T.S.S Waverley used as target practice by NZ Army Artillery

[axelford]

When I visited Blenheim a couple years ago I walked to the T.S.S Waverley Wreck at Wairau river mouth. It's a well preserved hulk in my opinion.

Now what does this have to do with the Army? Well what struck me as odd is on it's port side there is a large hole, bent inwards with what appears to be shrapnel damage around it. At the time I didn't think much of it but looking through me photos I suspected it had been used as target practice. Sure enough it's page on Marlborough online and the NZMaritime Site confirmed the Army Artillery had used it as target practice.

Thought it's a cool bit of trivia and a unique way to see 'battle damage' of sorts in New Zealand!

If anyone has any more information on when the target practice occurred or any photos that would be cool!

[davidd]

I think that would be the WAIRAU river mouth. There may be a Wairua river in Northland, but cannot find my favourite book on NZ rivers at the moment, and was confused by what was on-line.

However the "New Zealand Maritime Record" has this to say on the TSS WAVERLEY (note, with the second "e'").

1928, June 14.

Towed from Wellington by the SS WAIRAU to the mouth of the Wairua River, where she was to be sunk to form a breakwater. Before being scuttled, she was swept up the channel in a flood to where she now lies in the Wairau lagoon (7.5 km south east of Blenheim), and subsequently used for target practice by the NZ Army."

As we are all agreed that the wreck is near Blenheim, the Wairua river mentioned in the above reference can be replaced by the Wairau river, despite the confusion of having been towed there by SS WAIRAU (all these mentions of Wairau may have confused the original author!)

[axelford]

Oh sorry about that! Yeah I'll blame the tugs name on the confusion and my lack of proof-reading on the missing 'e'!

[davidd]

Just worried that people might turn up at the wrong river looking for this aged vessel (if it still exists) They would be so disappointed!

[axelford]

Yeah fair enough...with a quick Google it does readily come up. And it will still be there!

[davidd]

Good job.

[lumpy]

Mar 2, 2022 10:11:27 GMT 12 davidd said:

Just worried that people might turn up at the wrong river looking for this aged vessel (if it still exists) They would be so disappointed!

It still exists , in fact is part of a reasonably popular walk way .