THE “FORREST HALL” NEW ZEALAND SHIPWRECK

Research by David Reynolds/Flat-Broke Films Ltd (April/2011)

A Brief Summary of the Historical Events

The wreck of the large Forrest Hall cargo sailing ship on the coastline of Ninety Mile Beach in the Far North tip of the northern island of New Zealand since 27th February, 1909 has always been thought of as a “murder” scene. She was an iron ship of 2052 tons gross, 277 feet long, 40 feet beam and 24 feet in depth, and had been built in Liverpool UK in 1883. She was enroute from Newcastle, Australia with a cargo of
3,127 tons of coal onboard to Antofagasta in Chile, South America. It was the captain’s intention to sail through Cook Strait or round to the south of New Zealand.

Her stranding was described by the subsequent inquiry as the only known case of a ship going ashore in a calm sea in clear morning daylight conditions. Captain John Fenn Collins apparently ignored his first officer’s concerns that the ship was heading towards land, but the captain said he would carry on so that he could make a good tack. At the last minute though, the first officer ordered the helm to be put up, but the Captain countermanded that order and she struck the beach almost immediately. Later, there were rumours that the Captain must have been in ill-health to take such deliberate poor actions as it was reported that he had epileptic fits on the voyage.

CAPTAIN CONVICTED

There were also rumours of drunkenness amongst the ship’s crew. The Captain’s brother, Charles Miller Collins who acted as third officer was concerned at his brother’s ill-health. Asking the Chief Officer to keep an eye on proceedings, he was later observed as intoxicated. At the marine inquiry convened in Auckland a few days later, Captain Collins was found guilty of negligence, his certificate was suspended for two years and he was ordered to pay costs.

CAPTAIN’S GRATITUDE

After the ship was wrecked and all the crew made it to the shore, Captain Collins and his first mate headed for the nearest village, Parengarga to raise the alarm. The Maori villagers looked after the beleaguered crew and in gratitude for their kindness; Captain Collins presented them with the ship’s bell. It was later donated to Te Hapau School were it now proudly hangs in the school’s grounds. The wreckage of the ship can still be seen at low-tide in its watery grave.

Flat-Broke Films has been very fortunate to have obtained some original photos taken at the time of the wreck which perfectly illustrate the devastation caused to the ship on what was the beautiful sandy coastline of Ninety Mile Beach. This is a strange place for a ship to end its seafaring life in very strange circumstances indeed. We are in contact with the Far North Regional Museum in Kaitaia (NZ) who have been very helpful with background information, as have Pat & Julie Walker (NZ) who have supplied us with current photos of the “Ship’s Bell” for which we are very grateful.

Our colleagues Adrian Tyson & Nick Duffy of Stick Around Films will be co-developing a screenplay based on this strange shipwreck. Co-incidentally, Adrian visited the wreck location recently on a tour of the north island, and he is eager to recreate the event for the silver screen.

Photos of the “Forrest Hall” Shipwreck from The Northwood Collection/Far North Photo Ltd with kind permission of John Edmonds www.farnorthphoto.co.nz


Captain John Fenn Collins who was later found guilty of negligence by deliberately causing the ship to become wrecked, although ill-health may have affected his judgement.


Wreck of the “Forrest Hall” 27th February 1909: She was bound from Newcastle, Australia to Chile when she came ashore on the North-West coast some 25 miles south of Cape Maria Van Dieman and onto Ninety Mile Beach on a calm clear day.


View from the Forrest Hall: This dramatic view shows the damaged deck and rigging. The Bluff is south of the ship on Ninety Mile Beach and this can be seen in the distance.


Forrest Hall Wreckage on Ninety Mile Beach: Items washed up on the beach being collected by local people.


Salvaging the Forrest Hall Wreck: Wreckage from the ship is removed from the beach by horses.


A Map of Shipwrecks: In the last 180 years there are over 2000 recorded shipping wrecks in New Zealand Waters. Some 43 can be seen in the Far North including The Forrest Hall.


(Photo source unknown)
Wonderful colour sky-view shot of Ninety Mile Beach as it is now. The Bluff extends out from the beach where in the foreground the wreckage of the Forrest Hall can often be seen at low tides.


(Photo by Pat & Julie Walker)
The Forrest Hall ship’s bell: This bell was presented to the people of Parengarenga by the ship’s captain in gratitude for their help in rescuing his crew. The bell was later given to Te Hapua school where it hangs with pride to this day. 

All photos must not be copied without the permission of Flat-Broke Films Ltd/UK.