timber from Auckland for the Temuka bridge. She was sold at auction for 205 pounds, refloated from the beach and named the Euphrosyne.] Reference: Gillespie
[The Euphrosyne sailed from Dunedin on March 14th 1875 for Oamaru and was never seen again. Capt. Spence. Crew of six all lost. Reference: NZ Wrecks]
The Late Wrecks at Timaru 10th Sept. 1873
The schooner Duke of Edinburgh was successfully launched on Saturday morning. by means of an anchor and cable run out into the roadstead, the head of the vessel was hauled seaward on Friday at noon, and on Saturday at about 2 a.m., the tide being high and the sea calm, she was floated off into deep water. Although the hour was an unseasonable one, a considerable number of persons assembled to witness the launching. The vessel was towed to a safe anchorage, and placed in charge of the mate of the Silver Lining. On Sunday a new rudder, built by Mr Green's carpenter on the previous day, was fixed in position, the ballast having been previously shifted to the nose of the vessel to facilitate the work. The schooner will sail for Lyttelton as soon as possible, and will either be thoroughly repaired there or at some other suitable harbour. It is said that the purchaser of the vessel has made a lucky speculation - Timaru Herald, Sept. 8.The Star August 30 1873 page 3
(From the Timaru Herald)
Last Wednesday three vessels were driven ashore during a strong-easterly gale, and one of the number totally wrecked. Luckily no lives were lost, the seamen - eighteen in all -being safely rescued, some being saved by the rocket apparatus, others by the assistance of a number of willing hands on shore. The vessels in the road at the time of the catastrophe were four in number - the brigs Silver Lining and Fairy Queen, the three-masted schooner Duke of Edinburgh, and the ketch Wanderer.
The Silver Lining, brig, owned by Mr Murnin of Sydney, 228 tons, Leisher, master, arrived at Timaru on August 14 from Newcastle, having on board a cargo of piles, maize, coals &c., about a third portion of which had been unloaded by Tuesday last. This was the only vessel which escaped out of four.
The Fairy Queen, brig 214 tons, Spence, master, was owned by Messrs Nipper and See, commission agents, Melbourne and Sydney, and was one of the finest vessels of the kind with the exception perhaps of the Prospero, that has ever visited this port. She was an Aberdeen clipper, nearly new, and was well found in every respect. She arrived in the roadstead on August 12 from Newcastle, with a cargo of 345 tons of coal, consigned to Mr Henry Green, the whole of which with the exception of twenty tons had been discharged before Saturday last.
The Duke of Edinburgh, three-masted schooner, 77 tons, Dunn, master, is owned by Messrs Combs and Daldy, of Auckland. The vessel built in 1868, for a steamer, and used as such in the Auckland trade until recently, when she was converted to a sailing vessel, making a smart, tidy-looking craft. She arrived here on Tuesday last from Auckland, with a cargo of 36,956 feet oft of timber for use in the Temuka bridge. Just before anchoring she collided with the brig Silver Lining, and carried away her jibboom.
On Wednesday, the Wanderer, ketch, 29 tons, McLean, master, and owned by the mate Ned Bradley, arrived here on August 21, with a cargo of forty-nine tons of coal. She finished unloading on Monday last, and took in on the same day 203 bags of wheat belonging to Mr H. Green, that being her complement of cargo on board at the time she was wrecked.
The gale commenced during the night, and blew steadily in till Wednesday morning. The sea continued to increase, Wednesday, all four were pitching heavily. About twenty minutes after one, when the gun at the flagstaff, where Capt. Mills, the harbour master, was keeping a sharp look-out, announced something was wrong. The brig Fairy Queen had parted her cable, and was drifting in towards the reefs off Sea View Villa. The signal had the effect of attracting a large number of people to the beach. In addition to the rocket-apparatus being placed in readiness to be conveyed to any place it might be needed, the lifeboat crew were ordered to be ready for action. After the parting of the Fairy Queen's cable another anchor was dropped from the brig. There was about a length between her and the reef.
At 3.15 p.m. , the Duke of Edinburgh, parted and drifted towards shore, passing close to the ketch Wanderer. When about a chain from the shore, at the point where the remains of the old breakwater lay, and where a rocky reef juts out, the schooner's jib's were hauled up, and the vessel steered in a southerly direction, everybody hoped endeavouring to lay up to the wind and stand to sea but the rest of the sailed were seen to be clewed up, and the vessel steered towards the shore, and beached immediately in front of the Government Landing Service shed, where she swung round, her stem pointing towards the south. A rope was thrown on board from the shore. The cradle was then set to work, and five of the seamen were taken off in a very short time. The sea was occasionally making a clean breach over her. A hawser was then got on board the vessel, fastened securely to some piles on shore. Ropes were attached to the masts and attempts were made to cant the vessel towards the shore in order that the breakers might not have such an injurious effect upon her. The attempt was fruitless, as was also the endeavour to haul by means of the Landing Service engine, the stern of the vessel up the beach. Several articles including the chronometer were taken ashore. The injured done to the schooner is not apparently great, the rudder having carried away, and the copper stripped partially off her port side. The tide left her high and dry.
No sooner did darkness set in than both wind and sea spring up stronger than ever. About 7 o'clock the Fairy Queen had broken loose.
A blue light was burned on shore indicating a good position to strike the beach. Unfortunately, she went too far to the northward, and struck on a rocky reef, about four chains above where the Duke of Edinburgh was lying, the sea rushing clean over her. A small fire was immediately lighted, and the apparatus fixed, by which a rope was dropped fairly between the vessel's masts. Just after this a barrel of pitch was procured, and lighted on the rocks a little way up the cliffs. No time was lost getting the cradle to work again, and one by one the seamen (nine in all) were conveyed to shore amid cheers of the crowd, the mate and captain coming last. From the time the vessel broke away till the men were rescued very little over half an hour has elapsed. The crew were only just got off in time, for a few moments after the last had been pulled ashore an enormous roller struck the vessel and caused the mainmast to go by the board, at the same time forging the vessel (which had been lying head on), broadside on to the rocks, the deck canting towards the shore. At about ten minutes to eight o'clock the after part of the vessel's bottom had been stove in. Shortly after this the galley was observed to be on fire.
A cry was raised that there was another vessel ashore, which proved to be the ketch Wanderer. The rocket apparatus was again got ready. The vessel struck mid way between the Duke of Edinburgh and the Fairy Queen, but was immediately driven off again and driven heavily against the brig, her mainmast at the same time going by the board. Suddenly, a heavy breaker tumbled in, and the vessel was carried to the stem of the brig, her bow running on to the beach with the stern to seaward. The seamen, three in number - master, mate, and another - were observed clinging to the bowsprit; a line of men on shore now joined hands, and as each man jumped off he was conveyed ashore, all being very much exhausted. The vessel shortly after this was again carried away northward by a heavy roller, and deposited on the beach about a chain and a half from the Fairy Queen. When the tide had left the shore sufficiently to get on board the ketch's dingy and the clothes of the sailors were fetched ashore.
Fears for the brig Silver Lining were felt, more especially as it was known that the captain's wife and two children were on board. At about eleven o'clock the wind and rain suddenly ceased. Another bluelight was exhibited from the vessel, and this was answered by a gun from the lighthouse. Fortunately, just as she reached the outer breakers a land breeze sprang up and carried her away.
The Fairy Queen continued to burn throughout the night, burning a hole in the deck, a quantity of coal, and a portion of the rigging. Friday morning she was put up to auction by Mr R. Turnbull, and knocked down to Messrs Bradden and Shiers for 135 pounds. A 15 cwt anchor and 60 fathom cable, and a 10 cwt anchor and 30 fathom cable, as they lay bouyed in the harbour, fetched 9 pounds, the purchasers being Messrs Hill, Simpson, and Graham. The captain lost private effects to the value of 40 pounds. Most of the cargo was landed yesterday Duke of Edinburgh.
The Wander shifted four chains further northward with yesterday's morning's tide, and although injured slightly in her after part only about twenty bags of the wheat on her was injured. Later in the day 200 bags of wheat were got out, and sold by auction for 7s 9d per bag, Mr Cliff being the purchaser. The vessel will be sold at auction today.
The Duke of Edinburgh was valued at 1300 pounds, and is insured in the South British Insurance Company for 650 pounds. The Silver Lining is insured in the same office for 1000 pounds. The Fairy Queen is covered by a heavy insurance policy.The Star, Wednesday, September 3 1873 page 3
The Wrecks at Timaru
The dismantling of the brig Fairy Queen was commenced Friday. Captain Gibson and Captain Scott held a survey on the schooner Duke of Edinburgh on Saturday, and drew up a report recommending that she should be abandoned to the underwriters.
The ketch Wanderer, was bought at auction on Friday last by Mr H. Cain for 100 pounds. Preparations for launching her are to be made this morning. It is the intention of her owner to put her in thorough repair, and if this is found impracticable while floating, she will be beached near the Landing and Shipping Company's Service. The lessees of the Government Landing Service have demanded through their solicitor, compensation from the agent of the Duke of Edinburgh by reason of that vessel entirely blocking up the front of the Landing Service premises, and making working the boats impracticable. The brig Silver lining, whose cable was slipped when she left the roadstead during Wednesday night, returned to an anchorage on Saturday last. During the storm on Wednesday Captain Leisher was struck by the wheel, and had his shoulder out out, and one of the sailors received some injuries in the chest. The vessel was not damaged. Her cable and chain were picked up yesterday by a boat's crew from the Government Landing Service. - Timaru Herald, Sept. 1.
Otago Witness Sept. 6 1873 page 15
The hull and parts of the Fairy Queen were sold by auction to day for 144 pounds.Otago Witness Sept. 6 1873 page 15
Fairy Queen and Duke of Edinburgh
September 3
The Duke of Edinburgh has been sold by auction. The hull and rigging fetched 205 pounds, and the sundries 45 pounds. The vessel would have brought more had not the purchaser become liable to the lessees of the Government landing service for damages by blocking up the passage of boats.Oamaru, Aug. 28. 1873
Two coal-laden vessels, just in from Newcastle, were wrecked last night- the Emile, owners, Messrs. Grace and McIntosh, of this port, and the Scotsman, of Newcastle. The former was insured for �1200, and the latter partly insured. All lives saved by the Rocket Brigade, under the direction of Captain Sewell. Both vessels have gone to pieces.Otago Witness Sept. 6 1873 page 15
Oamaru, Aug. 28. 1873
The Emille was insured for 1300pounds. The wreck of the Scotsman was sold this afternoon for 47 pounds 10s, and the cargo for 48 pounds.
1875
The Star May 8th 1875 Oamaru
Heavy Weather - 'Cyrene' & 'Princess Alice' wreckedAll vessels were sent to sea at 4 a.m. The Elderslie fouled the Young Dick and stranded. At Timaru eight vessels had to leave the roadstead this morning at daylight on account of the heavy weather. A barque and a brig are still riding it out, and cannot get to sea with this wind.
The Star May 10th 1875
Wrecks at Oamaru and Timaru
On Saturday afternoon the 3 masted schooner Elderslie went ashore at Oamaru. A total wreck. Yesterday at Timaru, the brig Princess Alice went to the rocks, at 6.30 a.m., and the barque Cyrene, at 10.30. a.m. where they also will be total wrecks. No lives were lost in either case.
The barque Cyrene and brig Princess Alice were owned by Capt. Richard Wood, of Lyttelton, and Mr C.W. Turner, of Christchurch. The Cyrene recently arrived from San Francisco with railway sleepers, only a portion of which had been discharged. The Princess Alice had not quite discharges her cargo of coal from Newcastle, but had already taken onboard some eight hundred sacks of wheat from Messrs. Cunningham and Co., who had chartered her for Sydney to load with grain. By these wrecks the colonial Insurance Companies are large loosers. The Cyrene and Princess Alice were both insured with the New Zealand Insurance Company, the former for 4500 pounds and the latter 2000 pounds. The cargo and freight from America, of the Cyrene were insured with London Lloyds for 5000 pounds, a greater part of which they will have to pay through the wreck of the vessel. The Cyrene went on the beach half a cable's length south of Strathallan Street, Timaru.
