Bluff Harbour Survey [contains 4 maps], 1951
Item — Multiple Containers
Identifier: S00800077
Dates
- 1951
Extent
From the Series: 82 maps/plans (Box 4, Drawers West 5 b, c and e, Map-boxes 5 - 10, Frame: Research Room Wall, Digital Archive.)
Language of Materials
English
S00800077 1
A0010_S00800077_a is created by R.B. Murray. Map is dated 10 July 1951 Compiled from surveys by H.M.N.Z.S. 'Lachlan' 1951, N.Z. Aerial Mapping Co 1951, and B.H.3 staff. Map is Bluff Harbour Board proposed plans for a marine airport. Map shows trig points, wharfs, sandbanks, piles and buoys. Coordinates are shown in pencil, proposed new airport in red ink, with land mass and other details in black and blue ink. The map details Bluff Summit showing altitude, as well as Tewaiwai [Tiwai] point, Ocean Beach, Rabbit Island, Spencer's Island and Joey's Island. Scale 1000 feet to 1 inch.
A0010_S00800077_b shows Australia South Coast, Bass Strait, Wilson Promontory, Waratah Bay, La Trobe Island, Sunday Island. Lower edge of map indicates London published at the Admiralty 27th November 1936 under the supervision of Rear Admiral J.A. Edgell C.B., O.B.E Hydrographer. Key on lower left corner shows Tidal Information.
A0010_S00800077_c Map indicates Chaslands Mistake, Nugget Point, Slope Point, Haldane Bay, Waipapa Point. Map also shows Trig Stations supplied by Survey Department, Nugget Point Light and position of Waipapapa light from Bluff Harbour.
A0010_S00800077_d Sketch plan of lower reaches of Awarua Bay compiled from aerial photos [Lands and Survey Department]. Drawings indicate depth of water and where main channels are.
A0010_S00800077_b shows Australia South Coast, Bass Strait, Wilson Promontory, Waratah Bay, La Trobe Island, Sunday Island. Lower edge of map indicates London published at the Admiralty 27th November 1936 under the supervision of Rear Admiral J.A. Edgell C.B., O.B.E Hydrographer. Key on lower left corner shows Tidal Information.
A0010_S00800077_c Map indicates Chaslands Mistake, Nugget Point, Slope Point, Haldane Bay, Waipapa Point. Map also shows Trig Stations supplied by Survey Department, Nugget Point Light and position of Waipapapa light from Bluff Harbour.
A0010_S00800077_d Sketch plan of lower reaches of Awarua Bay compiled from aerial photos [Lands and Survey Department]. Drawings indicate depth of water and where main channels are.
4 maps
4 Maps
A0010 S00800077 1 750 mm x 670 mm
S00800077 2 750 mm x 670 mm
S00800077 A 305 mm x 410 mm
S00800077 B 230 mm x 600 mm
Item Context Note
BLUFF INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - THE ANSETT FLYING BOAT VISITS, by Gerard Morris. Article published in 'Pacific Wings' magazine. Pp.18-22 and p.27.
HISTORY: The first flying-boat service was by an Imperial Airways Short S.30 Empire Class flying-boat "Centaurus G-ADUT" on 27 December 1937, when it flew from Sydney to Auckland on a survey flight from the UK. TEAL's regular Tasman service commenced 30 April 1940,when the Short S.30 Empire Class flying-boat "Aotearoa ZK-AMA" that flew Auckland to Sydney. A return flight was made 2 May 1940 and marked the beginning of a weekly service. The following August, frequency increased to three flights fortnightly.
During its first year of operation, "Aotearoa ZK-AMA" and "Awarua ZK-AMC" made over 130 flights and carried 1,461 passengers. By June 1944,1,000 crossings had been made.
These aircraft were retired in 1947 and replaced by four Tasman class Sandringham flying-boats. These four aircraft were withdrawn after "New Zealand ZK-AME" suffered engine failure in a heavy rainstorm and had to jettison all luggage and freight, before returning to New Zealand under escort by "Auckland AK-AMD" and a Catalina flying-boat. Solents replaced them and operated from 14 November 1949 - 27 June 1954 when Teal began using Douglas DC-6s.
