Eagle's Kaiapoi
Views of the Town and the River by Isaac Nickles Eagle
from the collection of Laurence Eagle.






Beach Road, Kaiapoi















The River
 
 The s. s. Wootton at Kaiapoi photographed by Isaac Nickles Eagle

The new steamer Wootton, which was recently purchased in Sydney by Captain S. Willis, for the newly formed Kaiapoi Steam Navigation Company, arrived [at the Port of Lyttelton] on Sunday morning, and anchored in the stream at 11.40 a.m. After inspection by the Port Health the vessel came in to a berth at the Gladstone pier in the afternoon. Captain J. Rennie, formerly of the schooner Falcon, who is in command, reports reports that the Wootton left Sydney at 6 p.m. on Friday, 13th inst., and had a fine run across to Cape Farewell, which was passed at 11 a.m. on Friday last. Strong northerly winds were experienced thence to Cape Campbell, which was abeam at 2 p.m. on Saturday. At 6 o'clock on Sunday morning a strong southerly gale was met with which lasted until arrival.

Captain Rennie states that the vessel steamed well, and proved herself good sea boat. The vessel left Sydney with about 120 tons of coal on board, which was used as bunker coal.

The Wootton is a neat looking wooden ketch-rigged steamer, and, is very similar in appearance to the Defender and the Baden Powell. She is of 151 tons gross and 90 tons net register, her dimensions being:— Length, 109 feet; beam, 24 feet; depth of hold, 7.4 feet. She was built in 1900 by Mr H. Miles, of Cape Hawke, New South Wales, and was owned up till recently by Mr A. Taylor, of Sydney, from whom she was purchased on account of the Kaiapoi Shipping and Trading Company. 
 
The vessel is fitted with compound engines of 33 R.H.P., built by Chapman and Co of Sydney. Comfortable quarters for the officers and crew are provided, while the vessel is fitted with, electric light and appliances for the quick handling of cargo. The vessel received a thorough overhaul before leaving Sydney. She will carry 150 tons of cargo on a draught of 7 feet, and should prove herself a suitable vessel for the Kaiapoi river trade, in which she will be employed by her new owners. The Wootton sailed yesterday afternoon for Kaiapoi.
Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12438, 27 February 1906, Page 6
 
 
 The s. s. Wootton photographed by Isaac Nickles Eagle

 
...The last vessel to trade up the river was the Wootton, on May 9, 1924.
Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20819, 31 March 1933, Page 8 

After many years of active service on the New Zealand coast, the s.s. Wootton was towed by a launch to Diamond Harbour on Saturday morning. She has purchased by Mr Rhind to serve as a house boat there.
Star (Christchurch), Issue 18252, 5 September 1927, Page 4
 
 
On February 16th, 1929, the Naval Reserve commenced a course of training on the S.S. Wootton anchored in Rapaki Bay. On June 24th, 1931, a severe gale drove the S.S. Wootton ashore alongside the jetty. Both were severely damaged, and the vessel ever since has done duty as a houseboat.
Lore and History of the South Island Maori, W. A. Taylor, Bascands Ltd, Christchurch 
 
 
Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20273, 26 June 1931, Page 13
 
 
 ... the s.s. Wootton, which now lies piled up on the beach at Rapaki...
Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20569, 21 March 1935, Page 2
 
  



  
 
 

 
 










 
Kaiapoi Bridge 
opened 30 October 1885
 

 
 
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 














Suspension Bridge Kaiapoi



 



 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 







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