| Author
| Message
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Martin Owen Cahill
Member
Username: martin
Post Number: 493
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Monday, May 28, 2007 - 11:41 am: |       |
Hi,Kevin
If I am lucky you'll hear from me, the hunt has begun on it.
Hi Alyssa,
If you are in Christchurch you might want to check out Lyttelton. It was the scene of alot of activity over the decades with those ships. I think they have a local museum. This would be a good start. ask around as there may be people who have stories of the time.
cheers
Martin
"No Sir, We just hit the cruiser"
helmsman on Queen Mary
|
Martin Owen Cahill
Member
Username: martin
Post Number: 574
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, March 9, 2008 - 10:22 am: | |
On the eve of the 40h anniversary of this disaster a new website has been created by the Godson of the ship's captain.
It is well worth the time recquired to read it.
http://www.thewahine.co.nz/wahine.html
It deals very much with the story of Captain Robertson and the ship he commanded
"No Sir, We just hit the cruiser"
helmsman on Queen Mary
|
Martin Owen Cahill
Member
Username: martin
Post Number: 575
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, March 9, 2008 - 10:25 am: | |
On April 9 at 8.30pm a BBC documentary will go to air on Maori TV in New Zealand.
This film is about the the events of April 10 1968 and hopefully will be seen overseas as well.
"No Sir, We just hit the cruiser"
helmsman on Queen Mary
|
Jason D. Tiller
Moderator
Username: jtiller
Post Number: 4559
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 1, 2008 - 11:43 pm: | |
From the New Zealand Herald:
TV Review: Still seeking answers 40 years after ferry tragedy
quote:Television documentaries that come heralded by promos promising answers to unsolved mysteries so often prove to be windy and overblown affairs.
But last night's re-examination of the Wahine interisland ferry sinking in April 1968 (Inside Story: The Wahine Disaster, TV One, 9.30) navigated its way solidly around the sensationalist reefs on which so many of the lightweights run aground.
For the rest go to, http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1501119/story.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10501220
"To be happy is to be contented in your own mind"...Harold Godfrey Lowe
43° 44' 01" N, 79° 24' 16"W
|
Iain Stuart Yardley
Member
Username: boz
Post Number: 1014
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, December 21, 2008 - 7:13 pm: | |
Evening all,
I met a chap from New Zealand working in Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, yesterday. He is aged about 30 and has never visited the North Island. Worse still, he has never heard of the Wahine. Amazing, I thought. Then again, I shouldn't be so surprised. During my research into the Herald of Free Enterprise, many people I know confused the Zeebrugge disaster with the Marchioness or the Estonia and some had never even heard of it at all.
I was always shocked at how some of my friends made it through each day seemingly completely oblivious to what was happening in the world. I often thought my possibly obsessive interest in historical events was a burden but, nah, I guess I'm just helping to keep the memory alive.
Cheers,
Box |
Martin Owen Cahill
Member
Username: martin
Post Number: 678
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Monday, July 12, 2010 - 12:21 pm: | |
http://www.thewahine.co.nz/index.html?Home+Page.x=72&Home+Page.y=7
this is the updated link to Murray Robinsons' excellent website about the Wahine.
I rate it ***** out of 5
"No Sir, We just hit the cruiser"
helmsman on Queen Mary
|
Michael Shetina
Member
Username: titanicmichael
Post Number: 100
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 1:32 am: | |
Does anyone have any information on the ferry Wahine, which sank in a storm off New Zealand. I have only seen it once on the Discovery Channel. I have never seen or heard of it again.
Please help!!!!
Best Wishes
Mike Shetina |
Dave Gittins
Member
Username: gittins
Post Number: 597
Registered: 4-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 2:17 am: | |
For the full story go to http://www.nzmaritime.co.nz/wahine.htm
The incident is a fine example of the uselessness of lifeboats in a real seaway. |
Fiona Nitschke
Moderator
Username: beckwith
Post Number: 191
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 2:39 am: | |
Thanks for that site, Dave. I've seen the story in documentaries, so it was good to get a bit more detail. I also take your point about the lifeboats.
Michael, here's a 1998 article from The Wairarapa Times, including interviews with a survivor couple and one of the rescuers: www.times-age.co.nz/weekly/wahine.html |
Michael Shetina
Member
Username: titanicmichael
Post Number: 101
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 6:50 am: | |
thank you!!!!