Timaru Herald
Monday 10 April 1900 pg4
Wreckage of 1875
One day last week Mr Stumbles rooted up with the Priestman grab from the sea bottom at the T wharf, a heavy piece of wreckage about 10ft square, of heavy timbers, being of pine with wood and iron fastenings, part of the side of a vessel, for there are pieces of chain-plates fast to it. It was a fragment of the barque Cyrene, wrecked on Sunday, May 9th, 1875, in the company in misfortune with the brig Princess Alice. The Princess Alice was an English built brig of 268 tons, she had on board 40 tons of coal, undischarged cargo, and 860 sacks of wheat just shipped. The Cyrene was an American built barque of 527 tons, arrived on April 21st from San Francisco with 18,000 sleepers for the Government railway then being constructed to Temuka. Both vessels belonged to Captain R. Wood and Mr C.W. Turner, of Christchurch. The hulls and the sleepers remaining on the Cyrene were sold at auction to Mr H. Cain, the Princes Alice hull for 50 pounds, the Cyrene's for 275 pounds, and the sleepers remaining for 950 pounds. Every sleeper was saved, and from these alone Captain Cain must have netted a large profit on the transaction. The hull of the Princess Alice was subsequently purchased by the owners of the Government Landing Service and broken up to get it out of the way, as by blocking the travel of shingle- the wreck must have lain just about the root of the breakwater - the beach on the north side was scoured away, the Strathallan street sewer damaged, and the Landing service hampered in working and threatened with destruction. The Cyrene was broken up for firewood and some of them sank in the boat channel from the Government Landing Service, where they caused inconvenience by fouling the boat lines, and from time to time these pieces were fished for and dragged out of the way.Daily Southern Cross, 13 May 1875, Page 2
At Oamaru the 'Elderslie' bilged and canted over, deck to the sea, on the rocks, midway between the landing place and the breakwater. She will be a complete wreck. A telegram from Timaru states that the brigs 'Princess Alice' and 'Cyrene' went ashore on the rocks, where they are likely to become total wrecks. No lives were lost in either case. The colonial insurance companies are heavy losers. The 'Cyrene' and 'Princess Alice ' were both insured with the New Zealand Insurance Company, the former for 4,500 pounds, and the latter for 2,000 pounds, but that company has largely re-insured with other colonial offices. The cargo and freight, from America, of the 'Cyrene' were insured with London Lloyd's for 5,000 pounds.
The; brig ' Princess Alice ' and barque ' Cyrene ' have been wrecked. The latter was on her voyage from San Francisco to Timaru. She is insured in the New Zealand Company's office for about 1,800 pounds. The hull, masts, spars, rigging, boats, ropes, Bails, and all the gear belonging to the wreck of the Elderslie,' were sold in 17 lots for 302 pounds. The Elderslie, 293 tons, was built at Peterhead, Aberdeen in 1868 .
1877
The Star April 20th 1877
Wreck of the 'Isabella Ridley' at Timaru April 19 1877The barque Isabella Ridley came ashore at 3 o'clock, right in front of the Government landing services. She had been dragging her anchors all day, and at last both cables parted. The captain made all sail, and tried to beach her, but had no wind. He then stowed his canvas, and headed for the beach, flying a signal of distress. The rocket crew had been summoned by a gun from the Harbour master's Station, and as soon as the barque beached they threw a rocket through the foresail, setting it on fire for a time. The line held, and the crew of 10 were soon safely landed. The barque crushed her timbers on the rocks, and threatened to capsize when she first struck. She is now standing stiffly and the seas do not seem to be doing her any harm. About two thousand people witnessed the whole affair. It was a lovely, calm, sunny day, with a tremendous sea. The Isabella Ridley arrived here from Newcastle in March 28, and has two thousand sacks of grain on board. The cargo now on board is insured by the South British. The topsail schooner Rosannah Rose has drifted in Caroline Bay, and is in great danger. The French barque Yvonne is in trim for a beat out, and is labouring heavily. The schooner Annie, ketch Young Dick, brigantine Mary King, and the fore-aft schooner Onward are riding well to their cables, though much strained. The sea is increasing, and lulling at intervals, and the wind is dying away altogether.
1879
Timaru Herald, 30 June 1879, Page 2
Sunday seems to be anything but a red letter day as far as Timaru is concerned, no less than four different series of shipping disasters having occurred on that day. The sea rose rapidly, and in half an hour nothing but a sheet of foam was to be seen through the night-glasses. At 1.30 a.m. Captain Mills, who had been watching the lights of the vessels carefully, observed that one was drifting towards the Waimataitai Lagoon. He at once prepared to fire the gun in order to call the Socket Brigade together but he found its muzzle was crammed full of stones and dirt, and it took another half hour to clean it out. The vessel, the Akbar, drifted down until she struck the beach, shortly before five' o'clock, about a mile and a half beyond Dashing Bocks. Directly she touched the beach she began to break up, and in a very few minutes was split open from stem to stern. A lifebuoy was given to Mrs Watts, who stuck to the vessel for some time in company with the boatswain, and when last stern she still had hold of it. The cook, the boatswain, and the boy soon disappeared, while the mate (J. Bynham), the passenger (John Wright), and D. Bardley, R. Humphreys, Charles Dahlim and a Frenchman named James Waglett (able seamen), after being washed up and down the beach for some time, got on dry land. Bradley and Waglett were terribly bruised by floating timbers. The six men who had succeeded in getting ashore, crouched on the shingle, and braved the wild and bitterly cold elements as best they could until day broke, when they made for Mr Belfield's house. There they were most hospitably received, well fed, and supplied with dry clothes, two of them being without a rag or garment on them when they landed. During the whole of the forenoon they were most hospitably entertained by Mr and Mrs Belfield, who spared no pains to make the unfortunate castaways as comfortable as possible.This is the 1905 tons The 'Euphrosyne' steel ship at Port Adelaide. Part of A.D. Edwardes Collection The One of the ships owned by C.S. Caird and Co., Greenock.
Euphrosyne (Ship : 1873-1875) Built by Alex Duthie at Auckland as the "Duke of Edinburgh" in April 1868. Built as a paddle steamer of 86 tons. On 23 January she was re-registered at Auckland, having been converted from a paddle steamer to a three-masted schooner of 77 tons. On 27 August 1873 she was wrecked at Timaru, and sold at auction to H Green. She was refloated, and sailed for Lyttelton. Still in H Green ownership she was repaired, and re-registered under the name "Euphrosyne", at this point strangely registered as having been built by Green at Lyttelton, and allotted a new official number. The on 14 March 1875 the "Euphrosyne" sailed from Dunedin for Oamaru, and was never seen or heard of again; there was no trace found. See "New Zealand shipwrecks" by C W N Ingram.
Timaru Herald Monday June 30 1879
Two Wrecks.The brigantine Akbar was riding almost ahead of the Clan Campbell, parted her anchor first and drifted. Another anchor was let go. The terrible wind and sea forced her towards Washdyke. Her crew: Captain Watts, J. Bynham (the mate), a passenger named John Wright, Ned the boatswain, a boy named James, the cook (the former was one of the men saved from the Melrose in September last year), and Charles Duhlim, D. Bradley, R. Humphreys, and a Frenchman named James Waglett, able seaman. Mrs Watts, the wife of the Captain was on board. They had been married some seven or eight months and were both young in years. The Captain was carried overboard and never seen again. She struck a mile and a half beyond Dashing Rocks. The buoy was given to Mrs Watts. Six men got ashore and made for Mr Belfield's house. The Akbar was an American brigantine, built some six years ago and was the sole property of the Captain. She was not insured. She arrived here on Monday last from Newcastle with a cargo of 350 tons of coal consigned to Mr E. Smith. Three hundred tons of the cargo was still on board. That was fully insured. She grounded fully four miles from the Lighthouse.
The bonnie little topsail schooner Pelican came to grief. Her bowsprit was carried away by the George Noble and she became disabled. Captain Munro finding his cargo shifting, slipped anchors. The Pelican steered directly towards the beach. She is a wooden schooner, of 74 tons, and was built at Manning River, NSW in 1874. She is owned by Mr Henry Aitkens, of Oamaru and carried five hands. All safely landed.Timaru Herald, 1 July 1879, Page 2
The following fuller information regarding the names, &c, of all who were on board the unfortunate vessel when she came ashore has been obtained : � Captain Watts was a man of about 40 years of age, but it is not known whether he was a Scotchman or an American by birth. Mrs Watts' maiden name was Margaret Witlow or Wadlow, she was 28 years of age, and was married about six years ago in Glasgow, her native place. She has a brother holding a high position in one of the banks at Auckland. From the time of her marriage she had been at sea with her husband. Captain Watts was previously to taking charge of the Akbar, at different times captain of two large Glasgow steamships. Three years since he, on the death of a brother, who owned a half of the Akbar, claimed the vessel, and sailed her for Bombay and then came to Australia. He has been running her in the colonial trade. Of the others who have been drowned, Edward Brissen, the boatswain, was a single man and a native of Liverpool, and was about 34 years old ; John Thompson, the cook, leaves a wife and family in Spitalfields, London; James Shea, the boy, was before the mast, was 19 years old and also belonged to Liverpool. The names of those who got safely ashore are J. Bylund, first mate, who has a wife and family at Auckland ; David Bradley, James Ford, Charles Dahlim, and R. Humphreys, able seamen ; and John Wright, passenger. The latter is a relative of Mr Cook, chemist, of Timaru.The Star Wednesday 2nd July 1879
Mrs Watts, wife of the captain of the Akbar, has a brother in one of the Auckland banks. John Thompson, the cook, leaves a wife and family in London.The Star Thursday 3rd July 1879
The Late Captain Watt.
Captain Anthony of the barquentine Annie Bow, states that the late Captain Watt, of the brigantine Akbar, was the son of Captain Watt, of Geelong, Victoria, a retired sea captain. He was also brother of Captain Watt who some five or six years ago sold the Bothwell Castle in Sydney, and brother to the captain Watt who sold the Cheviot to Howard, Smith and Co., Melbourne, two or three years ago.Otago Witness July 5th 1879.
The brigantine Akbar. Captain Watts, his wife Mrs Margaret Watts; the boatswain Edward Brissen; J, Thompson, cook; and James Shea, ship's boy; drowned. Ten captain was the owner. The remaining crew saved are: - Bynham, mate; Wright, passenger; Dalion, Wadlett, Bardley, Humphries, seaman. The body of the sailor McEwen, belonging to the Beautiful Star, who was drowned by the boat capsizing on Saturday, has also been recovered. Mrs Watts has a brother in one of the Auckland banks. John Thompson leaves a wife and family in London.Grey River Argus, 2 July 1879, Page 2
A most disastrous shipping casualty has occurred about 2 a.m. The brigantine Akbar, recently arrived from Newcastle with coal, parted her cables, and commenced drifting towards the shore. Captain John Watts was washed overboard about a mile off the land, and was not seen after. The others held on to the vessel until it was wrecked about 4 a.m., when three sailors (John Thomas, the cook ) (James Shea, ship's boy) and Mrs Margaret Watts, the captain's wife, were drowned in the surf. Five of the crew, and a passenger, came ashore safe. Their condition was pitiable, the vessel having been wrecked some considerable distance from the town, and they had to remain on the beach, most of them in a perfectly nude state, until 7 o'clock, when two of them went to the residence of Herbert Belfield, which is situated near the place. Belfield at once did all in his power to relieve their sufferings, and after having attended to their immediate wants, sent into town for clothes 'for them. Shortly afterwards the Rocket Brigade became aware of the disaster which had taken place, and had them conveyed into town. Three of them were hurt, and had to be taken to the Hospital. At noon the schooner Pelican, of Oamaru, came ashore high and dry, the crew being able to land almost dry on foot. The Akbar is going to pieces, but it is possible the Pelican might be got off.
