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Kōrero: Shipbuilding

Remains of the Platypus

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Remains of the <em>Platypus</em>

The Platypus was an iron-plate submarine, over 10 metres long. It was built by a Dunedin ironworks in 1873 to mine for underwater gold. However, trouble during the second trial threatened the viability of the project. Fifty years later, after rusting on the wharf, the submarine was cut into three parts. The two front parts, pictured here, are now held at the Strath Taieri Historical Museum in Middlemarch, Otago.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Strath Taieri Historical Museum

by G. Brett

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Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Gavin McLean, Shipbuilding – The iron and steel era, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/5498/remains-of-the-platypus (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Gavin McLean, i tāngia i te 2 March 2009, updated 1 July 2015.