Reports on the Wahine disaster

Rights Information
Year
1968
Reference
25189
Media type
Audio
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Rights Information
Year
1968
Reference
25189
Media type
Audio
Duration
00:04:25
Credits
RNZ Collection
Balantine-Scott, Nadoo, Newsreader

This recording contains three voice reports supplied to overseas radio stations by Nadoo Balantine Scott, following the sinking of the Lyttelton–Wellington ferry "Wahine" on 10 April 1968 during a powerful storm.

The first report describes the night of the disaster, with bodies still being washed ashore. Survivors describe confusion as passengers were unsure which side of the ferry was 'starboard' when told to evacuate.

The second report gives details of the bodies of several children being brought ashore and search work continuing the day after the sinking. There are 42 known dead but the original passenger list may contain names of passengers who decided not to make the trip.

In the third report, police frogmen have made an underwater search of the sunken ferry after tapping was heard from inside the hull, but they do not believe anyone is trapped. The death toll is now at 46 but a complete list is still to be compiled.