Inquest - Timaru Herald, 2 & 4 July 1879, Page 2
Edward James Bylund : I was first mate of the brigantine Akbar, (hold's a NZ mate's certificate No. 2420 -wrecked near the Washdyke Lagoon on Sunday morning last. I have seen the bodies now lying here, and identify them as those of Edward Brissen (boatswain), Captain Watts, Margaret Watts (the captain's wife), and John Thompson (cook). I have been at sea for thirty years. I joined the Akbar at Newcastle on May 30th last. She was owned by the deceased captain, and was not insured. We brought a cargo of coals from Newcastle to Timaru. The Akbar was about five or six years old, of 205 tons, and properly fitted out and manned. The boatswain was on board the barque Melrose when she was wrecked here.
Charles Dablin : I was an Able seaman aboard the Akbar. I joined at Newcastle on May 30th.
Richard Humphreys : I was an able seaman on board the Akbar. I have been at sea thirty years, off and on. As far as my experience goes, the vessel's cables were all they ought to be.
This concluded the evidence, and the jury, after a short consultation, returned the following verdict : " That the deceased canto by their deaths by having been accidentally drowned."
1873
1873 The schooner "Duke of Edinburgh" (foreground) and the brig "Fairy Queen" (background) aground at Timaru, after being swept ashore in a southerly gale on 27 August 1873. Photograph taken by William Ferrier of Timaru. - natlib.govt.nz/132912
The Duke of Edinburgh, built at Lyttelton, in 1873 carried 39,956 feet of timber from Auckland for the Temuka bridge. She was sold at auction for 205 pounds, refloated from the beach and named the Euphrosyne.
'Duke of Edinburgh' wooden schooner 76 tons. 'Fairy Queen' on left [Duke of Edinburgh = wooden 3 mast schooner (ex Paddle Steamer) 76 tons, ON52446. 100.0 x 16.5 x 6.5. Built 1868 Alexander Duthie, Auckland as a paddle steamer sold in 1872 to WC Daldy, Auckland and converted into a sailing ship. August 27, 1873 stranded at Timaru NZ and badly damaged. Sold, she was salvaged, repaired and reregistered as Euphrosyne at Lyttelton. On March 14 1875 she sailed from Dunedin bound for Timaru and disappeared] [As Euphrosyne = wooden 3 mast schooner, 75 tons. ON54000, 100.0 x 16.7 x 6.6. Built in 1873 from the Duke of Edinburgh that had been wrecked at Oamaru in August 1873. The wreck was reloated and taken to Lyttelton and rebuilt. When owned by James Grave of Lyttelton and registered at that port she went missing, having sailed from Dunedin Sept. 14, 1875 for Oamaru]
From a volume titled 'New Zealand Owned Wooden and Iron and Steel Sailing Vessels'. This section comprises 'New Zealand Owned Wooden Sailing Vessels'. This image is from the A.D. Edwardes Collection of about 8,000 photographs, mostly of sailing ships from around the world, taken between about 1865 and 1920. Mounted in 91 albums, the photographs are arranged by country of ownership, with some special volumes such as 'Shipping at Port Adelaide' and 'South Australian outports'. Additional information, giving the history of the ships where known, has been provided by maritime historian, Ron Parsons. - https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/PRG+1373/41/6
'Fairy Queen' wooden brigantine 214 tons [wooden 2 mast brigantine, 214 tons. ON45206, 111.4 x 24.5 x 13.4. Built Aberdeen Scotland, 1863. Owners: 1867 Henry Cook, registered London; March 1872 JG Punch of Sydney, registered Melbourne: May 1872 George Nipper. Wrecked at Timaru New Zealand August 27, 1873] From a volume titled 'New Zealand Owned Wooden and Iron and Steel Sailing Vessels'. https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/PRG+1373/41/17
1875
Timaru Herald Friday 12 Nov. 1875 page 2
The Glimpse, ketch rigged, 38 tons register, and coppered, well-known at this port, was wrecked on Monday last off the Peninsula. The Captain's report. On Monday afternoon, we were about twenty miles to the south of Akaroa Heads, when the wind veered round to the south-west, with every appearance of a gale. We ran in towards the Peninsula, but for some time, owing to the mist, we could not distinguish the outline of the coast. The wind increased very much... The squall followed her round and filled the sails so that she went over on her broadside. The Thames, ketch, fortunately, was coming up behind us, and succeeding in getting us off in safety. The ketch is lying on her broadside on a lot of boulders, a little northward of the Maori Kaik; she seems to be grinding away. The timber is consigned to Messrs Jackson and Gibson, of Timaru.
A topsail schooner belonging to Messrs Turnbull and Co., which was wrecked when only one year old in 1875. It is shown in good condition with crew aboard, and a ladder propped against the hull, possibly while stranded on a south coast beach in Wellington before refloating. The sea in the background appears to be open sea, possibly Cook Strait, with a distant steamer on the horizon.
Elibank Castle' (1874 - 1885) - on hard sand in New Zealand Turnbull, Alexander Horsburgh, 1868-1918. She stranded on Ninety Mile Beach (South Island) near the mouth of the Ashburton River 6th June 1875 – there was no loss of life.
We arrived at Timaru on Tuesday, 1st June, after a very tedious passage of southerly gales and calms, and found eleven sailing vessels and two steamers in the roadstead, some of which had been there 25 days, and had not got clear of their inward cargo. I was on shore once, but landed none of my inward cargo. On Friday, the 4th, at 5 p.m., it commenced to blow a hard gale from the southward, but only three vessels went to sea. On Saturday [6th], at 9.30 a.m., it commenced to blow very heavy, when signals went out from the shore for all vessels to put to sea and they all slipped their cables. We slipped at 10.30 a.m., and stood out to sea with the wind at south. At 2 p.m. the wind hauled to the S.E., putting the vessel on a dead lee shore, the wind blowing furiously, with a tremendous high sea at the beam, throwing the vessel on her beam ends several times, and, scarcely able to recover herself again. At 4 p.m. we saw the schooner Success, of Auckland, owned by Mr. Blair, of Wanganui, about two and a-half miles to leeward, and another vessel about the same distance ahead. The first vessel went ashore twelve miles to the south of us, and the other fifteen miles north. At 8 p.m. we saw land on the lee quarter, and no chance of keeping the vessel off the shore. We then made preparations to save life. At 9.15 p.m. we struck heavily on the beach, the sea breaking heavily over us, being low water at the time. We did not wash up till early next morning, when she was left high and dry. The following high water the sea only met round her. She now lies broadside on to the sea, with a small list to seaward, and about 40 yards from a cliff, which I measured, and found to be 46 feet high. The bench is loose, soft shingle. The vessel does not appear to have hurt much. She must have rubbed a considerable amount of copper off her bottom, which cannot be seen, as she is well embedded in the shingle. Sunday, 9 a.m., we all started in various directions over the plain, to try and find a habitation. - https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/231582464?keyword=Timaru&startPos=160
1877
The Star Monday 24 December 1877
Wreck of the 'Craig Ellachie' at Timaru
On Friday night and Saturday morning last it blew quite a violent south-east gale at Timaru, and the roadstead was running unusually high, causing the three vessels lying at anchor to labour very heavily. At six o'clock on Saturday morning the Harbour-master noticed that they were all dragging their anchors more or less, and as the gale blew dead in-shore and was still freshening, serious consequences were looked for. All went well till about 7 o'clock, enormous rollers kept breaking in threatened every minute to swamp them. An unusually sea struck the brig Craig Ellachie, and she parted her cable and drifted helplessly on to the rocks about four chains north of the Government Landing Service. When the harbour-master observed the accident he at once fired the signal gun for the Rocket Brigade to turn out, and they mustered promptly and repaired to the scene of the wreck with their apparatus to get the crew ashore. They were not long getting a line on board and fixing their apparatus, and in a very short time Capt. Meredith, his crew, and Mrs Meredith, were got safely ashore. The vessel is now lying high up on a sort of flat table rock close to the shingle beach, and has sustained no damage whatever, but it is unlikely that she will be got off. She is owned by Messrs. E. and J. Smith, coal merchants, Timaru, who value her at 2500 pounds. The hull is insured in the New Zealand office for 1000 pounds and in the Union for 300 pounds, so the owners are likely to lose about 1200 pounds by the wreck. the vessel has about 100 tons of coal in her out of 340 she brought from Newcastle ten days ago. She has been engaged in the coal trade between Newcastle and Timaru for some time, and has lade some splendid trips. When the tide went down on Saturday afternoon the crew were engaged bringing their clothing and movables ashore, and the vessel was lying almost high and dry. At noon Saturday the gale was still blowing fresh, and the schooner Kate McGregor had dragged her anchor to within two chains of the beach, and it was feared that she would share the fate of the Craig Ellachie. The three-masted schooner Anne Bow was weathering it splendidly, and looked as if she was likely to successfully defy the south-east burster and the unusually heavy sea that it brought with it.
A telegram from Timaru, sent yesterday afternoon says; The Craig Ellachie is still sound, but has shifted her position slightly. The other two vessels weathered the gale splendidly. The weather is calm and brought, and the sea smooth.
1878
West Coast Times, 28 June 1878, Page 2
NOTICE TO MARINERS.
Exhibition of A Fixed White Light at Timaru. Marine Department, Wellington, 17th June, 1878.
It is hereby notified that on and after the 1st day of July next, a harbor light will be exhibited from the Lighthouse which has been erected at Timaru, the position and characteristics of which arc as follow: The Timaru Lighthouse is situated in the town of Timaru, on the east coast of the Middle Island of New Zealand, and bears from Patiti Point N.W. N. distance 1� miles. The tower is 30 feet in height, is built of timber, and painted stone color. The light will be a fifth order fixed white light, and will be risible from N. 20 degrees W. round by W. to S. 20 degrees E. The light is elevated about 85 feet above the sea, and, allowing 15 feet for the height of the observer's eye, will be seen at a distance of about 14J nautical miles in clear weather, and at lesser distance according to the state of the atmosphere. On the same night that this light is exhibited, the red light at present shown at Timaru will be discontinued. J. Ballance. N.B. All bearings are magnetic. This notice affects the following Admiralty Charts, viz : General Chart of New Zealand (No. 1212), and Sheet 9 (No. 2532).
Shipwrecks at Timaru
From the Timaru Herald, September 3rd 1878
& Otago Witness September 7 1878 page 11
On Sunday only two men met their deaths. One was a sailor named Arthur Connolly, or "Peter," belonging to the barque Melrose, and the other Captain Evans of the ketch Palmerston. The former was washed overboard while attempting to seize a rocket line at the time the barque grounded. His body was picked up yesterday afternoon, floating in the surf near the scene of the disaster, and conveyed to the Melville Hotel. Connolly was an Irishman of about 23 years of age, was a single man and had shipped in the Melrose at Newcastle, just prior to her leaving for Timaru. Captain Evans, of the Palmerston, was drowned, while attempting to reach the Melrose after the latter vessel struck his vessel. His body was seen floating in front of the Government Landing Service late on Sunday evening. Two of the Palmerton's crew were picked up by the Melrose and saved. The brigantine Lapwing was found to be uninjured with the exception of the false keel knocked away and portions of her copper stripped. The ketch Glimpse lies high and dry at the entrance of Hikari Creek (next to Whale's Creek), and her hull is whole and sound.
The Melrose was owned partly by Catley of Sydney, partly by Captain Kenney, and partly by other persons. The only insurance on her hull is 350 in the South British Company.
The ketch Fanny, was built at Port Chalmers in 1872, and was owned by Messes Guthrie and Larach's Woodware Factory Company. Her hull was insured in the New Zealand Insurance Company for �500.
The Lapwing, Dunsford, brigantine, 228 tons, was built at Prince Edward Island in 1876, and was brought over to Auckland by her present captain. She is owned by Mr G.W. Owen of Auckland.
