Wahine
The Wahine was a twin-screw, turbo electric passenger and vehicle ferry that operated the inter-island route between Wellington and Lyttelton.
On 10 Arpil 1968 in one of biggest storms in history she foundered on Barrett Reef and capsized at the mouth of Wellington Harbour. Of the 610 passengers and 123 crew, 53 were killed.
Although it was not New Zealand’s worst disaster at sea it took place where it could be seen from shore in the eastern suburbs and was captured live by radio and television. It therefore holds a particularly poignant place in our maritime history.
There are several memorials to the disaster around Wellington Harbour. This one is the recovered fore-mast of the ship which has been erected in Frank Kitts Park.
Middleton Road 