Perth & Sophia Sts
LN: 2045 CN: 3
1883 - 1885
The Benvenue Memorial is an obelisk constructed in 1883-5 to commemorate the heroic efforts, survivors and deaths in May 1882 in what is remembered of the many shipping calamities of Timaru’s early days as a port. It has historical, social and aesthetic significance or value. It features granite from Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, also used for the pillars in St Mary's Church and headstones at the Timaru Cemetery.
In recognition of the ‘self-sacrificing bravery and daring of scores of men involved in rescue efforts’, it was decided that a monument should be erected to testify such heroism. The citizens of Timaru were very active in contributing funds for the monument. Designs by Engineer T Roberts were prepared and accepted in 1883 and the first part of the memorial, a pedestal, was erected shortly afterwards by local stonemason, S McBride. In July 1885 the granite obelisk arrived from Scotland aboard the ship the Allegiance that carried 700 tons of cargo including machinery for the South Canterbury Refrigerating Works. and the remainder of the memorial was completed the following month. The Memorial has an octagonal base five metres at the bottom, rising by six steps of cut bluestone, with a square pedestal of polished dolerite, just over 2 metres high and 1.5 metres square with paneled sides, molded base and a cornice. Above rises an obelisk of polished red Aberdeen granite, six metres high (the apex being nearly ten metres above the ground level). Let into three of panels on the sides of the pedestal are brass plates bearing the inscriptions explaining the shipwreck event of May 1882, list the names of the nine dead, those who survived, and the captains of the two ships. The siting of the memorial was controversial. A number of people at the time of its construction thought that the ‘wrecks monument’ ought to have been established at the cemetery, rather than at its conspicuous place in the town. - heritage.org.nz/2045
1882 Dickie, John, 1869-1942. The wreck of the ship "Ben Venue". Haylock, Greta Muriel, 1898?-1980 :Photographs. Ref: PA1-q-116-26-3. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22737119
1900. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/692723
The Benvenue Disaster
With the increase in sea trade came an increase in danger and disaster. The sea in this part of the New Zealand coastline was treacherous, with strong swells and sudden, unpredictable changes in the weather. The swells threatened ships anchored offshore, and by the time the Harbour Board was first formed in 1877 more than twenty ships had wrecked around the Timaru Coastline.
Not only did the wrecks threaten lives, cargo and rising insurance premiums, they also hurt Timaru's reputation as a viable export hub. There was a lot of intense debate on whether Timaru should have a port and if it did how it would proceed. There was also a difficult choice on where to anchor ships. They were safer out at sea when a gale picked up, but this made loading and unloading more inefficient
Construction eventually began in 1878 on a breakwater, with 630 ton/400 cubic yards of concrete poured in situ. This original breakwater still stands today, though has been extended and modified over the years.
When disaster struck on May 14 1882, many people reaffirmed their support for the harbour. Nine lives were lost when the Ben Venue and the City of Perth both ran aground in heavy sea swells. All the ships’ cargo was lost in the disaster too, drastically damaging the local industry. The City of Perth was carrying over 5000 sacks of wheat, while the Ben Venue had over 500 tons of coal onboard. While anchored in the bay, huge rollers unexpectedly hit and knocked out anchors on both ships. The Ben Venue drifted first, with the City of Perth running aground and smashing into the Ben Venue shortly after.
Thousands of people had gathered on the shore and watched helpless as the devastation unfolded. Both ships had successfully evacuated with everyone ashore, but regrettably the harbourmaster, Captain Alexander Mills, made the call to attempt to salvage the City of Perth. Once aboard they quickly realized this was a fruitless endeavor. After launching their own lifeboats these too capsized, throwing 40 men into the water.
It wasn’t until the next day that they were able to ascertain how many lives had been lost. Captain Mills was among those who perished, dying from exposure the following day. He had saved many lives over the years that he was harbourmaster and he left behind his wife Margaret (nee Sinclair), four sons, and three daughters.
The calamity of the shipwrecks led to improvements to the breakwater and port safety. Services and parades have been held at the memorial at key anniversaries, notably thirty years after the event in 1912 and the fiftieth anniversary in 1932.
Wrecks monument on the corner of Sophia and Perth Streets, Timaru. Ref: 1/2-005336-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22693351
Shipwreck and Harbour: Timaru’s Maritime Story
Timaru’s coastal history is one of danger, tragedy, and determination. The story of the Benvenue and City of Perth shipwrecks in 1882 is remembered as the darkest chapter in this history, but it also sits alongside the longer effort to build a safe harbour for the growing port town.
The Blackest Day: 14 May 1882
On Sunday 14 May 1882, the worst shipwreck in the Timaru area occurred. The Benvenue and City of Perth, both anchored near shore, were caught in a violent southeast swell that drove them towards land. The crew of the Benvenue abandoned ship and rowed to the City of Perth, but the Benvenue soon drifted onto the rocks below the cliff north of Caroline Bay – a place that still bears the ship’s name.
The City of Perth’s crew attempted to save their vessel but were eventually forced to abandon her as well, rowing through dangerous seas to reach safety. Large crowds of locals lined the cliffs and beaches, anxiously watching the drama unfold.
By the end of the day, nine men were dead. Six of them were Timaru volunteers, including Harbourmaster Captain Alexander Mills, who had tried in vain to rescue the stricken vessels. Their deaths occurred after small rescue craft were swamped and the lifeboat Alexandra capsized three times in the heavy seas.
