Over the next little while I am going to let you know where you will see Te Papa’s collection items on display at other places.
Today I am going to let you know where to see some of the items in our history collection in the South Island.
Ship’s bell from the steamship “Mararoa” (1885) Image courtesy of Otago Museum
If you visit the Maritime Gallery at Otago Museum in Dunedin take the time to find 8 ship models, a ship’s bell from the steamship Mararoa (1885) and a fragment of the decking from HMS Victory, (1759).
Model brigantine “Aborigine”. Image courtesy of Otago Museum
The models to look out for are the brigantine Aborigine (1866), the19th century passenger ship SS Arawa, the WWI British destroyer HMS Maori, the Royal Navy ‘Tribal’ class destroyer HMS Maori (1938), the torpedo boat HMS Sentinel, the SS Himatangi, the WWII minesweeper HMNZS Waiho, and the MV Johann van Oldenbarneveldt. Have fun!
The Southland Museum & Art Gallery has an exhibition about the Sub-Antarctic Islands titled Beyond the Roaring Forties. This exhibition is really fascinating and features relics of 19th century shipwreck survivors. Among them are 6 items from Te Papa’s collection.
“Anjou” spoon and spinning top .Te Papa
This spoon and spinning top were made by members of the crew of the French barque Anjou wrecked on Auckland Island in 1905 and stand testament to the ingenuity of the survivors.
“Dundonald” commemorative marker .Te Papa
A poignant item is the zinc sheet pricked with the names of victims and survivors of Dundonald wrecked on the Auckland Islands in 1907.
“General Grant” knife and sheath .Te Papa
A sheath knife, with steel blade and wooden handle, with accompanying seal skin sheath. The handle has “W.N. Scott, May 1866″ carved into it. Scott was a member of the crew of the sailing ship General Grant, wrecked on Auckland Island in May 1866. Scott survived the wreck, but died with three other “General Grant castaways in an attempt to sail to New Zealand in an open boat.
“General Grant” zinc playing cards .Te Papa
Five playing cards made from sheet zinc also by W.N. Scott. Scott also made the needle from bird-bone on display.
Next time I will tell you about of our paintings in places you would not necessarily expect to find them.
