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Story: Castaways

Rescue float

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Rescue float

The General Grant survivors made miniature boats out of spar wood. They had a keel and a sail and were carved with the words ‘Want relief’ and the details of their location. Two of these floats were dispatched and the third, pictured here, was about to be sent off when help arrived. This float is now part of the Southland Museum collection.

Using this item

Private collection

Reference: CF495A

by Conon Fraser

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.

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How to cite this page

Ken Scadden, Castaways – Survival, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/7572/rescue-float (accessed 25 June 2026).

Story by Ken Scadden, published 2 March 2009.