The ketch Palmerston, the only one out of the five vessels which were in the roadstead on Sunday morning which is still afloat, was built in Port Chalmers in 1874, and her owners were her late captain (Evans), and Captain Brehner of Port Chalmers.
The Glimpse was built in Whangarei in 1864 and belongs to Mr Fraser of Dunedin and is fully insured.Lapwing, 75471. Brigantine, 231.02 tons. 114.5 x 24.6 x 12.95 ft.;
Built at Murray Harbour, Prince Edward Island, 1876, by Davies and McFadyen.
Registered No.79/1876, (30/xi/76), Port of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. (I.R.)
Registered No. 8/1878, (22/iii/78), Port of Auckland.
Deck - house added in 1879, 243.32 tons.
Alt. In 1885: 243.32//231.90 tons.
Min. Cas.: 1/ix/1878, Std. Timaru, William Anderson.
Min. Cas.: 23/iv/1884, L/1, Tasman Sea, Theodore Thomas Watts.
Vessel condemned and sold by public auction at Monte Video, 3/vi/1886.
Ownerships: Pt.2, pp. 37,39,89,104,110,124,153. From the Watt List.Timaru Herald, 4 September 1878, Page 3
An inquest was held yesterday afternoon at the Melville Hotel, Timaru. before B. Woollcombe, Esq., Conner, and a jury, touching the death, on Sunday last, of a sailor of the late barque Melrose, named Arthur Connolly, alias Arthur Waters. The following jury were sworn . � John Campbell, F. Scott, J. Allpress, M. Mullin, J. Macpherson, Thos. F. Dillion. J. Craigie, J. Cotton, J. Whitttker, C. Dodson, F. Buchanan, A. Bennett, J. Herman, R. S. Cook. Mr Allpress was chosen foreman. The following evidence was taken : James Howie : I was chief mate of the barque Melrose. We were lying at anchor in the roadstead of Timaru on Sunday last. At half-past 11 am. the barque parted her cables, and she was driven ashore by the heavy sea. She struck about 12 o'clock. In half an hour after she struck she became a total wreak, and the deceased was drowned in endeavoring to get ashore. He was on a piece of the wreck. I saw him leaving the wreck, and when I reached shore I found that he was missing. On Monday discovered him in the surf near where we came ashore. I believe the name by which he was entered on the articles of the ship, was Arthur Waters, but he told me his name was Connolly. He was an able seaman, and about 23 years old. He was an Irishman. He was not married. If the cables were twice stronger I think they would not have held her. The vessel was about 20 years old. All the rest of the crew were saved. She left Newcastle. The article of the vessel having been produced, the deceased's name appeared therein, as Arthur Waters, a native of Liverpool. Peter Pender : I am an Inspector of Police, stationed at Timaru. I saw the barque Melrose leave her anchorage last Sunday. The sea was the roughest I ever saw. I went round with the Rocket Brigade to where she grounded. The Rocket Brigade threw a line over, but the men on board did not seen to understand how to work it, and before they had put it in order, the rigging gave way. In less than half an-hour the vessel smashed up like a match-box. The whole of the men were amongst the wreckage'. struggling for their lives. The vessel broke up about 40 or 50 yards from the shore. The Rocket Brigade threw a second line, but it was useless. All the crew were saved except on. Several jurors were desirous to hear evidence as to the seaworthiness of the vessel. Some said that the vessel was rotten, others said that they heard she was condemned as unseaworthy three years ago, but the Coroner held that such an inquiry was not within their province, and that a Court of Inquiry would be held to elicit the information. After some further conversation, the jury returned a verdict to the effect that the decease came by his death by being accidentally drowned.
1879
Timaru Herald 4 December 1879 pg6 Official Inquiry.
Loss of the Schooner John Watson from Timaru Herald Nov. 24.
The three masted schooner struck on the reefs, on Nov. 20, to the southward of the roadstead. She was in the company of the small schooner Saxon. The son of Mr Young, baker, of Arthur street, was on board, having gone off a day or two before for the purpose of fishing and having been unable to return. Captain Storm. On crossing the reef off Bloody Jack's Point, she struck heavily. She lies in 20 fathoms of water, about ten miles from the coast, off Waimate. The John Watson was a three masted schooner of 209 tons, and was owned by Mr George Steele, of Banff, Scotland, at which port she was built in 1875, by Mr John Watson, after whom she was named. She had about 220 tons of coal on board when she was lost, belonging to Mr E. Smith. All rescued by the Saxon.
Robert Storm, late master of the John Watson, stated: I hold a Board of Trade certificate of competency as master, No. 21575 (produced). I arrived in the Timaru roadstead eight or nine days ago, from Newcastle, NSW, with a cargo of coal. I was brought up by the Harbor Master, Alexander Mills, in about four fathoms water, about twenty fathoms north of the Government Landing Service buoy, and anchored with a ten or eleven hundred weight anchor, and thirty fathoms of 11/4 chain cable. On Wednesday afternoon last I found the vessel was drifting towards shore. there was a strong N.E. breeze with a sharp sea.
Timaru Herald, 25 November 1879, Page 2
An official inquiry into the loss of the schooner John Watson will be held at eleven o'clock this morning, at the Custom House. The vessel, "as she now lies, about twenty miles from Timaru," her long boat, anchor and chains, will be offend for sale by Meesrs Jonas, Hart, and Wildie, at two o'clock this afternoon.
North Otago Times, 25 November 1879, Page 2
LOSS OF THE SCHOONER JOHN WATSON. (Timaru Herald, Nov. 24.)
In our issue of Saturday we described the endeavor of the three-masted schooner John Watson to got out to son, and stated that it is believed that she had struck on the reefs to the southward of the roadstead and sustained more or less injury. A large number of people witnessed her departure, in company with the small schooner Saxon, and the report being disseminated that the larger vessel had struck the reef, excited a great deal of anxiety to learn her subsequent fate. In the minds of several of the towns people this anxiety was intensified by the fact that a son of Mr Young, baker, of Arthur street, was on board, having gone off a day or two before for the purpose of fishing, and baring been unable to return. The latest news received of the vessel on Friday night was that in response to her signals of distress the Saxon had borne down to her, and that the two wore standing away to the south in company..... The fact that the John Watson had hoisted distress signals left no room for doubt that she had struck the reef and was making water, and throughout the night and next morning inquiries for farther news of her were consequently numerous and earnest. Contrary to the opinion of those watching on shore, Captain Storm says that though his vessel did touch the reef off Patiti Point, it was the merest graze, that could not have been observed from shore, and could only have been observed on board by a sailor. On crossing the reef off Bloody Jack's Point, however, she struck very heavily, being lot down on the rocks with the falling sea. She had a good way on at the time, and rising immediately on another wave, went clear, an without even losing steerage way. She struck apparently from the mizenmast forward, and as the water first showed in the forefoot, it is believed the greater damage was done near the head. The well was sounded as soon as possible, and seven inches of water found in it. The pumps were at once set to work, and the Saxon signalled to lie by for an hour till it should be seen whether the water could be kept under.,....
The John Watson was a three-masted schooner of 209 tons, and was owned by Mr Jorge Steolo, of Banff, Scotland, at which port she was built in 1875, by Mr John Watson, after whom she was named. She had about 220 tons of coal on board when lost, belonging to Mr E. Smith.
1881
North Otago Times, 4 November 1881, Page 2
The masters of several vessels which have lately arrived at Timaru have told us that they were misled by the bright light at the railway station, St. Andrews. In one instance a vessel was within an ace of going ashore, owing to the resemblance of the light to that erected in the lighthouse, Timaru. The proper place for the lighthouse is Patiti Point, which overlooks the roofs.
The Brisbane Courier Wednesday 4 May 1881
The schooner Arawatie, coal laden, from Greymouth, was wrecked at Timaru. The crew were all saved.
May 4 Timaru Herald 1881
Wreck of the Amaranth. Colin Campbell master of the schooner Amaranth, of Dunedin, belonging to Guthrie and Larnach. Capt. holds a master's certificate.
The Star Wednesday 4 May 1881 page 2
Loss of the Amaranth at Timaru.
Otago Witness Saturday June 18 1881 page 14
Wreck of the brig Pakeha on Ninety Mile Beach, on Saturday morning, 6.3-. a.m. about two miles from the mouth of Lake Ellesmere, bound for Dunedin from Kaipara with a cargo of timber, cosigned to the owner of the vessel, Mr Finlay, timber merchant, of Dunedin. Only one man being rescued from a watery grave. Captain Brewer, left Kaipara on Wednesday, 1st June. Captain Brewer put the vessel before the wind, his intention to seek shelter under Banks Peninsula. Out of the eight hands on board, seven have met with fate which befalls so many of those who "go down to the sea in ships." The only survivor - Christian Petersen, seaman -when he was washed overboard, managed to get hold of a floating spar, to which he clung until it drifted ashore. He was only one of the crew who could not swim. A fisherman found him lying on the beach. The place where the Pakeha came ashore is the same exactly as that where, some two years and four months ago the schooner Clyde was beached during a heavy gale. The Pakeha is a total wreck.
Pakeha, 46849. Brig, 173.4 tons. 91 x 22.8 x 11.7 ft.;
Built at New Glasgow, Prince Edward Island, in 1863, by Robert Orr.
Registered No. 84/1863, Port of New Glasgow, Prince Edward Island. (I.R.)
Registered No. 23/1864, (9/vi/64), Port of Auckland.
Registered No. 35/1870, Port of Sydney, N.S.W.
Vessel totally wrecked off Lake Ellesmere, N.Z., on 11/vi/1881. Master: Daniel Brewer (drowned).
Ownerships: Pt.2, pp. 61,62,86,96,157. From the Watt list.
1882
The Star May 3 1882
Loss of a Grain Ship 'Duke of 'Sutherland' in Timaru Harbour
"A few minutes before seven o'clock Captain Rowlands' felt his vessel quiver very severely. A few minutes later she came down on the ground with a crash."
A good deal of excitement was caused in Timaru to-night by the barque Duke of Sutherland making distress signals in the roadstead. Shortly after seven o'clock a gun was fired on board, and, after waiting about half an hour, two rockets were fired from the vessel, and blue lights were burned on deck as signals of distress. It was at first imagined that the vessel must have parted her moorings, but as she still remained at her anchorage such an idea was abandoned. The Rocket Brigade answered the signals by firing a gun from the lighthouse, and an attempt was made to launch the lifeboat, but the order was countermanded, as the sea was comparatively smooth. The captain and his crew came ashore in the ship's boat about nine o'clock, and reported that the vessel had sprung a leak and was filling with water, there being then fully six feet of water in her hold. The vessel is grain laden, and she had nearly completed her loading, and was expected to sail for London to-morrow with a full cargo.
The Duke of Sutherland, a clipper, is a strongly built wooden vessel of 1047 tons register, built at Aberdeen in 1865, owned by Jacobs Brothers and Co., of London and was surveyed in 1877 and reclassed for eight years. Captain Rowland is her master. For many years past she had been running in the Australian trade. The captain says the vessel was labouring in the trough of a heavy sea, and she bumped on the bottom. She is said to be drawing 20 feet of water, with about eight to ten feet of water under, the depth at low tide being about 30 feet. The statement about bumping could not be credited on shore, as the vessel is anchored out about 400 yards from the extreme seaward point of the breakwater, and there are several large vessels anchored close to her. There is a heavy ground swell in the roadstead, but the sea is not rough, as instanced by the fact that several whaleboats have been rowed out to the vessel during the evening. It is far more likely that, being an old wooden vessel and heavily laden, she sprang some timbers by labouring in the trough of the sea. The captain, accompanied by the Harbour Master, has now returned to the ship, and it is said that she is a hopeless wreck, and likely to go down at her anchors before mooring, but until the Harbour Master comes on shore no real authentic information can be gained. The sailors have taken their traps ashore, and say the vessel is doomed.Later. The vessel is a hopeless wreck. She has not altogether sunk, being built of wood, and an attempt is now being made to drift her to the northward out of the way of the other vessel, but it is doubtful whether it will be successful. She has about 1000 tons of grain in her, 10, 550 sacks of wheat, shipped by the New Zealand Grain Agency and Mercantile Company. The vessel and cargo are fully insured by Adelaide offices.
