Story: Historic earthquakes

Plans for Wellington in 1841 (1st of 2)

Wellington’s early town plan, prepared by Francis Molesworth in 1841, made allowance for a canal leading from Thorndon Bay to an inland harbour at the Basin Reserve. This was abandoned after the 1855 earthquake lifted up the land. The Basin Reserve is now a cricket ground.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: MapColl-832.4799gbbd/1841/Acc.16266

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, 'Historic earthquakes - The 1855 Wairarapa earthquake', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/zoomify/4438/plans-for-wellington-in-1841 (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Eileen McSaveney, published 12 Jun 2006, reviewed & revised 28 Mar 2011, updated 1 Nov 2017