Whitianga Kingphoto
Bill Clark’s Black Marlin 1947; Ron Morgan as a child on the wharf; The driver of this car tried to book a ticket for her vehicle on the Whitianga Ferry believing it was vehicular ferry.
When visiting any coastal town or city, I am immediately attracted to the waterfront, wharf and marina having a lifelong love of fishing and boats.
Whitianga wharf kindled this love from an early age. Countless hours were spent fishing for sprats and watching the continuous activity on the wharf. I knew off by heart all the bigger vessels and the skipper’s names and eagerly awaited their return at the end of a charter or fishing trip. Listening to their tales shared with fellow skippers was enthralling as a youngster. My range of expletives was broadened somewhat with tales of lost fish and my mother lamented with my priorities as I was not keen on mathematic tables but had to know all the names of the launches.
One vessel that made a lasting impression was the Ngaire skippered by Connie Simmons, who was I believe the first female charter skipper in NZ. Her bearded deckie, Komi, stood at the bow upon returning and made an impressive sight.
Another was the cabin boat Bernadine which is still in Whitianga and in pristine condition. It was the Jet Boat which took folk on scenic tours run by Allan Watson.
The flags flying from the Game Fishing Club indicated a catch and often a large crowd assembled to view the catch and often take a portion home with them. The Game Fishing Club was situated on the wharf as a two storied building. The wharf was constructed using Jarrah a heavy hardwood from Western Australia. Despite having qualities of durability, the piles did become unstable. I remember playing pool and leaving the last ball over the corner pocket and purchasing the customary drinks when a fishing boat berthed and bumped the ball into the pocket. The opposition were not impressed seeing their fortunes reversed. The skipper was rewarded later in the evening.
Many great nights were had in the old building. My Labrador dog Mako was a regular visitor, so much so that someone suggested he become an honorary member. This I did signing him up complete with his own membership card, attached to his collar.
Prior to this, there was a long and colourful history of kauri log exports and associated trade. In later years, a single building used for storage and a marine mechanical business was present. During these years the ferry took passengers under the wharf after loading on the inside steps. There was, I believe, a problem with the crude toilet set up in the building and with the ferry travelling in the same area of discharge.
A regular visitor was the Lady Jocelyn with a range of cargo and passengers which took on butter from the local factory (now the Museum). There were deliveries of fertilizer from a barge and the wind would blow the dust over a wide area near the wharf. This would have upset the super popular Pie Cart which was at the end of the wharf. Their hamburgers were “to die for”.
Historically, some large vessels berthed at the wharf, no doubt dropping ballast rocks prior to entering. Over later years, the Spirit of New Zealand and The Manawanui were notable visitors, the latter making Whitianga its home port.
Some large fishing vessels also have unloaded their catches locally with a large fleet fishing a variety of methods evident over the years. One busy day when the scallop catches were being unloaded, a bin of scallops was dropped overboard. I persuaded my friend to get his dive gear and at least half of the bin was retrieved. Some tourists were most impressed watching scallops being collected under the wharf!
The old Game Fishing Club was also a popular spot for “bombs’ with some courage needed to jump from higher spots! It is great to see an area still available for folk to jump off the wharf which has been a tradition for many years. I believe a rescue tube would be a better option for rescues than a life buoy as a rescuer trying to tow a life buoy and swim would have extreme difficulty compared to a rescue tube.
Many Miss Whitianga contests were a summer attraction on the wharf as was the Annual Regatta which featured a range of aquatic activities. The Cup for the river swim was located some years ago from a garage sale in Wellington and now is one of the trophies for the Mercury Bay Area School ‘Cross the River’ Swim.
Vantage point for viewing memorable activities
The launching of boats from the launching ramp, Orcas in the harbour, Dolphins visiting and the resident dolphins in the 70’s, stock being transported to and from Mercury Island onto the stock trucks from barges, children’s fishing contests, the Tauranga to Whitianga yachts, Box Net boats unloading their catches, viewing fish caught from the wharf as well as those notable game fish catches weighing in. The Black Marlin caught by Bill Clark in 1947 would be the most notable 924 lbs.
John Ellwood in between ferry runs one year, caught an incredible number of John Dory which he gave to folk who were at the right place at the right time. We used to throw stones on the seaward side of a sighted John Dory and managed to drive it ashore where we could flick it out of the water with a stick.
The Information Centre once received a request to book a seat for the Ferry crossing as well as their car (pictured) – assuming the ferry was a vehicular ferry (facebook photo – Lesley Hindmarsh).
The wharf and its surrounds will bring back many varied memories (some sad when loved ones have been ferried across to the cemetery) and others that will reflect the big part it has had in our lives.
It is great to see the recent developments, many safety-related, that will enhance the enjoyment and efficiency that this focal centre will continue to provide for our community.
