The Wahine Disaster
It happened April 10 1968,
Just before the storm struck the Wahine had turned 30 degrees off her correct course so that she was lying almost beam-onto the approach of the storm's winds and seas. The wahine dropped on its side wehn it hit a rock.
The sinking of the Lyttelton–Wellington ferry Wahine on 10 April 1968 was New Zealand’s worst maritime disaster. Fifty-one people lost their lives that day, another died several weeks later and a 53rd victim died in 1990 from injuries sustained in the wreck. The Wahine’s end also as images of the disaster were beamed into the nation’s living rooms. The footage was later screened around the world as the international media spotlight focused on Wellington.
51 people died in the accident out of 735 people. It has been 40 years since the disaster.There were only 4 lifeboats for all 735 people.There were 183 people on one boat.
On April 10th 1968 the Lyttelton–Wellington ferry Wahine ran aground and sank at the entrance to Wellington Harbour. 53 people died as a result of the accident 51 on the day.
It could be so impossible that so many lives were lost so close to shore. Shipwreck were common place in 19th century but this was the 1960s how could a large modern vessel founder was almost in sight of New Zealand capital city.
For 30 minutes the Wahine fought the waves, as Robertson apparently attempted to turn his ship back out to sea in poor visibility. At about 6.35 a.m., unaware of his location, the captain ordered full astern. At 6.40 a.m. the vessel reversed onto Barrett Reef. The starboard propeller was knocked off, and the port engine stopped shortly after. Initially many of the passengers were unaware of what was happening due to the ferocious battering the ship was receiving from the storm.
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