Story: Floods

Crossing the Waimakariri River

Crossing the Waimakariri River

This engraving, made in 1875, shows a Cobb and Company coach crossing the Waimakariri River, Canterbury, during a flood. The ferryman, wearing a lifebelt, is showing the coachman the way. Although the horses could swim, it was not uncommon for coaches to be overturned in such crossings.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Making New Zealand Centennial Collection (PAColl-3060)
Reference: MNZ-0643-1/4; F
Engraving by unidentified artist

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Eileen McSaveney, 'Floods - New Zealand’s number one hazard', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/4870/crossing-the-waimakariri-river (accessed 5 December 2023)

Story by Eileen McSaveney, published 12 Jun 2006, reviewed & revised 1 Aug 2017