BLUFF INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT A new route was proposed and instituted by Australian, Sir Gordon Taylor, using Ansett flying-boats. The proposal was for the route to be Sydney-Hobart-Bluff, sightsee over Fiordland and the south island, then to link with a 6-day bus tour of north island tourist centres before returning to Sydney via Auckland-Lord Howe Island and Hobart.
On 20 September 1955, Capt Stewart C. Middlemiss (Ansett), Messrs E.Gwatkin (Ansett-NZ Mgr), G.S. Halley (licensing authority for Civial Aviation Dept), flew into Bluff, by amphibian, to inspect the proposed harbour runways which had been mapped out in 1951. Everything being satisfactory and no dredging required, arrangements for regular flights were made. Civial Aviation Dept agreed to supply weather information in advance; Bluff Harbour Board to mark and buoy the runways; the airport aeradio station to control the approach of aircraft. Arrangements were also made for Customs and Dept of Agriculture services to be available on Bluff Wharf.
Saturday, 29 October 1955, Ansett Airways Sandringham flying-boat "Pacific Chieftain VH-BRE" arrived. The landing was controlled from the Bluff Harbour Board launch "Takitimu", by Mr R. Tuckett, using the boat's radio and an aldis lamp. They moored near Rabbit Island and were taken to the wharf by launch. The Ansett flying-boats could carry 36 passengers plus crews with flying time between 6 hours 10 minutes and 6 hours 40 minutes.
There were five such tours in all, with the last recorded arrival at Bluff being on 2 March 1957. Crew details are given on p.22.
HISTORY: The first flying-boat service was by an Imperial Airways Short S.30 Empire Class flying-boat "Centaurus G-ADUT" on 27 December 1937, when it flew from Sydney to Auckland on a survey flight from the UK. TEAL's regular Tasman service commenced 30 April 1940,when the Short S.30 Empire Class flying-boat "Aotearoa ZK-AMA" that flew Auckland to Sydney. A return flight was made 2 May 1940 and marked the beginning of a weekly service. The following August, frequency increased to three flights fortnightly.
During its first year of operation, "Aotearoa ZK-AMA" and "Awarua ZK-AMC" made over 130 flights and carried 1,461 passengers. By June 1944,1,000 crossings had been made.
These aircraft were retired in 1947 and replaced by four Tasman class Sandringham flying-boats. These four aircraft were withdrawn after "New Zealand ZK-AME" suffered engine failure in a heavy rainstorm and had to jettison all luggage and freight, before returning to New Zealand under escort by "Auckland AK-AMD" and a Catalina flying-boat. Solents replaced them and operated from 14 November 1949 - 27 June 1954 when Teal began using Douglas DC-6s.
BLUFF INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT A new route was proposed and instituted by Australian, Sir Gordon Taylor, using Ansett flying-boats. The proposal was for the route to be Sydney-Hobart-Bluff, sightsee over Fiordland and the south island, then to link with a 6-day bus tour of north island tourist centres before returning to Sydney via Auckland-Lord Howe Island and Hobart.
On 20 September 1955, Capt Stewart C. Middlemiss (Ansett), Messrs E.Gwatkin (Ansett-NZ Mgr), G.S. Halley (licensing authority for Civial Aviation Dept), flew into Bluff, by amphibian, to inspect the proposed harbour runways which had been mapped out in 1951. Everything being satisfactory and no dredging required, arrangements for regular flights were made. Civial Aviation Dept agreed to supply weather information in advance; Bluff Harbour Board to mark and buoy the runways; the airport aeradio station to control the approach of aircraft. Arrangements were also made for Customs and Dept of Agriculture services to be available on Bluff Wharf.
Saturday, 29 October 1955, Ansett Airways Sandringham flying-boat "Pacific Chieftain VH-BRE" arrived. The landing was controlled from the Bluff Harbour Board launch "Takitimu", by Mr R. Tuckett, using the boat's radio and an aldis lamp. They moored near Rabbit Island and were taken to the wharf by launch. The Ansett flying-boats could carry 36 passengers plus crews with flying time between 6 hours 10 minutes and 6 hours 40 minutes.
There were five such tours in all, with the last recorded arrival at Bluff being on 2 March 1957. Crew details are given on p.22.
Repository Details
Part of the Invercargill City Libraries and Archives Repository
