1800s shipwreck moved to new home

A schooner which came to grief while sailing from Taranaki to Manukau more than 150 years ago has been given a new temporary home.

On February 21, 1865, the Daring was grounded on Auckland’s Muriwai beach during a fierce gale.

First-time skipper Captain Phipps had mistaken Manukau Heads for Waikato Heads and intentionally beached the vessel to save his life and the lives of his crew. All were saved.

The uninsured schooner, which had left Taranaki on February 17 carrying 175 bags of grass seed, was buried until shifting sands brought it to light in 2018.

In December of that year, the wreck was dug out by volunteer group Daring Rescue Team over five days.

This week the wooden vessel was placed outside Mangawhai Museum, where it will sit for three years while undergoing restoration. Historical items found with the wreck included shoes, bottles, tools and a Freemasons neckerchief. Daring Rescue Team’s Larry Paul said volunteers would start the search for a permanent home.

About 100 people showed up to a short ceremony to bless the ship’s arrival on Tuesday, with a karakia and a piper blessing.

Marking the sponsorship announcement are, back row from left, Mareko Tuhaka (Raukaura), Mechaela Major (Inglewood), Dean File (GM Bayleys Taranaki), Brooke Neilson (Tysons East) and Nikita Roberts (Stratford/ Eltham). In the front row are Grace Kelly (Tukapa), Mishka Rosa (The Locals), Shayzaria Pirini (Bell Block), Khiara Smith (Inglewood High School), and Kate Baxter (NPOB).

ELEVATED MEDIA/HAMMERHEAD VISUALS The vessel has a permit to stay outside Mangawhai Museum for the next three years while it gets restored.

The schooner lay buried until shifting sands brought it to light in 2018.