Quail Island wrecks arouse interest

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33218, 7 May 1973, Page 15

Quail Island wrecks arouse interest

Qudl blind In Lyttelton Harbour Is today peacefully firmed, but It has been a leper Island and quarantine station. Its coastline and beach Is ever a source of Interest to smallboat owners and holiday visitors.

What intrigues visitor* most are the remains of small craft—not strictly wrecks—that have been dumped there. Two correspondents. S.W.MeM.. and DJ.Cl, of Christchurch, have asked about these wrecks. A list compiled bv a 76-vear-old Christchurch man, Mr C. G Balfour, a former seaman and soldier, should prove helpful. There are few Lyttelton residents who do not know “Jim” Balfour and his launch Isa Lei. tn which he regularly explores the harbour as a hobbv and absorbing interest. The remains include those of a ketch (Flying Squirrel), steam launches 'Waiwera and Lyttelton'. a paddle steamer (Novelty), barges (Dorset and Don), and lighters 'Red Jacket, and Queen). There are also a steamer iMulIqgh), barques (Belle Isle La rtata, and Frank Guy. and the noted Darra). This list might not be complete, but at least it is an attempt to satisfy many curious port visitors and yachtsmen. There are many other wrecks around Lyttelton Harbour, but it to Quail Island which seems to arouse most interest. A complete list would fill much space. D.J.C.L. has also asked how sheep get ashore from Quail Island. They walk. At dead low water, sheep can walk from Quail Island, a short distance to Pott’s Peninsula on the mainland. It is a “one-way" journey for them, unfortunately, proposals have frequently been made to construct a causeway from Pott’s Peninsula, through Quail Island and Shag Reef to West Lyttelton, linking with the road tunnel. Reclamation west of Quail Island, into Governor’s Bay has also been mooted for industrial or residential settlement. It will probably never come. Quail Island’s attractive little beach Is a favourite spot for old and young. It is secluded, idyllic and unspoilt so far. But those who love it best express concern that a form of aquatic vandalism, such as bottle smashing on rocks, is not unknown.

Quail Island is also remembered by older Lyttelton residents for something else. It was once an island base for Scott, of Antarctic fame. He kept his horses and huskies thee. * * #

ARRIVALS Saturday Rangatlra (6.43 a.m.), 9387, Capt. J. D, Cleaver, Wellington (U.S.S.). Soochow (8.10 a.m.), 8077, Capt. J. Paisley. Nelson (P and O (N.Z.) Ltd).

Sunday Rangatlra (6.45 a.m.), 9387, Capt. J •“■ weaver, Wellington (U.S.S.). , Holmlea (7.8 a.m.j, 1053, Capt. ;D. Hemgan, Wellington (U.S.S.). Japan Kauri (8.10 a.m.), 6996, | CaP‘- ( S. Yasumi, Wellington , Mosor (8.58 a.m.), 8190, Capt. ! Damir Prancic. Dunedin (Kinsey). Lnlon Trans-Tasman <9.30 a.m.). . ;A|' S , Capt. R. Luly, Dunedin ;_Jtraat Colombo (11.18 a.m.), 's®®- Capt. H. Muys, Nelson ; (Guthrey). DEPARTURES „ Saturday Rangatlra (9.30 a.m.), 9387, Capt D ,-. C j cav er, Wellington (t'.S.S.) (daylight). Kina (5.38 p.m.), 8374, Capt. N. I. Ladeross, Dunedin (N.S.S.) Sunday Rangatlra <8.35 p.m.), 9387, (U S I S ?’ D ’ Cleaver - w *U>«>Bton EXPECTED ARRIVALS Wanaka, Auckland, today. Kangaura. Wellington. May 8. Hmakura, Wellington. May 9 Parkhomenko. Auckland, May 9. Woosung Wellington. May 11. Moanui, Tauranga, May 11 Hopchong. Nauru. May 12 Torrens. Wellington, May‘l2. i Hawea, Melbourne, May 13. Bengal Maru, Townsville; May 14.1 Montreal Star. Auckland, May 14. Bayernstein, Wellington, May 19. Border Chieftain, Marsden Point, May 19. Maritime Explorer. Wellington. May 19. Union Aotearoa. Wellington, May Luka Botic, Auckland. May 20. Cumberland, Liverpool, May 21. British Fern. Auckland, May 22. Kashima Maru, Nauru, May 22. Canopic, West Indies, May 23. Cap Vilano, Timaru, May 24. Hupeh. Napier, May 24. Maheno. Wellington, May 25. Neder Linge. Nelson. May 29. Dawn Grandeur, Wellington, June

PROJECTED DEPARTURES Holmlea, Wellington, today. Cedric. New Plymouth, today. Holmdale, Wellington, today. Wanaka, Dunedin, today. Agano Maru. Bluff, today Soochow, Tauranga, May 8. Haparangi, Bluff. May 8. Prima Maru, Dunedin, May 8 Rangatlra, Wellington. May 8 'daylight). Mosor, Australia, May 9. Straat Colombo Tauranga, May 9. Union Trans Tasman, Nelson, May 9. Hinakura, Dunedin. May 10. Japan Kauri. Dunedin. May 10. Parkhomenko, —, May 10. Moanui. Auckland, May 11. Torrens, Dunedin. May 14. Hawea, Dunedin, May 15. Montreal Star. Wellington. May 15.