Shipwrecks in our waters - The Oscar Robinson
There are many more shipwrecks in the waters surrounding Norfolk Island than is commonly known. One of these lesser known shipwreck stories is that of the Oscar Robinson, a wooden hulled sailing...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Documenting, Researching and Conserving Pitcairn Island’s Material Culture
The Pacific Development and Conservation Trust of New Zealand have confirmed their most generous financial support for our project titled “Documenting, Researching and Conserving Pitcairn Island’s...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Bounty Adventure
Janelle Blucher, Acting Curator of the Norfolk Island Museum is delighted to be a part of The Bounty Adventure Cruise experience on P & O’s cruise liner, Pacific Pearl. P & O's Pacific Pearl...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Norfolk Island Lighters 2015
Norfolk Islander's continue the traditional methods for unloading freight from cargo ships. The island has no 'safe harbour', there are two jetties on opposite sides of the island for the cargo to be...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Progress on the building of the new Lighter
The building of a new lighter - used to unload the cargo ships which visit Norfolk Island - has already commenced and photos were uploaded last week. Work progresses steadily and the frames which hung...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Timbers and Planking
Work on the building of a new lighter continues at the Lighterage Depot with strengthening of the keel as timber is shaped and fitted with accuracy and skill.Glen Williams recalled “..…as soon as...
View ArticleClik here to view.
We Will Remember Them
These photographs are from the World War I Album of Gordon Stuart Watt taken at El Arish and the Sinai. Wattie's service in WWI is detailed as proceeding abroad as No. 13/2628 on the 9th of August 1915...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Steaming and Malleability
The planks for the clinkers and carvels are fitted, removed and shaped with chisels, then softened to enable them to be moulded to the curvature of the lighter from bow to stern. This is done by...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Salvage and Restoration
Building of the new lighter continues at the Lighterage Depot at Middlegate, Norfolk Island.Thousands of dollars worth of burnt fittings, thought to be completely destroyed, were salvaged by Glen...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Norfolk Island Lighter
Note: This post continues from earlier Salvage and RestorationA visit to the Lighterage Depot sees Dean Burrell fitting the second carvel, the fastening of planks edge to edge, gaining support from the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Coffin Shed
James Montford “Monty” Christian was a Radio Signaller with the New Zealand Army. His family history records that Monty was stationed throughout the Pacific during World War II. It is during his time...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Steady progression of work on the Lighter
Note: This post continues from earlier Norfolk Island LighterWork steadily progresses on the building of the Norfolk Island Administration’s new lighter. The lighters carry cargo from ship to shore and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Clik here to view.
Planing and Shaping Timber
Note: This post continues from earlier Steady progression of work on the Lighter Hours are spent working the Norfolk Island pine timber that has been milled and delivered to build the replacement...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Planking and Clamping
Note: This post continues from earlier Planing and Shaping TimberEach plank is removed from the steamer (see Steaming and Malleability - 12 Nov) and, whilst steaming hot, is shaped to the side of the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Attaching the clamps to the clinker
Note: This post continues from earlier Planking and clampingThe building of the lighter, the latest addition to Norfolk Island’s fleet continues. Lighters are used to transfer our sea cargo from ship...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Building the hull
Note: This post continues from earlier Attaching the clamps to the clinkerProgress on the Lighter is clearly seen from the number of clinkers that have been added to the Lighter. The bow rises toward...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Completion of the Lighter's hull
Note: This post continues from earlier Building the hullThe hull with its clinkers and carvels is now complete and work will commence on the inside of the hull.The frames have been removed to allow...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Building a Lighter for Norfolk Island's cargo
Note: This post continues from earlier Completion of the Lighter's hull Work on the Lighter has now moved to the inside structure and Dean Burrell continues his painstaking handiwork.Regular posts on...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Ribs, roves and rivets
Note: This post continues from earlier Building a Lighter for Norfolk Island's cargoWork continues with John Christian Bailey and Dean Burrell of JCB Cabinets hammering in the ribs. There are 43 ribs,...
View Article