Story: Shipwrecks

The Wahine on its side

In the early afternoon, as this television clip shows, the Wahine dramatically turned on its side. Lifeboats on one side could not be launched. A number of passengers were unable to find a space in those lifeboats, nor were they picked up by other boats. They were washed eastwards towards Eastbourne. 51 people died that day, another died several weeks later and a 53rd victim died in 1990 from injuries sustained in the wreck.

Using this item

TVNZ Television New Zealand

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Gerard Hutching, 'Shipwrecks - 20th-century shipwrecks', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/video/7301/the-wahine-on-its-side (accessed 30 March 2024)

Story by Gerard Hutching, published 12 Jun 2006