- Photo By John Rushton
By Roselyn Fauth
We have some exciting arrivals on site this week, including the shipwrecks "cargo", it'll look like they've floated out of the wreck and are bobbing in the sea.
The crates were designed by CPlay volunteer John Rushton, the steel brackets were fabricated by Chris Small (Total Spec) and we are so grateful to the team from Master Builders who gave their time to build and install the crates and barrels.
Next task will be signwriting them so they bring some more historic elements into the playground to inspire imaginative play...
There were over 30 shipwrecks along Timaru's coast, threatening lives, cargo and ships. The ships needed to anchor close to the shore for efficiency, but if the sea kicked up and there was little wind, the ships didn't have enough room to tack to the safety. Many lost their anchors and ran aground on the beaches and cliffs.
Lifeboat and rocket brigades would rush to their rescue, and the volunteers saved many lives.
Imagine being a farmer, who has broken in a new farm, gone to all that effort to grow wheat, shear sheep, raise animals only to see their efforts escape from a wreck and float away.
Timaru was really hard to get to because of the wide braided rivers. The sea was the colonial highway.
For the area to become a viable hub, we needed to build an artificial harbor, otherwise ships would go elsewhere.
And that is what the locals did. They wanted it so bad, they even funded it themselves, and the rate payers owned the harbour. The Port of Timaru was one of only two independently owned ports in the country. The investment, offered huge opportunity, and created a new sandy, this was developed into the "Rivera of the South" where people have played for over a 120 years.
Frozen Meat Cargo
First Flour Export 1867 - the font is based on a D.C. Turnbull & Co branding template - Photo Roselyn Fauth
First European Immigrant Ship to sail direct from UK to Timaru
Tools to build the new colony
Branded Kiwi applied the designs by CPlay Volunteer Roselyn Fauth. Theming the crates gives an added layer os story sharing and links to our history and why the locals were motivated to construct a port.
Brackets in place ready for crate cladding - November - Photo Roselyn Fauth
Master Builder gives his time to help clad the crates - Photo Roselyn Fauth
CPlay Volunteer Vicki Gould helps stain the crates - November - Photo Roselyn Fauth
CPlay Volunteer Vicki Gould helps stain the crates - November - Photo Roselyn Fauth