A stormy sea, Timaru by William Ferrier, 1897-09-11 - Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections NZG-18970911-0356-02
The Benvenue moored to a buoy 1880. The Benvenue was an iron full rigged ship of 999 tons. Built in 1867 by Messrs. Barclay, Curle and Company of Glasgow. https://tiaki.natlib.govt.nz/#details=ecatalogue.195296
The wrecks at Timaru, New Zealand : the ships on shore. - wood engraving by Cooke, A. C. (Albert Charles), 1836-1902 - June 17, 1882 - slv.vic.gov.au/permalink/f/1cl35st/SLV_ROSETTAIE737295
The Ben Venue (left) and City of Perth (right) ships in Caroline Bay. The Ben Venue was wrecked at Caroline Bay in May 1882. The city of Perth collided with the wreckage and also ran aground but was eventually refloated carrying over 5000 sacks of milling wheat from newly broken in farms of the area. Photographer J Dickie Courtesy South Canterbury Museum 2014/056.01
With the increase in sea trade came an increase in danger and disaster. The sea in this part of the New Zealand coastline was treacherous, with strong swells and sudden, unpredictable changes in the weather. The swells threatened ships anchored offshore, and by the time the Harbour Board was first formed in 1877 more than twenty ships had wrecked around the Timaru Coastline.
Not only did the wrecks threaten lives, cargo and rising insurance premiums, they also hurt Timaru's reputation as a viable export hub. There was a lot of intense debate on whether Timaru should have a port and if it did how it would proceed. There was also a difficult choice on where to anchor ships. They were safer out at sea when a gale picked up, but this made loading and unloading more inefficient
Construction eventually began in 1878 on a breakwater, with 630 ton/400 cubic yards of concrete poured in situ. This original breakwater still stands today, though has been extended and modified over the years.
When disaster struck on May 14 1882, many people reaffirmed their support for the harbour. Nine lives were lost when the Ben Venue and the City of Perth both ran aground in heavy sea swells. All the ships’ cargo was lost in the disaster too, drastically damaging the local industry. The City of Perth was carrying over 5000 sacks of wheat, while the Ben Venue had over 500 tons of coal onboard. While anchored in the bay, huge rollers unexpectedly hit and knocked out anchors on both ships. The Ben Venue drfited first, with the City of Perth running aground and smashing into the Ben Venue shortly after.
Thousands of people had gathered on the shore and watched helpless as the devastation unfolded. Both ships had successfully evacuated with everyone ashore, but regrettably the harbourmaster, Captain Alexander Mills, made the call to attempt to salvage the City of Perth. Once aboard they quickly realized this was a fruitless endeavour. After launching their own lifeboats these too capsized, throwing 40 men into the water.
It wasn’t until the next day that they were able to ascertain how many lives had been lost. Captain Mills was among those who perished, dying from exposure the following day. He had saved many lives over the years that he was harbourmaster and he left behind his wife Margaret (nee Sinclair), four sons, and three daughters. You can see a stone obelisk monument to the wreck on the corner of Sophia and Perth Streets.
Melbourne : David Syme and Co., June 10, 18821882 Engraving published in Illustrated Australian news. http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/253140 - https://viewer.slv.vic.gov.au/?entity=IE8283546&file=FL21663586&mode=browse
Illustrated Australian News (Melbourne, Vic. : 1876 - 1889), Saturday 10 June 1882, page 85 - nla.gov.au/nla.news-article63185597
Section from a photograph taken by the Burton Brothers circa 1882; of the "Ben Venue" stranded. In the distance you can see the Caroline Bay coastline before the sand started to accumulate.
Courtesy Te Papa (C.025205)
Timaru Volunteer Rocket Brigade. Photographer William Ferrier c1882. Courtesy of the South Canterbury Museum South Canterbury Museum 0844
A Cry for Help the Life Line from the Shore. A Cry for Help, the Life-Line from the Shore, Rocket Apparatus used by the Volunteer Life Brigade. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 8 January 1887.
