Story: South Canterbury region

Timaru’s rocket brigade

Timaru’s rocket brigade

The increasing number of shipwrecks off Timaru's coast led to the purchase of lifesaving equipment. The 'Rocket Life-saving Boxer' would fire a line over a stricken ship. The line had a heavier rope with a tail-block and pulley attached. This was secured to the ship and a breeches buoy could then be hauled between the ship and shore. Here the Rocket Brigade poses with the equipment below the Caroline Bay cliffs in the early- to mid-1880s. The equipment was used to save 100 lives.

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South Canterbury Museum
Reference: 0840

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How to cite this page:

John Wilson, 'South Canterbury region - Timaru and its port', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/11393/timarus-rocket-brigade (accessed 30 March 2024)

Story by John Wilson, updated 1 Feb 2017