Commemorating 175 Years Since the Shipwreck of the HMS Buffalo

Events are coming together for the 175th commemoration of the wreck of the HMS Buffalo in Mercury Bay.

The week-long programme runs from 27 July though to 2 Augustand marks 175 years, since the Buffalo was driven ashore in Whitianga, following a easterly storm on 28 July 1840.

Two crew members died and further deaths were prevented by the quick actions of Captain James Wood, crew and local Maori. Some crew members stayed on and settled in New Zealand.

"The week-long programme of activities will recognise the history of the Buffalo; the loss of two of the crew; the historical importance of the ship’s activities to Whitianga; and the many stories linked to the Buffalo’s journeys," says Ron Morgan, one of the event coordinators.

On Tuesday 28 July there will be the laying of the buoy at the Buffalo Memorial site to mark the start of the Buffalo Week.
Friday 31 July from 2pm - 3.30pm there will be a commemoration afternoon at the Whitianga Town Hall which will be attended by descendants of the Buffalo crew and members of the NZ Navy, British Navy and Canadian High commission will attend formal ceremonies, along with marine and nautical enthusiasts and historians.

"The Buffalo was a store ship for the British navy and during her time was used to transport both goods and, on occasion, convicts from Canada to Australia, which is why there's the connection with the British and Canadians," says Mr Morgan.

On Saturday 1 August there will be an official blessing at the Buffalo Memorial site, followed by a Polar Bear Swim and Sand Castle competition. In the evening there's a Shipwreck Ball.

Can You See the Wreck?

In 1986 a team of maritime archaeologists and volunteer divers led by the South Australian Government’s State Heritage Branch located the wreck site, which is visible today and can be seen from the air at low tide and in clear water conditions.

In 2009 the Deployable Hydrographic Survey Unit of the Royal NZ Navy located the wreck using side-scan sonar and dived on the wreck using snorkels. Much of the wreck has been broken up by storms with the remaining timbers of the hull still in solid condition despite over 150 years in the ocean.

Over the Homecoming Week, the local Glass Bottom Boat will be operating a Buffalo Cruise which is a shortened trip tracing the route the Buffalo travelled in the storm and stopping at the commemorative buoy that will be laid on the day of the beaching.

The trip will also include a harbour, marina and waterways trip .Times of departure will be notified as will other charter operators activities during the week. CONTACT CATHEDRAL COVE SCENIC CRUISES FOR THEIR DEPARTURE TIMES HERE

Other Event Highlights

Captains Dinner - Stewart Pedley a local musician has put music to the historic shanty as published in the booklet HMS Buffalo, The Story of a Ship, and will be performed for the first time at the Captains Dinner Friday 31 July at the Mercury Bay Club. The Mercury Bay Big Band with 16 talented musicians will be featured as well at this function.

Song of the kauri - Film director Mathurin Molgat gives a special presentation of his documentary film “Song of the Kauri”. The Buffalo carried kauri in several of its voyages. The film looks at forestry and kauri wood being handcrafted into musical instruments. The film also challenges us to think can kauri become New Zealand's currency in the new world of green economics.

Song of the kauri has been selected for 9 International Film Festivals, won a prestigious award at the Accolade Film Festival in Hollywood and has screened over 500 times around the world. Mathurin Molgat will be bringing along a violin from the documentary, which will be played on the evening.

Screening: July 29, 5.30pm (at the Mercury Twin Cinemas). Tickets are on sale for $20 including a rolled ice cream from the Mercury Bay Museum. VIEW THE FILM TRAILER HERE.

Informative walks and talks - Locals Noel Hewlett and Lesley Preece have co-ordinated a local walk with a range of attractions along with noted marine historians giving talks, starting with David Langdon’s talk on Scows and Milling on Tuesday at2.00pm.

Suitable for All Ages

Most events are free and have catered for children where possible

The library have promoted word finds and colouring in competitions and a games session on Tuesday and the beach dig and sand castle competitions will cater for the young ones hoping that families may return to join the spirit of homecoming.

For full details go to the official sponsors sites THE INFORMERoand ALL ABOUT WHITIANGA or contact Ron Morgan 07 8660730 or at info@mercurybaymuseum.co.nz.

Our Council is one of the major sponsors of this event along with All About Whitianga, St Andrews Op Shop, the Mercury Bay Museum and Historical Society, /we have also had great support from local businesses including Fun Zone, Cathedral Cove Scenic Cruises, Coromandel FM Whitianga Waterways, Mosaic Art and Gifts Albert St, Countdown and The Lost Spring.

ENDS

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