How the Illustrated London News saw rowing lifeboats in action. heartheboatsing.com/for-those-in-peril-on-the-sea/
The wrecks at Timaru, New Zealand: Lifeboats rescuing sailors in heavy surf, one life boat named City of Perth. Wood engraving by Ashton, Julian Rossi, 1851-1942. slv.vic.gov.au/permalink/f/1cl35st/SLV_ROSETTAIE670476
The South Canterbury Museum has an exhibit that includes the Benvenue Bell and medals, the rocket brigade lifesaving launch and the canon that summoned the rocket brigade. Photograpy courtesy of Roselyn Fauth.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEF: The Rocket brigade badge from SC Museum Display; Timaru Ben Venue Stranded (Timaru, "Ben Venue" stranded, stern, circa 1882, Dunedin, by Burton Brothers studio. Te Papa (C.025205). Bravery Medal from SC Museum Display; Benvenue Cliffs where the ship lies below; Section of mural at Caroline Bay by J. Nilson depicting shipwreck; Looking up Benvenue Cliffs to the Blackett Lighthouse. Photography courtesy of Roselyn Fauth. Learn more here
This photograph shows the Ben Venue wreck in the distance wrecked on the basalt rock apron below the cliff c1880s. Curtosey of Te Papa; Timaru, 1880s, Timaru, by Burton Brothers studio. Purchased 1991. Te Papa (O.034179)
ABOVE: The first Flour Mill in South Canterbury was built by John Hayhurst at Milford in 1864. Timaru Herald 11 June 1934 19822. RIGHT Advert taken out in the Oamaru Mail to sell by auction 5000 sacks of prime milling wheat in good order and condition ex City of Perth June 2nd 1882.
Wreck of the Elginshire off Normanby wrecked off the coast of Timaru by Ethel Lovegrove - 1892-04-09 - Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections NZG-18920409-0386-01
The large painting (about four feet in length) of the wreck of 'City of Perth' and 'Ben Venue' at Timaru hung for many years in the Farmers tearooms and now the painting is at the Port Company Offices, Timaru at Marine Parade. The plate below the painting read : The Wreck of the Ben Venue and City of Perth 14 th May 1882. Presented to The Port of Timaru Ltd. By Arthur Bradley. Last surviving son of Issac Bradley a member of the rescue crafts crew. Located at Prime Port - Photo by Roselyn Fauth.
In 1882, Isaac married Elizabeth Harriet Edwards Heaven. That same year, he and his brothers Philip and Daniel, who also worked on the waterfront, contributed to lifesaving efforts on the famous 14 May, when the ‘Benvenue’ and ‘City of Perth’ were wrecked and nine lives lost. Isaac and Philip, along with Carl Vogeler, were the only surviving participants when the event was commemorated on its jubilee anniversary in 1932. Isaac and Elizabeth had six sons and six daughters between 1883 and 1903, two of whom predeceased them. Elizabeth died in 1928 at the age of 66. By the time Isaac died in 1936, his involvement in the local community had extended beyond the military. In 1914, for example, he was appointed Justice of the Peace. He was also a member of, amongst other groups, the South Canterbury Caledonian Society, for which he served as President and on the board of directors, and the Timaru Harbour Board. Issac died 1936, aged 76. In 1907.
