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Kōrero: 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.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

South Canterbury Museum

Reference: 0840

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Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

John Wilson, South Canterbury region – Timaru and its port, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/11393/timarus-rocket-brigade (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā John Wilson, i tāngia i te 2 March 2009, updated 1 February 2017.

Comments

Rosalie Cheyne
03 January 2012
I am wondering if you have information regarding the gentlemen in the photograph of The Rocket Brigade. I have a similar photograph at home and one of the men in the centre of the photo is my great grandfather, but I would like to obtain more (and hopefully specific) information. I believe there are still descendants of the Davis family living in the Dunedin area. Thanks. Rosalie Cheyne