The Star May 4 1882
May 3. Captain Rowland's and the Harbour Master proceeded on board again about eleven o'clock last night, and succeeded, with a number of men, in keeping her afloat till four o'clock this morning, when she was hauled clear of the other vessels, and the cable slipped, and she was carried down towards Caroline Bay, where she broke up this afternoon. A court of Inquiry will be held tomorrow afternoon.
The barque, Duke of Sutherland, was allowed to drift a few hundred yards to the north, and about noon to-day she canted over on her side, and all her deck fittings where washed away. She disappeared altogether tonight. The hull and cargo are advertised for sale tomorrow, but it strikes me the auctioneer will have to work largely on his imagination in deciding where the vessel actually is.
City of Cashmere. Timaru - Brodie Collection, La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria.- vic.gov.au/permalink/f/1cl35st/SLV_ROSETTAIE64399
The iron ship 'City of Cashmere', 980 tons, wrecked on the coast of New Zealand. [iron ship, 990 tons. ON45957. 212.0 x 31.5 x 21.5. Built 1863 (3). A. Stephens and Son, Glasgow, George Smith and Sons, registered Glasgow. Wrecked at Timaru New Zealand, January 14, 1882.] The caption gives the wrong year for the wreck. One of the ships owned by The City Line / John Smith and Son, Glasgow. - https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/PRG+1373/14/4
The ship 'City of Cashmere' wrecked at Timaru 1882, Reference Number: PAColl-2197-15, Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand
Landing terrace for Timaru Shipping Company, Timaru - natlib.govt.nz/512388
Annie Bow, Timaru. 1879? A broadside view of a small steam and sailing ship. By Arthur Lagden Haylock (1860-1948).
Born in Akaroa. In 1877 he entered Government Service and was posted to the Land Office at Timaru. His interest in ships and the sea led him to join the Timaru Rocket Brigade, a group of volunteers which watched over vessels anchored in the roadstead. Involved in the attempts to save the 'City of Perth' and the 'Ben Venue' in May 1882. Transferred to Christchurch and then Wellington. After retirement active in the Anglican Church Men's Society and maintained his interest in compiling records of maritime events. He was only child of Charles Lagden Haylock's second marriage. Had 4 half brothers from a former marriage; Peter, Charles, George and Harry. (Source: Back PA3-0354 & PA3-0358). See also `A Tribute to my pioneer ancestors' by Greta M Haylock, 1974. He also designed the bravery Benvenue medals.
1882
The Star May 3 1882
Loss of a Grain Ship 'Duke of 'Sutherland' in Timaru Harbour"A few minutes before seven o'clock Captain Rowlands' felt his vessel quiver very severely. A few minutes later she came down on the ground with a crash."
A good deal of excitement was caused in Timaru to-night by the barque Duke of Sutherland making distress signals in the roadstead. Shortly after seven o'clock a gun was fired on board, and, after waiting about half an hour, two rockets were fired from the vessel, and blue lights were burned on deck as signals of distress. It was at first imagined that the vessel must have parted her moorings, but as she still remained at her anchorage such an idea was abandoned. The Rocket Brigade answered the signals by firing a gun from the lighthouse, and an attempt was made to launch the lifeboat, but the order was countermanded, as the sea was comparatively smooth. The captain and his crew came ashore in the ship's boat about nine o'clock, and reported that the vessel had sprung a leak and was filling with water, there being then fully six feet of water in her hold. The vessel is grain laden, and she had nearly completed her loading, and was expected to sail for London to-morrow with a full cargo.
The Duke of Sutherland, a clipper, is a strongly built wooden vessel of 1047 tons register, built at Aberdeen in 1865, owned by Jacobs Brothers and Co., of London and was surveyed in 1877 and reclassed for eight years. Captain Rowland is her master. For many years past she had been running in the Australian trade. The captain says the vessel was labouring in the trough of a heavy sea, and she bumped on the bottom. She is said to be drawing 20 feet of water, with about eight to ten feet of water under, the depth at low tide being about 30 feet. The statement about bumping could not be credited on shore, as the vessel is anchored out about 400 yards from the extreme seaward point of the breakwater, and there are several large vessels anchored close to her. There is a heavy ground swell in the roadstead, but the sea is not rough, as instanced by the fact that several whaleboats have been rowed out to the vessel during the evening. It is far more likely that, being an old wooden vessel and heavily laden, she sprang some timbers by labouring in the trough of the sea. The captain, accompanied by the Harbour Master, has now returned to the ship, and it is said that she is a hopeless wreck, and likely to go down at her anchors before mooring, but until the Harbour Master comes on shore no real authentic information can be gained. The sailors have taken their traps ashore, and say the vessel is doomed.
Later. The vessel is a hopeless wreck. She has not altogether sunk, being built of wood, and an attempt is now being made to drift her to the northward out of the way of the other vessel, but it is doubtful whether it will be successful. She has about 1000 tons of grain in her, 10, 550 sacks of wheat, shipped by the New Zealand Grain Agency and Mercantile Company. The vessel and cargo are fully insured by Adelaide offices.
The Star May 4 1882
May 3. Captain Rowland's and the Harbour Master proceeded on board again about eleven o'clock last night, and succeeded, with a number of men, in keeping her afloat till four o'clock this morning, when she was hauled clear of the other vessels, and the cable slipped, and she was carried down towards Caroline Bay, where she broke up this afternoon. A court of Inquiry will be held tomorrow afternoon.The barque, Duke of Sutherland, was allowed to drift a few hundred yards to the north, and about noon to-day she canted over on her side, and all her deck fittings where washed away. She disappeared altogether tonight. The hull and cargo are advertised for sale tomorrow, but it strikes me the auctioneer will have to work largely on his imagination in deciding where the vessel actually is.
Section of the Wreck of the Ben Venue and City of Perth 14 May 1882 - Arthur Bradley - Prime Port
After the storm (Timaru Beach 1882, showing the wreck of the ships Benvenue and City of Perth, 1883). John Gibb 1883. Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, bequest of Mr Thomas Peacock Esq, 1922
Author Dave Wilson Date 24 Jan 1978 Approximate location of where the Ben Venue and City of Perth ran aground. PublisherThe Timaru Herald Place of Publication Timaru Subject Shipwrecks Disasters Information File Shipwrecks - https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/3651
City of Perth was refloated, repaired and renamed"TURAKINA." HOMEWARD BOUND. [picture] : 1247 tons. Built at Glasgow. 1868. Ex City of Perth [between 1885 and 1946]. ELIDA ex TURAKINA ex CITY OF PERTH [picture]. (1910).. (1910). Brodie Collection, La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria.
The 'Lyttelton' wrecked at Timaru. The iron ship 'Lyttelton', 1111 tons, wrecked at Timaru [iron ship rigged, 1180 gross, 1111 net tons. ON78620. 223.8 x 35.0 x 21.0. Built 1878 (3) R Duncan and Co., Port Glasgow. Owners: Albion Shipping Co., registered Glasgow. Totally wrecked at Timaru, New Zealand, when leaving for England June 12, 1886. Built for and usually employed in the England-New Zealand passenger and cargo trade. oai:collections.slsa.sa.gov.au:(AuASA)b21287363, PRG 1373/30/1
1885
Timaru Herald December 4 1885 page 2
Nautical Enquiry - The stranding of the barque Hudson on the Ninety Mile Beach near Milford Haven, Temuka was held at Lyttelton today, (Dec. 3) before Mr J. Ollivier, R.M., and Captains D. McIntyre and R. Owen, Nautical Assessors. Mr Rose, Collector of Customs conducted the case, with Mr J.C. Martin as counsel, and Mr H.N. Nalder appearing for the captain and the owners of the vessel. Captain Thomas considered he was about 23 miles off land. He arrived at that estimate by two logs, one patent, and the other the old fashioned log. It was hazy and this increased to thick fog. At 2 o'clock the boatswain reported "land." The second officer tried to stay the vessel but the wind was too light. He hove the lead and found five fathoms under the ship's stern, and a shingle and sand bottom. There was a bit of a swell beginning then, which set the ship in. They were already getting the anchor ready to let go when she grounded forward. He was afraid to let the anchor go then, for fear it might go through her bottom. He commenced to get out the boats and ran a stream anchor out astern, took it to the capstan, and tried to heave her off. We commenced to jettison the powder (about 12 tons) and he went ashore and telegraphed to Lyttelton for assistance. At 12 o'clock the Titan, tug, came. About 12 noon Mrs Thomas, wife of the captain was landed safely. He asked Captain Webster to run a hawser and anchor out for him, but the latter said he could not do as he had no coals, and would have to go back to Timaru for them. In the meantime they were jettisoning cargo and landing some in their boats. In the afternoon the Titan came back about 4 or 5 p.m. It was high water at 5 p.m. On Friday morning the tug Lyttelton arrived from Lyttelton. She made fast and commenced to tow her about 30 or 40 feet off the beach when the tow rope parted. In the meantime the s.s. Herald arrived. Had the Titan returned when she promised the barque would have been got off easily. The Titan arrived with three surface boats but when they wanted the Titan's rope it was found to be broken and partially disabled. The ship finally coming off the beach about 7 p.m. and they proceeded in tow of the tug Lyttelton to Lyttelton. He slipped the bower anchor. They all agreed in the opinion that Captain J. Thomas had not been negligent. At the Harbor Board meeting today 20 bonus was voted to the captain and 30 to the crew of the tug Lyttelton on recognition of special services rendered by them in connection with towing the Hudson off the beach. [The Hudson is an iron barque, of 794 tons net register, and was built in 1869 by M. Pearse & Co., at Stockton. She is now owned by the Shaw, Savill & Albion Company. Her length is 194ft, width 30 feet, and depth 19 feet]
Dec. 4 Timaru Herald. The p.s. Titan steamed for Port Chalmers early yesterday afternoon to go into dock for her periodical overhaul.
Timaru Herald, 27 November 1885, Page 3
Early yesterday morning a large barque was observed to be very near the beach some twelve miles to the north of Timaru. On Wednesday evening she made the Timaru town lights, but could not see the light from the light house. At 10 p.m. he stood out to sea, and about midnight tacked towards the shore again. After a while she was again headed seaward. The wind then fell calm, and a dense fog set in. Sounding, were taken, and every effort was made to keep her off the land, but the swell and the current gradually forced her nearer the Ninety Mile Beach, which she struck about 3 o'clock in the morning. Two boats were, at once lowered, but as the sea was so calm nothing was done till later on in the morning when the captain went on shore. After walking some distance he was picked up by a little daughter of Mr Woodhead's and driven to Temuka, from when he communicated with his agents. About noon Mrs Thomas, the wife of the master was landed, and shortly after 2 p.m. the crew began to jettison the cargo, throwing overboard a quantity of gunpowder, cases of spirits, etc., the greater part, of which was soon, picked up and stacked on the beach. The Rocket Brigade, in the meantime, ran a line on shore, and to the other side of the lagoon, to assist in getting the cargo on shore. Captain Edwin J. Thomas told us he intended to send all his crew-ashore for the night. The Titan went down again about 7 p.m., and the Hudson was then all right. The Rocket Brigade returned to town shortly after 8 p.m., after a long and wearisome journey. The Hudson is apparently lying on a soft bottom, and should bad weather not set in there is a probability of her being towed off this morning in by the tugs Lyttelton, Herald and Titan which will be on the scene at an early hour. Her cargo consists of about 1600 tons of general merchandise, including a quantity of plant for the Timaru Woollen Factory Company, Limited. To the actual cause of the Hudson coming to grief, it would not be fair for us to express an opinion at present, but the captain puts it down to a heavy current and the dense fog, the set of the former of which is not properly, understood. We understand Captain Thomas has an interest in the vessel, and has sailed her for six years. The Hudson is an iron barque of 737 tons register, Aal at Lloyd. Her length is 194 ft, beam 30ft, and depth of hold 19ft. She was built at Stockton by Messrs M. Pearse and Co. in 1869. She belongs to the Shaw, Saville and Albion Company's fleet, and left London on August 15th, consigned to Mr John Inglis. There are also a locomotive consigned to the Government and a quantity of powder. The Hudson was sighted on Wednesday sight, off Timaru by the steamers Pelham and Ohau, bound for Lyttelton. The steamer Herald was also dispatched this evening with men to discharge the cargo so as to lighten the vessel.
