|
At the time of her sinking she was a general cargo and passenger ship operating between Nelson and Wellington.
The Rangitoto struck uncharted rocks near Cape Jackson point at the entrance of Queen Charlotte Sound. The impact ripped a hole four feet long by nine inches wide shortly after noon on the 30th of November 1873 in calm sea conditions. The vessel was beached on the nearby East shore and there it lay until gradually becoming completely submerged and slipping into deeper water. Thankfully there was no loss of life as the people aboard were saved the vessel Wellington. Many of the passengers rescued were women and children.
With the remaining ships company safely on dry land the ship was abandoned in a relatively controlled manner with the mail, most of the passengers luggage and crews personal effects saved. At the end of this ordeal the chief officer had to swim for it, eventually being rescued by the lifeboat of the nearby Wellington.
The position of the wreck was later re-confirmed and located in 1960 after a dive at Cape Jackson on the East side approximately 20 metres off shore.
At the time of sinking the locals were reported to have stocked up on booze lasting some for years to come. Some interesting items were taken off the ship. These included a signal gun, ship's fittings, ships and passengers general bits and bobs and bottles that were both full and empty with Hennessey brandy have been found.
| 
