The Ferry Wahine ran aground in a gale in Wellington Harbour in 1968.

Aboard that day were over 700 people. Of those, 51 lost their lives. 

There would have been many more lost had it not been for the heroic efforts of passengers and crew, including Stan Spiers, 7th engineer on that day.

Stan was on his last shift on the Wahine before planning to return home to Port Chalmers, Dunedin. 

8 hours after Stan started his shift, the Wahine was laying on her side and passengers and crew were in the freezing waters of Wellington Harbour.

This was the worst fear of any ship's captain, crew or passenger's.

Stan joins us at Portobello Museum and tells us of his experience that day, in this special and one off event.

To go to the event, we depart by ferry from Port Chalmers on two scheduled ferry crossings, returning approx 3 hours later.

If joining from Portobello you can either cross (for fun on a Mini Tour ) on this day, or keep your return ferry tickets for another day instead.

OR you can book under $25 tickets to meet just for the talk and museum entry, without the ferry.

Otherwise ferry tickets are included in your ticket price, for $50 options.

Before and after the talk there will be some time to explore the museum and talk to the museum volunteers.

Here, at the Portobello Museum, there are relics of local shipwrecks and many other things to learn about and see.

There will also an engine 'crank up' so you can hear and feel the old engines, kept at the museum, start and run. 

On the ferry crossing you will receive a full commentary on the way and we will see and learn about local Otago Harbour ferry disasters and we will see two old and historic local ferries from the early 1900's.

 If you join from Portobello you can either use your ferry tickets on this day for a Mini Tour or Ferry, or keep them for another day instead.

If joining from Port Chalmers, please be aware that there is a walk of approx 500 metres on flat and paved ground to get to the museum talk from the jetty, at Portobello. And again to return after the ferry after the event.

So a little bit of physical ability is required. There are also some small steps to climb at the museum to access some areas. So if you have limited physical abilities,  joining the event from Portobello may be the best option.

FERRY DEPARTURE TIMES from Port Chalmers to go to the event.

Departs from back Beach at:

9:30am

and 

9:50am

Departure at 12:15pm and 12:30pm to return to Port Chalmers.

If joining from Portobello, please write this in your notes, so we know where to expect you.

We meet at the Portobello Museum at 9:45am for those not including the boat option ($25)

You will be sent instructions to remind you exactly where and what time to meet us and any other info, before the date. 

There is parking nearby the museum.

Meet at Portobello and add the Mini Tour option ($50 tickets)

Or if you would like to also join a Mini Harbour tour on this day ($50 tickets)  we can do that at 12:15pm, 12:30pm or 3:15pm. Or if you'd like to keep your ferry tickets for another day instead. If doing a Mini tour on this day

Its 25 minutes in duration, finishing again at the same place you depart from, 837 Portobello Road:)

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL

Limited numbers

Feel free to bring your own snacks and/or a thermos with a hot drink.

There are bathroom facilities available at the museum.