1890-08-02 - The S.S. Duke of Sutherland - 1882 Duke of Sutherland Sank on 2nd May while at anchor in Timaru roadstead. Wrecked. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/110284/rec/48
The Duke of Sutherland, which is the latest addition to the fleet of the New Zealand Shipping Company engaged in the carriage of frozen meat to Europe, arrived in the port of Auckland on July 9th, under the command of Captain Bell, having left London on the 3rd of April with a cargo of steel railing for Cape Town. Though a recent acquisition, she is not a new vessel, having been built now some seventeen years by Duncan and Co., at Port Glasgow, for the service of the Eastern Steamship Company. She is a fourmasted vessel, fore and aft rigged on main, mizzen, and jigger-mast, with top-sail yards on the fore. Her dimension are 300 ft. x 38 x 28i in depth ; her horse-power 400, and her tonnage 2,031 net or 3,116 gross. After staying a day in Auckland and partially loading, she proceeded to Napier and the Southern ports to complete her cargo. Then at Napier a large accession to this will be made from the station of Messrs Nelson Bros, in Hawke’s Bay (see illustration on page 3), whose depot for frozen meat at Cannon-street Railway Bridge, is one of the notable features on these lines in London. The process followed there is in this wise. The carcases, after the animals have been killed and dressed, are hooked to friction pulleys travelling overhead, and are run into the cooling room, the skins, fat, etc., being removed in a tramway elsewhere. The cooling-room is constructed with a double ceiling, through which a current of air is drawn by a fan driven by a donkey-engine. After hanging here for ten hours, so as gradually to remove all the animal heat, the carcasses are passed into the refrigerating chambers, which are fitted with sliding air-tight doors. These chambers hold from 200 to 400 carcasses, and the sheep remain in them for thirtysix hours. They are then removed into the storing-rooms, and each being sewn in a cotton bag, and duly labelled are now reaily for shipment, as thown in illustiation on page 3. The refrigerating and storage chambers have the walls, floors, and ceilings insulated with a charcoal lining, and the cold air is supplied through an inlet air trunk diiect fiom the engine, and afterwards passes back to be cooled down and used over again. By this means there is a constant circulation of cold air. • One thousand sheep can lie prepared per day, and there is storage accomodation for 26,000 carcasses. The storage chambers open directly on to the railway siding (having air-tight doors at each end), where the frozen carcasses are put into specially-constructed trucks, which convey the meat to the port of shipment. There it is consigned to the steamers and sailing-ships which convey the meat to England, and which are fitted with similar machinery and chambers.
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/new-zealand-graphic/1890/08/02
The Star May 3 1882
Loss of a Grain Ship 'Duke of 'Sutherland' in Timaru Harbour
"A few minutes before seven o'clock Captain Rowlands' felt his vessel quiver very severely. A few minutes later she came down on the ground with a crash."
A good deal of excitement was caused in Timaru to-night by the barque Duke of Sutherland making distress signals in the roadstead. Shortly after seven o'clock a gun was fired on board, and, after waiting about half an hour, two rockets were fired from the vessel, and blue lights were burned on deck as signals of distress. It was at first imagined that the vessel must have parted her moorings, but as she still remained at her anchorage such an idea was abandoned. The Rocket Brigade answered the signals by firing a gun from the lighthouse, and an attempt was made to launch the lifeboat, but the order was countermanded, as the sea was comparatively smooth. The captain and his crew came ashore in the ship's boat about nine o'clock, and reported that the vessel had sprung a leak and was filling with water, there being then fully six feet of water in her hold. The vessel is grain laden, and she had nearly completed her loading, and was expected to sail for London to-morrow with a full cargo.
The Duke of Sutherland, a clipper, is a strongly built wooden vessel of 1047 tons register, built at Aberdeen in 1865, owned by Jacobs Brothers and Co., of London and was surveyed in 1877 and reclassed for eight years. Captain Rowland is her master. For many years past she had been running in the Australian trade. The captain says the vessel was labouring in the trough of a heavy sea, and she bumped on the bottom. She is said to be drawing 20 feet of water, with about eight to ten feet of water under, the depth at low tide being about 30 feet. The statement about bumping could not be credited on shore, as the vessel is anchored out about 400 yards from the extreme seaward point of the breakwater, and there are several large vessels anchored close to her. There is a heavy ground swell in the roadstead, but the sea is not rough, as instanced by the fact that several whaleboats have been rowed out to the vessel during the evening. It is far more likely that, being an old wooden vessel and heavily laden, she sprang some timbers by labouring in the trough of the sea. The captain, accompanied by the Harbour Master, has now returned to the ship, and it is said that she is a hopeless wreck, and likely to go down at her anchors before mooring, but until the Harbour Master comes on shore no real authentic information can be gained. The sailors have taken their traps ashore, and say the vessel is doomed.
Later.
The vessel is a hopeless wreck. She has not altogether sunk, being built of wood, and an attempt is now being made to drift her to the northward out of the way of the other vessel, but it is doubtful whether it will be successful. She has about 1000 tons of grain in her, 10, 550 sacks of wheat, shipped by the New Zealand Grain Agency and Mercantile Company. The vessel and cargo are fully insured by Adelaide offices.
The Star May 4 1882
May 3. Captain Rowland's and the Harbour Master proceeded on board again about eleven o'clock last night, and succeeded, with a number of men, in keeping her afloat till four o'clock this morning, when she was hauled clear of the other vessels, and the cable slipped, and she was carried down towards Caroline Bay, where she broke up this afternoon. A court of Inquiry will be held tomorrow afternoon.
The barque, Duke of Sutherland, was allowed to drift a few hundred yards to the north, and about noon to-day she canted over on her side, and all her deck fittings where washed away. She disappeared altogether tonight. The hull and cargo are advertised for sale tomorrow, but it strikes me the auctioneer will have to work largely on his imagination in deciding where the vessel actually is.
WRECK OF THE BRIG CRAIGELLACHIE.
Last Saturday morning about 7 o'clock the brig Craig Ellachie came ashore on the rocky beach, a short distance to the north of the Government Lauding Service, and there appears to be no possibility of saving her I from becoming a total wreck. She was riding m Bafety at anchor m the roadstead, until about 5.15 o'clock that morning, when she paited one of her cables, und commenced to drift towards the shore. As quick as possible the second anchor was dropped, and that held her for about three-quarters of an hour ; but the chain eventually parted, and she was consequently rendered quite helpless, and her journey towards the shore was rapid. Cuptaiu Hills, very fortunately, noticed the first cable parling, and seeing the danger m which the vessel stood, about 5.45 ho fired the signal gun, and m a few minutes after the Rocket Brigade assembled with commendable promptitude, together with a large number of people who were aroused by the report of the gun. The vessel touched the shore about 7.10, and a rocket having been fired, communication tvug immediately effected with her, and all the crew were safely landed. The vessel was then made fast to the shore and abandoned, and. she now lies high, and dry on the beach. The Craig Ji'llachie was a wooden vessel of 226 tons register, and at the time of her disaster was under the command of Captain Meredith. Sho was built m Sundcrland m 1862, and was therefore about 15 years old. About two years ago she was purchased by Messrs E. and J. Smilhjjcoal merchants, of.tb.i9 town, for whom she has been trading, principally to Newcastle, since. Sho was a very good sailer, having made her last passage from Newcastle m 13 dnys, and had also great carrying capacity, from 360 to 380 tons of coal being her usual cargo. Much sympathy is felt for Messrs Smith, as, though she is insured to some extent, they lose considerably by her. She was insured for £1000 m tho New Zealand Insurance Company, and for £300 m the Union. Her cargo was also insured for £300 m the Victorian Insurance Company's office, but only about 100 tons of cool remain now on board. The same afternoon's tide brought her broadside on to the shore, and many thought her position was improved and hopes that she might yet be saved were entertained. Yesterday, however, it was discovered that almost all her keel was smashed, while m several parts of her bottom she was letting water m and out freely. There is not now the slightest possibility of saving her, but as she is lying on a snndy bed, it is probable she will not break up for some time. On Saturday afternoon, by the last train, Captain Dunsford arrived from Christchurch, and he, with. Captain Cain, took possession of her on behalf of the underwriters, and it is probably that she will be offered for sale either to-day or next Thursday. An investigation into the cause of the disaster will be held m [tko Custom-house at 11 o'clock thiß morning. THE SCHOONEE KATE MACGBEGOE. This vessel also experienced tho full force of the fierce sea which was rolling m on; Saturday, and so far aB we can learn she had a narrow escape from meeting the same fate as the Craig Ellacbie. On Saturday night, about 9.30 o'clock, after baring stood bravely through it all day, one of her cables parted, and the signal of distress was at once hoisted. Captain Mills, the Harbormaster, was on the alert as usual, and noticing thp signal, about 10 o'clock fired the signal gun, and m a few minutes after the Volunteer Rocket Brigade were again at his side, ready for action. No immediate danger, however, being observable, two or three men were appointed to keep a look-out during the night, and the Brigade separated, and we are glad to state their services have not been called into requisition since. Yesterday & cask came ashore addressed to Captain Morgan, the master of the Kate Macgregor — who had come'ashore previous to the rising of the storm and was not able to return — which on being opened was found to contain a letter from hiß mate, stating that as one of her anchors had gone he would take the vesiel to sea m the event of her losing the other, or, failing that, he wished that a light should be placed on the safest part of the beach, so that he might try and save her from being injured. "These laudable precautions, however, proved unnecessary, as towards midnight on Saturday the weather moderated, and yesterday the sea waa tolerably calm, and now there appears no immediate danger of a recurrence of the »torm. The Annie £owe was the only other vei*el m port, but she rode out the storm m splendid style, and does not seem to hare. KBYed an inch daring the whole time. - https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/THD18771224.2.14
1887
Timaru Herald, 17 March 1887, Page 3
Isaac James Bradley and George Sunnaway, two watermen engaged in connection with the towing of the Lyttelton, were examined, and said they never saw a vessel towed out in the same direction as the Lyttelton. She was heading seaward, and going ahead when the anchor was let go.
1896
Evening Post, 12 June 1896, Page 6
Timaru, 12th June The ss Herald touched on the Patiti Point Beef early this morning, but sustained no damage.
1899
Evening Post, 6 May 1899, Page 5
Timaru. This Day. The barque John Gambles, 1066 tons, with coal and ballast, from Brisbane., when approaching Timaru this morning in a thick fog, got among the reefs inside Patiti Point, a mile south of the harbour, and struck. A tug and boats have gone to her assistance. The fog is still (at noon) thick, and the vessel cannot be seen from the shore.
Evening Post, 8 May 1899, Page 5
Timaru, 6th May. The latest news concerning the barque John Gambles, which went ashore at Patiti Point when coming from Brisbane to Timaru with coal and ballast, but was floated off within a few hours, is that the vessel bumped three times. She will not come into the Timaru harbour, but will go on to Lyttelton to be docked. The vessel is making no water. Captain Wilkie is in command.
1900
Timaru Herald Monday 1st October 1900
Loss of the Glencairn
Christchurch Sept. 29
The constable at Little River telegraphs this morning that a schooner was ashore at Ninety Mile beach, nine miles from Little River. There are six men on board. A trap has left Birdlings' Flat with help.
