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THE NEW ZEALAND MARITIME RECORD
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The twin screw steam tug Lyttelton of 1907 enquiries for public excursions or charters
Built: 1907 by the four Ferguson Brothers in the Newark Shipyard at Port Glasgow ![]() The latter part of 1907 was a memorable time to be at Lyttelton, the port of the city of Christchurch on New Zealand's South Island. Dr Hammersley imported the first pair of Belgian Barge dogs, Sir Ernest Shackleton arrived on the Nimrod from London via Cape Town and the port's largest ever crowd; some fifty thousand came down to see him depart on his epic voyage to Antarctica. On the 11th September The Lyttelton Harbour Board took delivery of it's new tug, which had made the twelve thousand mile voyage from the Clyde under her own steam.
![]() Nearly a century later, the Canterbury, subsequently renamed Lyttelton after her contemporary sister, can still be found docked at the No. 2 Wharf opposite Norwich Quay. She was retired from service in 1970 and in the absence of an immediate buyer, the Tug Lyttelton Preservation Society was formed and took over the preservation of the vessel at the end of 1972. A year of hard work was needed to re-commission the ship and many fund raising projects were required to buy the extra equipment necessary to obtain a New Zealand Marine Department Passenger Survey Certificate. She commenced her new role as a passenger vessel late in 1973 and it is hoped that she will continue to display a part of the historic past for many years to come.
![]() This beautiful vessel is lovingly maintained in full working order by an impassioned bunch of volunteers. Museum exhibits occupy the captain's cabin, officers' quarters, saloon and other cabins. The engine room is particularly impressive: all polished Brass and oily pistons, it was at the cutting edge of technology in its heyday, with steam power assisted steering.
![]() The Second World War During this period she made a number of major sea voyages. In January 1943 the vessel went to Bluff at the Southern most point on the island and returned to Lyttelton on the 23rd with the former government steam yacht Hinemoa of 1875. Nineteen months later she would tow the stripped hulk to a point 60 miles North-East of Lyttelton, where the Hinemoa was sunk by explosive charges in 120 fathoms. ![]() 11th September 1982: 75th anniversary re-enactment of the completion of her maiden voyage. The ship is the China Navigation Company's Kweichow, on her last voyage to New Zealand. Public excursions
Throughout the summer season, usually from December to April or May, the Society operates a Sunday afternoon harbour cruise to the Lyttelton Heads. During the cruise, she calls at all the bays and points of interest. There is a full commentary telling of the history and interesting features of the harbour and surrounding areas.
![]() Charter sailings The Lyttelton is available for charter from approximately September to June for one hour up to a full day of eight hours. A three hour charter allows a visit to Port Levy while six hours would take in Little Akaloa. Trips can also extend North along the coast as far as the Waimakariri River mouth. Able to accommodate 120 passengers, she is popular for parties and weddings receptions, etc.
![]() ![]() Tug Lyttelton Preservation Society The tug is maintained and operated by fully qualified and competent Society members as well as by other Society members who have been able to gain experience in seafaring ways through their membership in the Society. Each year she has to undergo a very stringent survey by Marine Department Surveyors to obtain the passenger certificate necessary for us to operate.
![]() ![]() Bi-annual surveys; June 1999 and July 2001 with her shafts drawn Finance for maintenance and running expenses amounts to many thousands of dollars each year and these are raised solely by the money received from passenger fares and charter trips plus a small amount in membership subscriptions.
![]() Postage labels issued by the society in 1990.
All enquiries for public excursions or charters of the tug LYTTELTON can be made to: Tug Lyttelton Preservation Society Phone: +64 3 379 1973 or +64 3 322 8911
Acknowledgements Thanks to the Banks Peninsula District Council and Steven McLachlan (specialist in Maritime Covers) for many of the images and Marcus Castell for the research.
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