Dr Ebenezer Teichelmann's expedition south

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DescriptionIn 1908, Teichelmann attempted his toughest annual expedition ever> I quote from my book which is available at aper Plus in Hokitika.
"Doctor Teichelmann departed from Hokitika aboard the small coastal ship, the S.S. Jane Douglas at 8:30pm on 17 January, 1908. This coastal boat ran two monthly trips as far south as Jacksons Bay, delivering mail and supplies to remote communities. After a difficult and tiring year, it must have been a relief for him to have a break from his hectic life as Medical Superintendent.
Aboard he had notes from the diary Charlie Douglas had given him on his trips up the Waiatoto Valley. The following day Teichelmann was moved to write about the land that was so special to him:
“On the way down the coast the steamer is never very far out at sea, and the great mountain ranges forming the Southern Alps present one of the greatest sights imaginable. The Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers are seen falling from the summits of the main range almost down to sea level, passing great rocky peaks, and ending in forest of tropical luxuriance. Prominent among the peaks visible from the sea are Mounts Cook, Tasman, Elie de Beaumont, and Sefton, the latter showing up particularly well.”
Next morning the ship called at Bruce Bay, then Paringa, before spending a night at anchor in Jacksons Bay. The next day Dr Teichelmann disembarked at Okuru, which was some twenty miles from the mouth of the Waiatoto, and the nearest landing spot. Alec Graham and Dennis (Din) Nolan were up the Waiatoto at the time cutting a track. With the help of Matt Nolan, the Doctor used pack horses to carry the expedition's food and equipment from Okuru to Eggeling's old homestead, which served as a campsite, some two and a half miles up the Waiatoto valley. ‘Prettily situated on the bank of the river, it has some good grass paddocks about it, but it is chiefly remarkable for the number and violence of the mosquitoes that infest it
Alec Graham and Din Nolan spent several days cutting a track to within six miles of the Therma Glacier. This is where the river becomes steeper and gorge-infested, the lower 34 miles falling gently through the mountains.
Teichelmann suffered some distress at the state of the track. This was not because of personal discomfort, or even out of concern for the horses. It
was due to his imagination, wondering what was happening to his cameras, strapped to the sides of the horses. Every time a horse tried to force a path between trees, he winced.
At one point the river had to be crossed to avoid some bluffs. A dubious craft of vaguely aquatic construction and Nolan lineage was the only option for ferrying the packs. To postpone an imminent submarine destiny, the obvious holes were caulked with sacking and grass. Scrub and branches were laid in the bilges to try to keep the load above water level. Propulsion was one broken oar, so the Doctor paddled furiously on one side, countered on the other by the swift current. A hasty landing and exit was made just as the packs began to float on the rising contents. Matt Nolan crossed with the horses further down stream. A few days later Teichelmann and Matt Nolan teamed up with Alec and Din at the base camp. Matt then returned home with some of the horses. They were fortunate in having Charlie Douglas's diaries with them for he had expressed regret at having chosen the right bank of the river instead of the left (western bank). Teichelmann's party took Douglas's advice.
When inspecting the equipment Teichelmann had brought, Alec Graham got quite a shock to see the Doctor's supply of cameras and photographic equipment. There was the familiar full plate and small film camera, but in addition to these he had a fairly large Panorama camera and a Stereoscopic, both fairly bulky.
“Do you think there are too many, Alec? You know, Newton is not with us this year and we can play round with them to our heart's content,” said the Doctor.Photographer Ebenezer Teichelmann Date of PhotoBetween 1st January 1908 and 31st December 1908Map^[1]ContributorBob McKerrow

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Location (city or town)OkuruTherma GlacierEventSS Jane DouglasPhotographyDr Teichelmann's expedition south

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LinkFacebookDate Created10th September 2017Comments
Bob McKerrow I have scanned over 300 photos taken by Ebenezer Teichelmann and over 100 appear in my book on him,, Teichelmann, available at Paper Plus in Hokitika. I am happy to keep posting photos ad excerpts from the extensive research I have done on him, the Grahams, West Coast exploration, surveying and many South Westalnd families

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Dr Ebenezer Teichelmann's expedition south

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