Best Wishes
Mike Shetina |
Nigel Bryant
Member
Username: nbryant
Post Number: 251
Registered: 1-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 10:40 am: | |
With the Wahine Diaster,it would proably be best to contact Martin Cahill. He is a fellow New Zealander, like myself and is very knowleable at the subject. He travelled on the Wahine before she sank, so did my mother. He will proably be the best person to contact and I am sure he won't mind you dropping in a line. His email address is: ngaio62@yahoo.com
Hope this is of help.
Regards,
Nigel
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Martin Owen Cahill
Member
Username: martin
Post Number: 83
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Friday, July 19, 2002 - 1:06 am: | |
Thanks Nigel for your post. You are all welcome to write to me directly if you like.
With regard to the life boats 4 of the 8 were able to be launched namely those on the low starboard side.
#1 was the motorised emergency boat. this got away and the engine was started. However water was found to be entering via the drainage hole and it swamped killing the motor. It capsized in heavy seas to be washed up on the eastern shore.
#s 23&4 were larger and hand propelled by lever action. These were fully loaded and drifted east of the ferry into rougher water. 2&4 were taken in tow by private launches and landed there cargo safe at Seatoun. #3 under the command of a Quartermaster was navigated up hrbour to land its passengers at Eastbourne.
The liferafts proved quite capable of supporting life even when the deployed upsidedown or incompletely and were successfull until they reached the east coast.
More lives would have been saved if the small boat skippers had been aware and able to mobolise quicker. Most ofthe 51 lost were on the east coast.
cheers
Martin
|
Martin Owen Cahill
Member
Username: martin
Post Number: 325
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 9:10 am: | |
 |
Martin Owen Cahill
Member
Username: martin
Post Number: 326
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 9:11 am: | |
 |
Martin Owen Cahill
Member
Username: martin
Post Number: 327
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 9:15 am: | |
This memorial is the aft mast of the Wahine and was erected in 1990 on the wellington waterfront near the Interisland wharf where she would depart at 8pm for Lyttelton.
Martin |
Martin Owen Cahill
Member
Username: martin
Post Number: 328
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 9:17 am: | |
should read "Inter Island Wharf" |
Senan Molony
Member
Username: senan_molony
Post Number: 193
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 3:44 pm: | |
Very interesting pics, Martin. Thanks for posting them. |
Inger Sheil
Moderator
Username: isheil
Post Number: 3877
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 12:30 am: | |
Great photos, Martin.
I've always intended to look more closely into the NZ inter-island ferries - one of Harold Lowe's brothers reportedly captained one for a number of years. |
Martin Owen Cahill
Member
Username: martin
Post Number: 329
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 8:40 am: | |
thanks Inger and Senan for your support. I plan to post more as I am able to. I feel a certain debt after the generosity of my friends in the UK and Erie who have post images for me.
you no doubt know about the Princess victoria disaster, esp you Senan. The Wahine was similar to that and the connection between the two is that the PV design flaws led to the design of stern door on the Wahine which was later found to be watertight after the ship sank.
Inger, if you have any more detail about that Titanic connection I'd love to know more. Any questions about the NZ ferries do post them and I'll have ago.
cheers
Martin |
Michael Poirier
Member
Username: mike_poirier
Post Number: 148
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 12:32 pm: | |
Hello Martin
Thanks very much for sharing those interesting photos. They are excellent. Have you ever met a Wahine survivor?
Thanks
Mike
" God will get you for that Walter! " |
Inger Sheil
Moderator
Username: isheil
Post Number: 3880
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Monday, May 16, 2005 - 2:18 am: | |
Harold Lowe himself was a big fan of NZ, Martin. It was no wonder one of his brothers settled there. There are a few other family connections as well. I'll see if I can send you some information on the inter-island ferry link. |
Martin Owen Cahill
Member
Username: martin
Post Number: 344
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Monday, July 4, 2005 - 8:28 am: | |
Hi Michael,
Yes I have met survivors both crew and passengers. I am involved in ongoing research for a writing project/Book and have interviewed a number of them. the transcripts of the Inquiry and its papers are also readily available.
There are more photos where they came from.
Martin |
Michael Poirier
Member
Username: mike_poirier
Post Number: 167
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, July 4, 2005 - 3:39 pm: | |
HI Martin
This is excellent news! I definitely can't wait to read your book. I have a tv special on tape and I felt so bad for the mother who hit her little girl for not wanting to go in the lifeboat and the little girl ended up drowning. Then there was the newlywed who jumped overboard and she recalled looking up and seeing her husband just standing there. Perhaps you could do a preview article for ET as well?
Good luck and best wishes!
