SS Lawrence Shipwreck 1891 Mokihinui

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DescriptionSS Lawrence Shipwreck 1891 Mokihinui

Originally called 'Bortonious', the SS Lawrence was a 160′ long two-masted twin-screw iron steamer. She was built in 1884 by Kish, Boolds & Co. of Sunderland, England, and launched originally as Bortonius. The following year, coal was discovered in the tiny west coast hamlet of Mokihinui, and the Mokihinui Coal Company was established. They soon found a second coal seam even larger than the first, and in 1889 the flourishing business purchased the Lawrence. Good fortune continued to smile on the young company, and in early 1891 they won a contract to supply coal to the NZ Railways.
Unfortunately good fortune was feeling less benevolent on Tuesday, April 28, 1891. From the up-river wharf where the Mokihinui Coal Co.’s one-mile tramway delivered the coal from the mines, the Lawrence set sail at about 12 noon. She became lodged in the sandbar at the river mouth, managed to break free, but owing to her damaged propeller blades she then drifted inevitably onto the beach. The next day she broke her back in heavy weather and was declared a total loss. As the Lawrence was their only ship, the Mokihinui Coal Co. were subsequently forced to hand over their newly acquired rail contract to the Grey Valley Coal Company.

In 1935 a ship’s bell was found near Westport, about 40km south of the Mokihinui River, but at first no-one recognised the name inscribed: Bortonious.

The remains of the Lawrence are here.Date of PhotoBetween 1st January 1891 and 31st December 1935Map^[1]ContributorYoung Geologists New Zealand

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Location (city or town)MokihinuiEventSS Lawrence ShipwreckShipwreck remnantsBell from shipwreckBortonious ship

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Category TagShipping

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