NEW FIGUREHEAD
NAVAL BASE COLLECTION BARQUE ROBINA DUNLOP A new figurehead, formerly part of the barque Robina Dunlop, will shortly bo added to tho fine collection linitig tho avenues at the Devonport Naval* Tyise. It has been presented to the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy by Mrs. M. Grant, of Turakina. It is a female figure, carved in wood, and although the vessel from which it came was wrecked 57 years' ago, tho figurehead is still in reasonably good repair. Some expert "restoring" and painting will have to be carried out oil H.M.S. Philomel before the new figure join;; the collection of historic sea relics at the base.
The barque Robina Dunlop was wrecked on Waikanae Beach, at tho mouth of the Turakina River, oil August 14, 1877. She was a vessel of 493 tons, owned by the Shaw, Saviil Company, and arrived at Wellington from England on July 16 after a passage of 116 days. After landing passengers and discharging cargo at Wellington, she left on August 13—a case of superstition being almost justified—for Batavia in ballast. Early next morning she stranded on the beach, which is about 100 miles from Wellington, between Wanganui and Rangitikei, and became a total wreck.
The master. Captain J. Gftaham, and his crew of 13, 'succeeded in reaching shore alive and, after walking several miles, reached a Maori settlement, where they were kindly received by the natives. In return for his hospitality, Captain Graham presented the Maori chief with the wreck as it lay on tho beach. It is not known whether tho Maoris kept the figurehead for any length of time.
On her previous voyage from London to Auckland, the Robina Dunlop had been in difficulties when nearing tlm New Zealand coast. She suddenly encountered a < fierce hurricane, which raged for 36 hours, during which time the ship was hove to. Sails had to b» cut away to save the ship, and considerable damage was caused before tho storm abated and the yessel was able to make for port.
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21807, 23 May 1934, Page 9
Word Count
339NEW FIGUREHEAD New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21807, 23 May 1934, Page 9
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