Story: Freight and warehousing

Shallow-water freight

Shallow-water freight

Scows were simple sailing barges, developed for use in the shallow, muddy harbours of northern New Zealand. Flat-bottomed, they could be run onto a beach or could sit on the seabed at low tide for loading, then be floated off at high tide. Large numbers were used in the Northland timber trade. This is the Kauri heading past Craig’s yard in Auckland in 1904, her decks piled high with massive logs. Her sea-going days ended in 1910.

Using this item

Auckland City Libraries – Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero
Reference: 1-W1147
Photograph by Henry Winkelmann

Permission of Auckland City Libraries Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Matthew Wright and Megan Cook , 'Freight and warehousing - Shipping: the coastal trade', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/23448/shallow-water-freight (accessed 25 April 2024)

Story by Matthew Wright and Megan Cook , published 11 Mar 2010