Little Wanganui Wharf about 1931.

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DescriptionThe "Kotiti" and the "Fairburn" are moored at the wharf in the photo.

Little is known regarding the early use of the Little Wanganui harbour. In the 1890's, the "wharf" consisted of a single pile in the middle of the river, with goods being ferried off by small boat.
About 1900, the wharf proper was built, & was improved on when timber began to be exported.
For some time in the 1890's, Christen Rasmussen, who owned the accommodation house & adjacent farm at the mouth of the river, was in charge of the signal station. About 1903, Harry Simpson took over all 3, & was succeeded as Signalman by his son Bert in 1918.
By the early 1900's, boats were calling in monthly, bringing supplies from Baillies, Taylor & Enrights, & Greens, merchants from Westport, & then continuing on to Karamea where they would backload butter, timber & flax.

In 1952, the port of Little Wanganui was officially closed & the wharf dismantled.
In 1963, the "Kohi" made 3 trips to New Plymouth with sawn rimu, loaded from a rebuilt wharf, but the shipping of timber proved uneconomic because of the delays in waiting for tides.Date of Photoabout 1931.Map^[1]ContributorClaire Ward

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Location (city or town)Little WanganuiPersonHarry SimpsonChristen RasmussenBert Simpson

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Category TaghistoryShipping

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Little Wanganui Wharf about 1931.

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