Mike
" God will get you for that Walter! " |
Jim Kalafus
Member
Username: jak
Post Number: 2097
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Monday, July 4, 2005 - 8:00 pm: | |
I, too, look forward to reading it, so best of luck with the project! |
Martin Owen Cahill
Member
Username: martin
Post Number: 345
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 3:28 am: | |
Thanks Jim and Mike,
I have met the Mother you mention. She comes to Wellington every year. She lost two of her children. Alma, on the day and Gordon who died 21 years later as a result of the brain damage caused by his near drowning. Shirley Hick looked after him for as long as it took and that required a lot of strength. She is an amazing person and my first impression when I met her was of great strength.
Personally the most sobering fact is the fate of Colin Johnson, 6 y.o.. He is listed as drowned. he was the same age as I was on the day and when I saw his death certificate in the Archives it really stopped me in my tracks as I had recently travelled on WAHINE as well.
There, but for the grace of God, go I.
Martin |
Martin Owen Cahill
Member
Username: martin
Post Number: 405
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Friday, June 9, 2006 - 3:19 am: | |
Wahine Memorial Seatoun Beach
This is a place I visit often and watch the ships pass. I still see the Wahine out there even though she is not.
Martin |
Kevin McCormick
Member
Username: kev
Post Number: 1
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Monday, November 13, 2006 - 5:43 am: | |
Hi Martin
Thanks for your stuff on the Wahine - very interesting. Just wondering - do you know what ever happened to the Aranui?
Thanks and Regards
Kevin |
Martin Owen Cahill
Member
Username: martin
Post Number: 413
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Monday, November 13, 2006 - 7:18 am: | |
Aranui was sold and sailed for the same compay as the Aramoana. NadjII and III.
Both went up the beach at Alang.
Martin
"These were not designed to float upside down,"
- Richard dreyfuss |
Kevin McCormick
Member
Username: kev
Post Number: 2
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 15, 2006 - 2:36 am: | |
Such a shame such symbols of N Z domestic maritime history had to end up in a place like that
Kevin |
Kevin McCormick
Member
Username: kev
Post Number: 3
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, December 28, 2006 - 12:15 am: | |
Hi Martin
Can you advise if and where I can get a copy of the inquiry into the Wahine sinking?
Appreciate any help
Thanks
Kevin |
Martin Owen Cahill
Member
Username: martin
Post Number: 421
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Monday, January 1, 2007 - 7:21 am: | |
Kevin,
Where abouts are you in the world?
Martin
"These were not designed to float upside down,"
- Richard dreyfuss |
Kevin McCormick
Member
Username: kev
Post Number: 4
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 30, 2007 - 11:16 pm: | |
Hello Martin
I'm based in Melbourne - I do get across to NZ frequently though
Cheers
Kevin |
Martin Owen Cahill
Member
Username: martin
Post Number: 437
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Friday, March 2, 2007 - 11:50 pm: | |
Kevin,
If you like I can can keep an eye out and see if I can pick up a second hand copy for you.
If you are happy w/ that please advise either here or by PM.
Martin
"No Sir, We just hit the cruiser"
helmsman on Queen Mary
|
Raechel Hunt
Member
Username: wahinedisaster1
Post Number: 1
Registered: 3-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, March 24, 2007 - 2:53 am: | |
I am researching the Wahine Ferry Disaster.
My three focus questions are:
1. What was the backround and cause of the disaster?
2. What happened during the disaster?
3. What were the consequences of the disaster for the people involved?
Have you got any memories or recollections you could share with me?
Have you got any newspaper clippings or articles you could photo copy and send to me?
Do you know any one i could contact and interview about this disaster?
Do you know of anyone in or around dunedin i could meet with and discuss this disaster?
My email address is: bevstephen@xtra.co.nz
My postal address is: Raechel Hunt, 19 Stirling Crescent, Mosgiel, Dunedin.
Thank you
Raechel Hunt |
Kevin McCormick
Member
Username: kev
Post Number: 5
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Monday, May 14, 2007 - 5:06 am: | |
Thanks Martin
That would be great and appreciated very much. My email is kevin.mccormick@bendigobank.com.au and as soon as you advise cost etc I will immediately do a bank transfer. Again I appreciate your assistance |
Alyssa Grindley
Member
Username: alyssa
Post Number: 1
Registered: 5-2007
| | Posted on Monday, May 28, 2007 - 5:46 am: | |
Hey I'm doing a research topic on the Wahine and was wondering if you knew of anyone in the Chch area who would be able to help me with stories etc? I have to find a lot of different sources for this topic such as newspapers, survivor stories, internet sites etc. Do you have anything that could help me?
Thanks
Alyssa |
US $23.99 
