Taranaki: wreck moments in history

Before Pae Korokī and Papers Past, the New Zealand Room librarians would note topics of interest in an alphabetised card catalogue, this is their selection of mentions of the wreck of the ship 'Taranaki' in the Bay of Plenty Times and other sources.

November 1878:

• Article about the wreck at Karewa Island from firefighter on board. Occurred at 9am. Captain Malcolm, Mr Holm Chief Officer, E.T. Gillon passenger - gives account. 30 November 1878.
• Pavoti Taiwaiwaia, chief, Maungatapu, said at 9am Taranaki had hit rocks.
• Passenger list for Tauranga: Mr Ross, Mr Edmonds, Mrs Wilson, Rev and Mrs Hill, Miss Leachman, Mr Goodier, Mr and Mrs Jenkins, Mrs Kirk and two children, Morrin, Quintal, J.B. Whyte, McMillan, Chayton (also list of those going further south). 30 November 1878.

 

December 1878: Mr Horne said Taranaki had oysters aboard. 14 December 1878.

 

1974: Lost part of ship found after 96 years. Taranaki went aground at entrance to Tauranga Harbour in 1878. Bay of Plenty Times, 24 August 1974.

1978:

• Sea gives up anchor. Anchor recovered from the Taranaki lost off Karewa Island November 1878, almost 100 years later. Bay of Plenty Times, 11 May 1978.
• Taranaki anchor rich in history. Anchor uplifted by four divers on 13 May 1978, almost 100 years later, since the Taranaki, an iron screw steamer of 443 tonnes wrecked on Karewa Island, 29th November 1878. Bay of Plenty Times, 16 May 1978.

 

The secretary of the Mōtītī Divers Club, Mr J. Cassidy, looks through a porthole fitting from the steam sailer Taranaki at the Mount Maunganui Hobbies Fair. The Taranaki was built in 1865 by Blackwood and Gordon at the Port of Glasgow and sank on November 29, 1878, off Karewa Island. The fitting and the maker's nameplate were retrieved from the ship by club member Mr G. Barnett. Bay of Plenty Times, 23 January 1975.

Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries photo gcc-32156