Christchurch Sept. 30
A fierce southerly gale with heavy rain set in on Friday night. The wind still continues.
At 2 a.m. on Saturday the schooner Glencairn, bound from Havelock to Timaru with timber, went ashore on the Ninety Mile beach, 16 miles from Little River. All hands got ashore, but with difficulty. The vessel, which was of 60 tons and owned by Mr John Jackson, Timaru, was broken up and the beach strewn with wreckage. Captain Watchlin is staying in the vicinity of the wreck and the crew were taken in by Messrs Price Brothers. Mr Jackson informs us that he had no insurance on vessel or cargo. The loss to him is a serious one.
Christchurch Oct 1. (TH Oct. 2nd)
The schooner Glencairn was valued at 750. Her cargo was valued at 160. The after part of the vessel is gone. but there is a large quantity of timber still in the forepart, which is lying at high water mark. The greater part of the wreck is drifting towards the Peninsula, but a large quantity is on the beach near Lake Forsyth.
Timaru Herald 9 October 1900 page 3
At the Nautical Inquiry into the wreck of the schooner Glencairn. Captain Watchlin was charged with having failed to carry the number of certified seaman required by the Shipping and Seamens Act. He had been unable to obtain an A.B. in Wanganui, and so had shipped two boys instead. Fined 1 pound. and Court costs. He had lost everything he had on board the vessel, and had not even a pair of boots. The Magistrate then reduced the fine to 1s without costs.
Oct. 11 1900 TH This week "Weekly Press" has a couple of photographs of the wreck of the Glencairn - the last we shall see, probably, of the unlucky Timaru schooner.
1901
Otago Witness, 13 February 1901, Page 58
THE LIGHTHOUSES OF NEW ZEALAND By Fabian Bell
The coast line from Banks Peninsula to Timaru our next light is low, and cannot be seen in thick weather or at night until close in upon the breakers, but southward of the town the cliffs rise again to the eight of 30ft to 50ft. Timaru itself lies on the seashore, and back of it rises the long line of mountains which forms the backbone of our island. Burkes Pass presents a very conspicuous feature in fine weather, and can be distinctly seen. Timaru is approached from the open sea, and the light here is a harbour light and not a coastal light. The lighthouse was built by the Government in 1877 (John Blackett, engineer), and handed over to the Harbour Board, who have maintained it ever since. It is lit and attended to by the night watchman. The light is furnished by three incandescent Welsbach burners, lit with gas, and is visible at a distance of about 14 miles. The chief danger of the Timaru Harbour is found in the Patiti Reef, which extends about two-thirds of a mile from Patiti Point, and is fronted by sand and shoal patches, with outlying reefs of rock and kelp. The lighthouse and flagstaff are on a cliff towards the north end of the town, and thus mark the S.W. extremity of the Ninety-mile Beach. The tower is 30ft high, built of wood, and painted white.
1919
The Argus Tuesday 15 April 1919 Page 7
Messrs Booth and Company, of Christchurch, have been advised that the wooden barque Albert, which left Timaru on January 24, laden with tallow and leather, has been wrecked on the Californian coast. The vessel is reported to be a total loss. The cargo, valued at about 35,000 pounds, was insured with American underwriters.
In 2016 the South Canterbury Coastguard was established in 1994 with the motto "the charity saving lives at sea" had 12 volunteers and cover from the Rangitata River to the Waitaki River and 12 miles (22km) out to sea. More people are wearing life jackets, are more safety conscious and have modern technology - GPS systems, cell phone and Epirbs.
Mobile Unit - NZ oral history, 1946-1948: RNZ Collection Haylock, Arthur Lagden, 1860-1948, Interviewee New Zealand Broadcasting Service. Mobile Recording Unit
An interview with New Zealand shipwreck historian Arthur Lagden Haylock who discusses wrecks around the New Zealand coastline. Mr Haylock, who was born in Akaroa, Banks Peninsula in 1860, is interviewed in Wellington, where he has lived since 1892. He talks about his interest in ship wrecks and his rescue work with the Rocket Brigade at Timaru (where he lived from about 1877).
Arthur and the interviewer discuss a map of New Zealand showing the location of various shipwrecks.
Arthur remarks that the ‘Orpheus’ wreck was one of the most celebrated in New Zealand and Waitara was very busy with ships. The Whanganui coast was dangerous and there were many wrecks. There were four wrecks in Wellington and twenty in Palliser Bay.
His interest in wrecks began with the ‘Melrose’ he describes how she became wrecked and the consequent loss of life. Arthur first got involved in wrecks when he lived in Timaru as they were fairly common due to the wind. He describes the thrill of the wreck as she strikes the beach.
The ‘Akbar’ was wrecked in 1879, after the ‘Melrose’, ‘Fanny’, ‘Glimpse’ and ‘Lapwing’ shipwrecks in 1878. Arthur explains how he joined the Timaru Rocket Brigade when the ‘Akbar’ was wrecked when Captain Alexander Mills was the harbourmaster. The Timaru Rocket Brigade’s headquarters were in a tower on the site of the old lighthouse in Timaru, where they were asked to keep watch in bad weather. The night the ‘Akbar’ was wrecked the ship couldn’t signal with a rocket or flare as they had got wet, which he feels was negligence from the captain as he didn’t keep them in a watertight box. It wasn’t until the morning that the ship was spotted on the rocks and five lives were lost including the captain and his wife.
Arthur describes that they used an 'express', which was a wagonette with two horses, to carry everything to and from the wreck, sometimes up to three miles by road and across paddocks
Arthur and the crew of the Timaru Rocket Brigade witnessed the ‘Craig Ellachie’ come ashore at 7am, after she dragged her anchor and parted her cable. He watched as Captain Meredith’s wife, the crew and then Captain Meredith came ashore.
The ‘Melrose’ was the most exciting wreck Arthur and the Timaru Rocket Brigade attended to, as it was very dangerous for the ship’s crew to hang on to the wreck and come ashore. He describes the scene as he watched from the beach when Judge Ward helped rescue the captain from drowning. He survived and was sent to hospital by Doctor McIntyre.
Arthur describes how on 22nd November 1879 the ‘John Watson’ struck the reef at Patiti Point and how the schooner ‘Saxon’ and the harbour master Captain Alexander Mills responded.
Arthur also recounts how the ‘City of Cashmere’ was wrecked on January 14th 1882 five miles north of Timaru and the Dashing Rocks. How he took a boat from the Timaru Boating Club so he could sketch the vessel in a watercolour and got into trouble at sea.
On a beautiful sunny day on the 14th May 1882, the sea ‘was in a furious state’. Whilst standing on the shore Arthur witnessed three boats capsized which were trying to reach two ships ‘City of Perth’ and the ‘Ben Venue’ that were anchored. At the inquiry the captain stated he had never seen such high waves created by the ocean currents crossing each other, not caused by the wind. The cross currents had caused the stern to slew right round. At the inquiry, the Harbour Board authorities said happened frequently in Timaru.
The ‘City of Perth’ came ashore under the Ben Venue cliffs and avoided being wrecked due to having two anchors down and ropes out. She was hauled off and taken to Port Chalmers for repairs and reconditioned to sail again. He recounts how the ‘City of Perth’ crossed the bow of the steamer ‘Ruapehu’ at 16 knots an hour and handed them a rope to tow them. Much to the excitement of those aboard the steamer, as this was a thing you would see ‘in the old shipping times’.
Mr Haylock came to Wellington in 1892 and has had 70 years of interest in ship wrecks, having kept a diary of wrecks since he was 13 years old.
In 1864 the Marine Department began publishing information on wrecks which Arthur uses for his research, earlier than that he uses books on New Zealand.
Arthur talks about the wreck of the ‘White Swan’ off Ariki Point when it raced with the ‘Storm Bird’ travelling from Auckland to Wellington, but came ashore by cutting the coast short, 36 miles from Masterton on the coast.
Arthur comments there has been between 1500-1700 wrecks around New Zealand, with the 'Endeavor' in Dusky Sound in 1769, being the earliest. Arthur collects information from the Marine Department, daily papers and books, which he then marks on the map and keeps a card system which lists the name of the vessel, the captain and the tonnage. Also collecting information from the Mission Library in Sydney and his friend George Cook. Also Mr Harris in Dunedin and he’s travelled to many places, including the British Museum and Hobart to uncover information on wrecks.
For 60 years Arthur investigated the ‘Wainui’ which was built for Mr Latter, whose sons Arthur played with. The ‘Wainui’ left New Zealand in 1874 and Arthur found out from the papers in 1879 she had been ‘lost in the islands’. Arthur contacted Miss Ida Leeson at the Mission library who advised Arthur to contact the Governor of New Caledonia. He made contact with the captain of the ‘Wainui’ who answered his questions after 60 years of investigating. Captain Champion was the last captain on the ‘Wainui’, he was employed by the Union Company in Lyttleton and captained Bishop Selwyn’s boat the ‘Undine’. The Chief Engineer of the 'Wahine', Ernest Low confirmed this to Arthur.
Sir George Shirtcliffe and Arthur Turnbull, now head of the shipping firm in Christchurch under the same name, were both members of the Timaru Rocket Brigade.
The shipping disasters and loss of life at Timaru, which occurred on Sunday 14th May, 1882.. Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 21/05/2023, https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/239
Conservation officer Mr Ashley Gualter at the city’s memorial for the wrecks of the Benvenue and the City of Perth.
Timaru streets are the sites of many famous wrecks Few people would think, walking into the Caroline Bay Hall, that in May 1869 a 183-tonne barque called the Susan Jane was wrecked there. Local conservation officer Mr Ashley Gualter recently compared records of where many vessels went down at Timaru to where land had been reclaimed. He plotted from information he had obtained from the South Can- terbury museum where each vessel originally sank or was grounded — although many of the wrecks broke up and were scattered. Between 1866 and 1886 what are now the Port of Timaru’s roadways had the unenviable record of having 28 wrecks or strandings.
Passing the South Canterbury Roller Skating Rink on the Port Loop Road, you are crossing over the site of the wreck of the Layard. On 8 June 1870 the 179-tonne brig ran aground there and was wrecked, while discharging its cargo of 257 tonnes of coal. Continuing along the Port Loop Road you cross the bows of where the 214 brig Fairy Queen ran aground in August 1873; the Wan- derer, a 32-tonne ketch which grounded on the same day; and the 237-tonne barque Isabella Ridley. The Isabella Ridley was dragged to the rocks by a strong surf on 19 April 1877.
The Rocket, Brigade had already assembled, and when the vessel beached a rocket was fired through its foresail, setting it alight. By Lindsay Mutch Staff Reporter Its crew of 10 landed safely, but during the night the chief officer and a seaman made an attempt to reach the wreck and save personal effects, but one of them drowned. The other was saved by the po- lice and later discharged with a caution. After passing the site where the Duke of Edinburgh was originally grounded with the Wanderer and the Fairy Queen but later refloated, you can move on to Hayes Street. On Hayes Street you pass over the site where the Prince Consort, a 36-tonne schooner was wrecked on 20 December 1866; and the 272- tonne brig Princess Alice ran ashore on 9 May 1875. Where the corner of Hayes Street. and Hayman Street is situated, the Cyrene was wrecked on the same day as the Princess Alice. The barque of 538 tonnes had been taking on water and ran itself aground about two hours after the Princess Alice.
Further down Haye Street is the site where the Lady of the Lake was grounded in 1873, but later refloated. Numerous other vessels were wrecked around Timaru — apart from the infamous tragedy of the City of Perth and the Benvenue on 14 May 1882. In 1886 the Lyttelton, an iron- hulled ship of 1111 tonnes, was be- ing towed out of the port by the steamer Grafton. However the tow line became entangled in the ship’s propeller and an anchor was dropped. When the tow resumed the ship holed its bottom with the anchor, and sank. It was the last vessel to sink at the port in the 20-year period. Since those years, between 1866 and 1886, the port’s record has im- proved considerably. Although the Elginshire ran aground at Norman- dy, south of Timaru, in 1892.
