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Story: Nelson region

Delaware crew rescue: the wreck

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<em>Delaware</em> crew rescue: the wreck

The brigantine Delaware, wrecked at Wakapuaka on 4 September 1863, is depicted in this engraving. Local Māori, led by Hūria Mātenga, rescued all but one of the crew. The ship had left Nelson for Napier the night before and been driven onto rocks during a storm.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Frederick Nelson Jones Collection (PAColl-3051)

Reference: 1/1-002018-G

by Frederick Nelson Jones

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

Carl Walrond, Nelson region – Sea and air transport and communications, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/28830/delaware-crew-rescue-the-wreck (accessed 23 June 2026).

Story by Carl Walrond, published 3 September 2010, updated 1 August 2015.