Photographs from the time show the Benvenue lying on her side beneath the cliff, the City of Perth pressed against her, and crowds of onlookers gathered at the cliff top. The disaster remains Timaru’s blackest day.
The Lifeboat Alexandra
The lifeboat Alexandra, central to the 1882 rescue attempt, later became a familiar sight in Timaru. Images survive of her in parades during the early 1900s. Despite her service, on that fateful day she was overturned three times, adding to the dangers faced by the rescuers.
Calls for a Safe Harbour
Even before the 1882 tragedy, the risks of Timaru’s open roadstead had been recognised. As early as the 1850s, its suitability as a harbour was being considered. Timaru was officially listed as a port of entry for overseas shipping in 1864, and with shipping traffic increasing, calls for a safe harbour grew louder.
In 1870, a small groyne was built to trap drifting shingle and act as a base for further development. However, it quickly failed, overwhelmed by the faster-than-expected build-up of northward-drifting shingle.
Sir John Coode and the Breakwater
In 1874, Sir John Coode, an English engineer, inspected the coastline. Some advocated for a harbour at Milford, near Temuka, but Coode recommended further development at Timaru.
In 1878, Timaru’s harbour engineer, John Goodall, submitted a design. Work began the same year, with a breakwater constructed of concrete blocks and quarried basalt. Unlike the earlier attempt, the new structure avoided the shingle issues that had doomed the groyne.
Construction continued in earnest, lasting well into the century. By the 1880s, two wharves had been added, and in 1890 the north mole was built. By 1888 the harbour was firmly established, with further improvements and extensions following in later years.
Nature’s Role
The harbour works significantly altered the natural flow of sand and shingle. To the south, large shingle banks accumulated, while to the north, sand was deposited along the Caroline Bay frontage, helping to form the popular beach known today. Yet nature also balanced man’s efforts – erosion north of Timaru continues to affect the coastline.
Quarries and Tramways
The material to build the breakwater and other harbour works came from quarries around Timaru. Volcanic basalt was blasted from Marchwiel, Highfield, and Glen-iti, with the largest quarry in what is now Centennial Park.
From these sites, rock was transported by small tramways laid for the purpose. The last of these was the Otipua tramway, which ran up Quarry Road, down Otipua Road, past the cemetery, and to the coast, where it joined the main line to the harbour. This tramway was used until the late 1950s.
The Nielsen Street quarry at Glen-iti closed at the turn of the 20th century, though its remains can still be seen today in Centennial Park reserve.
Legacy
The twin shipwrecks of the Benvenue and City of Perth in 1882 highlighted the urgent need for safer shipping facilities. The deaths of nine men, including Harbourmaster Captain Mills, left a lasting mark on the town’s history.
At the same time, the struggle to create a working harbour at Timaru showed the community’s determination. By the end of the 19th century, through engineering skill and sheer persistence, Timaru had transformed from a dangerous open roadstead into a functioning port – one that shaped the future of South Canterbury.
Above, photo taken by Phil Brownie of the finished the restoration of the lifeboat, it was in the 1999 Christmas parade. In the late 1990s Peter Robson built two sets of wheels for the self launching life boat Alexandra carriage. The lifeboat was at Caroline Bay from 1932 when it was placed there for the 50th anniversary of "Black Sunday. It then went to the Landing Services Building and then to a store at the Botanic Gardens.
It is one of only two of its type in the world and is worth six or seven figures. It can self-right if it capsizes in the sea.
On 18 June 1862 the Canterbury Provincial Secretary wrote to London to order a double-ended 33-foot boat with a six-foot beam, complete with launching carriage and provision for six pulling oars and a steersman. The lifeboat came out to Canterbury on the "Huntress" in 1863. She was used on "Black Sunday", 14 May 1882, when the "City of Perth" and the "Benvenue" were wrecked. During the rescue attempts the Alexandra capsized four times and nine lives were lost. Previous to this she hadn't been used for thirteen years. The first report of a rescue boat being on stand-by at Timaru came from "The Lyttelton Times" which reported in October 1861 that "the lifeboat, stationed at Le Crens," could not be launched except by taking it a mile away. and arrived in Timaru in 1864. It was called 'Alexandra' and the highlight of its long service record was the rescue in 1882 of 43 passengers when two big sailing ships, the City of Perth and the Benvenue, were wrecked. The rescue boat made several rescues, then rolled four times with the loss of ten lives, including seven members of the rescue boat crew. The spirit of courage and selflessness which the 'Alexandra's' crew showed in that storm goes on to this day as rescue boats crewed by volunteers from the far south to the far north of New Zealand risk there lives. Learn more here
Illustrated Australian News (Melbourne, Vic. : 1876 - 1889), Saturday 10 June 1882, page 85 63185597
The Timaru Rocket Brigade posed as if practicing on the rocks below the cliffs on Caroline Bay, circa 1883. Those pictured are (from left to right): Alf Potts, Alf Allan, Arthur H Turnbull (at back), Carl Vogeler (in front), Chris Gruhn, Adamson, Arthur Haylock, George Davies, W Budd, James E S Jackson (First Lieutenant), W Webster (Captain and Harbour Master), John McNab, W J Hughes, and George Shirtcliffe (manning the rocket trough). Note five of the men are wearing what appear to be their Benvenue medals, awarded following that wreck in may 1882. South Canterbury Museum 0847