And in 1958 the Kaitoke ran aground, to be refloated later.
In 1959 the Holmglen sank about 35km east of Timaru, and on 12 November 1964 the 4670-tonne Treneglos was stranded on a reef off Jack’s Point. For four days the liner remained fast on the reef, until about 5000 bales of wool and several hundred tonnes of general cargo had been unloaded for transfer back to the port in boats — or jettisoned into the sea. When lifted, the vessel made its way to port for temporary répairs before being towed to Wellington. Mr Gualter said the study was one small historical aspect in the investigation of the department’s proposed marine reserve for the area.
D E Drake, Three Bradley brothers in 1882 wreck rescues (12 May 1982). Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 05/07/2023, https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/3660
Three Bradley brothers in 1882 wreck rescues D. EK. Drake It is not surprising that the dramatic events involving the wrecked Benvenue and the City of Perth in Caroline Bay on May 14, 1882, have been a talking point in the Bradley household over the years. On that fateful day annual reunion of sur- the cliffs alongside the perience of a shipwreck when nine gallant men lost. vivors. Benvenue. If I had known Was in 1873. When he was their lives in the port’s The reunions were dis- of the set as I do now, I only 18 years old, the little worst achipping uisebier, contin eda iS ouenl would never have left the pieamers ie eaeys e Hae Bradley brothers — abou 920 when ere ship.” 4ake, Was wrecked at the saac, Philip and Dan — were only eight or nine On-the journey back to Old landing service. at the ere solved in the Sever. Paes ee aa the shore, the Bradley life- Potton Cle eoree aoe al rescue attempts: which n May 14, 2, Isaac boat capsized. Isaac and n » When he was eo asblacs: oe peliand aspilp aradley were Philip were both rescued, OHNE a the one pilot rother-in-ld seorge among the first volunteers one of them by their Service, he schooner Sunaway, was also there. to crew a lifeboat which brother, Dan, who was a Amaranth got into dif- went out to the stricken member of the crew of the ficulties, and he had to row iT City of Perth, and Isaac, Alexandra, the port’s life- out to the ship, pick up the 5 then only 22 years of age, boat. master, and tow him back was the first man to go on For years afterwards, to shore. The Amaranth board the vessel. Later, he Isaac had plenty of op- later went ashore on Nine- said he was_ sent forward portunity to discuss the ty Mile Beach. by Captain McDonald events of 1882, He was for In 1882, there was the {master of the City of a long time. until his re- loss of the City of Wilfred, Florence, and Perth) to see if the bow an- irement in 1934, the Union Cashmere (January), the Rita (Mrs Pragnell), who chor had been carried Company’s marine super- Duke of Sutherland (May ailivesncbimnacn: away. intendent at the Port of 2) which was wrecked in cineronl vecurvivincarel’ In an interview with a Timaru, and often used to Caroline Bay in spite of ye oe youn iving Tela- vimaru Herald reporter in entertain the masters of nt attempts to save tive of Philip is his grand- Ldeldlaetint ie anna reaper ka her, and, of th son, Mr P. J. A. Bradley, !932, Isaac said it was then Visiting ships in his home. Ben SHC paecOUuse =the PISO OMTIMATUG: “" that a fatal mistake was | But the Rev. Ww. J. Benvenue and City of A vivid reminder of the Made. Brad eons, ise “Thi ee ees ory father dis i Bi ings or 2 scene in Caroline Bay 100 “Most of us thought the aes coun e. sipeln “Black” Sunday” Be May years ago is a fine oil pain- vessel was going ashore on “He used 14, 1882 — but Mr Bradle} ting in the home of Mr A. I Dashing Rocks,” he said. e later considered that his Biciia at 137 eon the a ip, ve pou time went on, but we were Worst personal experience The Saran of CoM ne ieee a ing over really just water rats’,” was with the wreck of the C..M. th , and it did not look Mr Bradley recalled. Elginshire, just south of Jones, once eescribed fas like an inviting place to go Isaac Bradley probably Timaru, in May, 1892. On an engineer aboard the . . . and we took to the had every reason to de- that occasion, he spent 24 be dranimg i chvsfe Sap” gina See, el a a ater Nurs nasal bat nie a z s at, for vas j 2 open sea. Benvenue close in to the shore, she got into a south- Sales eves: eS "'Tsaac Bradley died in Benvenue Cliffs and rolling erly set. and drifted into sailors. His first ex- 1936. He was 76. Isaac, who was almost legendary on the Tir waterfront through his 55 years’ service there, most of it with the old Union Steam Ship Company. is today survived by four of his large family — Arthur, to say ‘we were called heroes as the and the City of Perth . drifting stern-on to the cliffs. Amid the heavy, rolling seas are the life. boats which set out to try to rescue the City of Perth. According to notes pub- lished in The Timaru Her- ald 50 years ago, the paint- ing had been described as “most realistic’’. Mr Arthur Bradley, now 83, said he did not know how the painting came to be in the possession of his family, but ‘‘it was in our old home‘for as long as I can remember”’. And, perhaps, it was ap- propriate for the painting to be in the Isaac Bradley home for not only did he and his two brothers figure prominently in the rescues, but for a number of years afterward his Messrs Arthur (left) and Wilfred Bradley with the C. M. Jones oil painting of ships in trouble in home the venue for an Caroline Bay on May 14, 1882.
Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand
Personal records Correspondence & Reminiscences
Record Title : Haylock, Arthur Lagden, 1860-1948
Family history papers 1918-1957 MS-Papers-3562, 1 folder (12 items)
Arthur Lagden Haylock was born in Akaroa in 1860. In 1877 he entered the Government Service as a cadet, and was posted to the Land Office at Timaru. His great interest in the sea and ships led him to join the `Timaru Rocket Brigade', a group of volunteers which watched over vessels anchored in the roadstead. He was transferred to Christchurch and then Wellington and after his retirement was active in the Anglican Church's Men's Society and also continued his interest in compiling records of early events, especially shipwrecks. He died in 1948.
Papers include several letters written to Haylock by various people, during the 1940s giving information on his forebears in Akaroa and Banks Peninsula. Also included is an obituary of S C Farr, dated 14 Jul 1918, an article written by Haylock on Captain James Bruce (d. 1858) , an autobiographical account of his time in Timaru entitled `Recollections of Timaru 1877-1882' which deals mainly with his activities in the `Rocket Brigade' and the shipwrecks of that era and a newspaper clipping dated 11 May 1957 which also deals with shipwrecks near Timaru. A biographical note written by Haylock's son or daughter gives some details of his life.
Dicken family, Haylock family , Farr family
Baker, Thomas Southey 1848-1902
Farr, Samuel Charles, 1827-1918
Haylock, Arthur Lagden 1860-1948
Timaru [1878?]
Reference Number : A-157-018
Physical Description : Pencil and watercolour 127 x 176 mm
View of township looking across water to foreshore with Southern Alps in background.
Other Notes : of other sketches of Timaru in Haylock's Sketchbook, 1878-9 (E-060b) in Drawings and Prints Collection.
Historical Notes : Probably drawn while artist worked in Timaru as a cadet in the Lands Office.
Restrictions : Partial restriction : Use photographic copies in preference to original
Digital Copy : Digital copy available
HAYLOCK, Arthur Lagden 1860-1948
Born Akaroa, son of Charles Lagden Haylock who arrived in New Zealand on the Monarch 1850. On 19 September 1868 George Frederick Wascoe married Sarah Haylock, widow of Charles Lagden Haylock. He was transferred to Christchurch and then Wellington. After his retirement he was active in the Anglican Church Men's Society and maintained his interest in compiling records of maritime events. He died in 1948. He was only child of Charles Lagden Haylock's second marriage. Arthur had 4 half brothers from a former marriage of C.L.; Peter, Charles, George and Harry. In 1877 Arthur entered the Government Service as a cadet, and was posted to the Land Office at Timaru, was a government draughtsman. His great interest in ships and the sea led him to join the Timaru Rocket Brigade, a group of volunteers which watched over vessels anchored in the roadstead, and made a hobby of recording wrecks. He was involved in the attempts to save the "City of Perth" and the "Ben Venue" in May 1882. His paintings and photographs of wrecks were presented to the Timaru Historical Society. Album compiled by Arthur Lagden Haylock, containing views of Lyttelton, Ganymede, and City of Perth and Benvenue stranded at Timaru in May 1882. .. The sail and steam ship Chile lying at anchor off Timaru, with a rowboat approaching her. Created by: Haylock, Arthur Lagden, 1860-1948 (as the artist) He signed his work A.L.H.
Date 1879 By Haylock, Arthur Lagden, 1860-1948 Reference E-060-2-010
Description A broadside view of a small steam and sailing ship
Quantity: 1 watercolour(s).
Physical Description: Watercolour, 118 x 175 mm
Access restrictionsPartly restricted - Please use surrogate in place of originalPart ofHaylock, Arthur Lagden 1860-1948 :Sketches by A. L. Haylock, 1878, 1879, 1883. / Haylock, Arthur Lagden 1860-1948 :Sketches by A. L. Haylock, 1878, 1879, 1883.Format1 watercolour(s), Works of art, Watercolours, Marines (Visual works), Watercolour, 118 x 175 mm
A broadside view of a small steam and sailing ship, the Annie Bow, Timaru. 1879?
Haylock, Arthur Lagden 1860-1948 : Reference Number: E-060-2-010
The 'Annie Bow' was a barquentine of 250 tons, built at Garmouth, Scotland in 1869. In the 1880s it was owned by Alexander White of Timaru, and operated as a cargo ship between Timaru and Australia. It was later used as a coal hulk and sank alongside King's Pier, Hobart, on 22 March 1924. The vessel was subsequently blown up with explosives.
The Albion Shipping Company's Ships... Timaru. Built for P Henderson & Cos Line of London & New Zealand Packets
PAH8593 1874
Creator: Clark, William; Dutton, Thomas Goldsworthy
Vessels: Timaru 1874 [British]
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Sheet: 535 x 716 mm
The sailing ship "Timaru" was built in 1874 for the Albion Line. She weighed 1363 tons. She landed at Port Chalmers eleven times between 1875 and 1891. She was sold in 1900, and wrecked in 1907. See White Wings (Vol 1, p 122-123)
Datebetween 1875-1891Reference1/1-002448-GDescription
The sailing ship `Timaru' docked at Port Chalmers alongside the Shaw, Savill & Albion Co. Export Stores. Photograph taken by David Alexander De Maus between 1875 and 1891.
Inscriptions: Photographer's title on negative - bottom centre - "Timaru"; Photographer's title on negative - bottom left - 504
`Timaru' was built in 1874. She landed at Port Chalmers eleven times between 1875 and 1891. She was wrecked in 1907. (Information from `White Wings' by Henry Brett, 1924, Vol 1, pages 122-3)
Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).
Physical Description: Dry plate glass negative 6.5 x 8.5 inches
Access restrictionsPartly restricted - Please use surrogate in place of originalPart ofDe Maus, David Alexander, 1847-1925 :Shipping negativesFormat1 b&w original negative(s), Negatives, Marines (Visual works), Dry plate glass negative 6.5 x 8.5 inches, Orientation: Horizontal image
Date1875-1899Reference1/1-002447-GDescription
Crew of the "Timaru" standing at her bow, her figurehead in view, while docked at the Port Chalmers graving dock. Taken by David Alexander De Maus between 1875 and 1899.
The "Timaru" was built in 1874 for the Albion Line and weighed 1363 tons. She was sold by the company in 1900, and wrecked in 1907.
Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).
Physical Description: Wet collodion glass negative 6.5 x 8.5 inches
Access restrictionsPartly restricted - Please use surrogate in place of originalPart ofDe Maus, David Alexander, 1847-1925 :Shipping negativesFormat1 b&w original negative(s), Negatives, Marines (Visual works), Wet collodion glass negative 6.5 x 8.5 inches, Orientation: Horizontal image