The ship Gael,unloading materials for the construction of a sawmill at Okuru.1936.

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DescriptionThe vessel moored as close as possible to the bank of the Okuru River when the tide was full.After the tide receded,tram lines were laid in position, leading to the ships side,and the material was unloaded and removed on a trauck hauled by a tractor.Date of Photo1936Map^[1]ContributorTom Hartill

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Location (city or town)OkuruOrganisation (eg business) GaelEventThe ship Gael,unloading materials for the construction of a sawmill at Okuru.1936.

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Category TagShippingForestry

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Date Created26th August 2021CommentsPeter Robertson
There won't be many who remember the Gael unloading.In the 1940's(when I remember) the Gael did unload at Okuru, but it docked on the South side of the Turnbull. There was(and still is) one entrance to the Hapuka, Turnbull and Okuru. I think earlier it may have unloaded on the Okuru but before I remember.

Shona Ratana
Great planning needed here? Maybe we could encourage and advise Auckland ports on the how to do it/??

Harold Lee
I am sure I remember the Gael being loaded with live cattle at hokitika from a truck driven by my late Dad. Must have been middle 40s.

Pete Lusk
That’s how it was done. Similar method for the wee loco rescued from Buller river and now in storage.

Liz Stewart
Incredible really!! Dinny Nolan travelled by sea to London to buy the machinery needed to set up the mill at Okuru. Where there's a will there's a way. Dinny also established a whitebait cannery alongside the timber mill with equipment purchased on a similar trip to London. I have seen a photo of a live Hereford bull being winched out of a ship, not sure if it was the Gael, down at Jacksons Bay. The timber mill was very successful and the family went on to build there houses up the Okuru. Thanks for the photos! Amazing history.Faye York
Is this the same Gael that ran ashore on Hunts Beach. My father was on board at the time.

Peter Robertson
Faye York That was the Elsie. My uncle was 8 and on board also.

Faye York
Peter Robertson Thanks for that. You are correct. My father was a schoolboy also I think.

Peter Robertson
Faye York Who was your father???

Faye York
Peter Robertson Sam Roberts

Peter Robertson
Faye York He helped my uncle off the boat. He was about 15 I believe. Our family always knew him after that

Allan Davidson
My father (Hector) crewed on the Gael, probably in the early 1930s during the Depression when people were laid off at Davidson's Foundry. In his eighties he recalled suffering from diesel poisoning and having water come into his bunk! I don't think he enjoyed working on a coastal workhorse like the Gael.
Liz Stewart
Yes I can imagine how hard they had to work! Extreme!
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Karen Davidson
Jack Gugich also was on the Gael at the same time. Dad had to cut a fish hook out of his hand Mr Gugich’s. a pastime was to trawl for barracudas using a red rag on a hoodk for a lure Dad told me

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The ship Gael,unloading materials for the construction of a sawmill at Okuru.1936.

Editing is temporarily disabled