Issac Bradley was born at Lodden, Victoria, and came to New Zealand with his parents while still quite young and had most of his schooling at Hokitika. He served-his time at the carpentering trade at Waimate before going to Timaru, where he entered the employ of the Union Steam Ship Company as a stevedore. He worked on the waterfront for 52 years until his retirement three years ago. After his retirement he was elected ,to the Harbour Board and served on it continuously until Ws death, though- since March be had not taken an active part through serious illness. In his younger days Mr Bradley was well known as an athlete and rifle shot and was a keen member of the volunteers. For many years Mr Bradley was a member of the directorate of the South Canterbury Caledonian Society and for a time its president. He was die founder of the North End Golf Club and its president for some years, and one of the' oldest members of the/Timaru Bowling Club and a former president of the South Canterbury Bowling Centre, He was also a member of the Timaru Domain Board at the time of his death, and a foundation member of the Druids' Lodge. In 1914, he was made a justice of the peace and was a staunch member of St Mary's Anglican Church, Mr Bradley leaves a family of 10, five sons and five daughters. They are -Messrs Percy Bradley, Arthur Bradley, Herbert Bradley, Wilfred Bradley (Timaru), Edward Bradley (Christchurch) Mrs W. Tubb, Jun. (Timaru), Mrs D. Scrimogeour (Ashburton), Misses Olive Bradley, Florence Bradley (Timaru), and Rita Bradley (Masterton). - Press, 3 October 1936, Page 16 Mr I. J. BRADLEY
Timaruvian, Port of Timaru Wreck-Free For 68 Years (May 1954). Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 23/06/2023, https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/3649
Anchor that has been gifted to CPlay to incorporate.
"There is one archaeological site recorded within the harbour area of the port, believed to be the anchor from a ship in 1882. PrimePort has confirmed the location of the shipwreck was in fact outside of the Port and the anchor is located in Caroline Bay." - CRC210234ApplicationCPLUworksLot2DP326718andLot1DP427326TimaruHarbourCoastalMarineArea.PDF
Ancient anchor brought into Port of Timaru
A barnacle-encrusted anchor, thought to be from a wreck dating back to the 1800s, has been landed at the Port of Timaru.
The anchor was towed back under sea by the Timaru trawler Apollo.
The fishing boat's traw net was written off when it snagged on the anchor 1.5 miles off the coast between the Orari and Rangitata rivers.
There could be some difficulty identifying which vessel the anchor came from.
There were six wrecks along the 90-mile beach between 1866 and 1900. Also further 17 vessels were wrecked off an around Timaru between 1865 and 1959.
A possibility could be schooner Sucess, which foundered in heavy seas off Ashburton 1875. Four of the crew drowned when the vessel broke up.
The skipper of the Apolo, Me Paul Roberts, said the anchor had caused trouble to fishermen. He said for trawl nets of the Apollow had been damaged over a number of years after snagging on the anchor.
When the Apollo winched up its net, the anchor came free from the mud, said Mr Roberts. The Anchor was then secured behind the trawler and towed back to Timaru under water.
It took the Apollo more than three hours to return to port with the anchor in tow. The journey normally takes 80 minutes.
History from the deep - Mr Eddie Brown (left), owner of the Timaru vessel Nella, and the skipper, Mr Don Geddes, examine the vessel’s “catch” yesterday.
A piece of early South Canterbury was brought to the surface yesterday when the Timaru trawler, the Nella, snaged what is thought to be an old sailing ship anchor.
The anchor, found about five miles north of Timaru and about three and a half miles off shore, has caused damage to trawl nets over many years.
While old anchors are snagged from. time to time, it is not often they are brought ashore, as the fishing gear normally “breaks away.
The last to be brought ashore some years ago, is now set in concrete outside the clubrooms of the Endeavour Sea Scouts, on the North Mole.
It took skipper Don Geddes, of Timaru, and his crew three hours to bring the anchor aboard the Nella. The vessel's net became en-tangled in the anchor only half an hour after it had started its tow.
The owner of the vessel, Mr Eddie Brown, said yesterday the old anchor could be used for a boat mooring but that he would rather see it given to a museum or any organisation that was intersted in historical artefacts.
Mr Brown added that Mr Pat Small, of Blast Clean Services, in Timaru, had offered to clean the anchor if it was to go to such an organisation.
The anchor was well preserved considering the time it had been in the sea.
Artwork by Francine Spencer to inspire the Taniwha that will feature under the flying fox in the rubber safety surface. Image must not be reproduced without permission.
