By Roselyn Fauth
The 1862 Alexandra lifeboat is one of South Canterbury’s special maritime treasures. Long before roads stitched the region together, rescue was done by oar and courage, and the Alexandra was at the centre of it. Built in England and arriving in Timaru in 1863, she is today one of the oldest surviving lifeboats of her kind anywhere in the world. Bringing the boat back to the bay is so much more than what we physically see. Its about what the vessel stands for. For generations, she stood as a reminder of the people who faced the sea so others might live...
In 2023, a long held community dream came to life. To celebrate their 60th anniversary, the Lions Club of Timaru Host Inc undertook an ambitious project: to return the Alexandra to Caroline Bay and create a permanent home where her story could be shared. Supported by the Aoraki Foundation, Timaru District Council, and generous local sponsors, the Lions led a successful fundraising campaign to shelter and display the vessel for future generations.
A purpose built structure was designed and constructed by Thompson Engineering, with WuHoo Timaru researching and presenting the maritime history for the new interpretive signage. The result is a sheltered space that protects the lifeboat and honours the ships, crews, and volunteers connected to Timaru’s early maritime world, along with the lives tragically lost at sea.
Named after Princess Alexandra of Denmark who marries Queen Victroria's eldest son in 1863, the lifeboat served the harbour through some of its most dramatic years, including the infamous Black Sunday disaster of 14 May 1882.
The Alexandra damage that it sustained on 14 May 1882 was repaired by 13 June 1882 by Mr W. Murlor. It sounds like the damage was caused when the lifeboat was trying to rescue someone of a bouy, a wave threw the Alexandra onto a surfboat. After repairs, the lifeboat was described as as staunch and strong as ever and fully fit for service. (News article here)
For decades, she was cared for by the Timaru Harbour Board and later gifted to the Timaru Borough Council. On the fiftieth anniversary of Black Sunday, the community gathered at Caroline Bay to place the Alexandra on public display.
The Alexandra's care has continued over the many decades beyond its retirement.
In 1997, the Timaru Maritime and Transportation Trust was formed to oversee restoration and keep the vessel safe. The Timaru Civic Trust restored the 1870s Landing Service Building, and the Alexandra was moved there, and later into storage, until her recent return to the bay 14 December 2025. She has carried more than 160 years of service, memory, and community custodianship.
None of this would have been possible without the generosity of individuals, businesses, clubs, and donors who contributed to the Lions’ 60th Anniversary Project. Their support, acknowledged alongside the project partners and sponsors, reflects the same spirit of shared effort that once sent lifeboat crews into the surf.
Today, the Alexandra rests in her new purpose built shelter, a calm and dignified tribute to Timaru’s maritime past. She holds the stories of the harbour, the people who risked their lives on rough seas, and the community who refused to forget her. Thanks to the dedication of many hands, the Alexandra now stands ready to inspire future generations, just as she once stood ready to save lives.
"I first began learning about Timaru’s sea rescues when I joined the CPlay team as a volunteer. What started as curiosity soon grew into a five-year journey of research, supported by my dad, Geoff Cloake, along with Phil Brownie and Tony Rippin at the South Canterbury Museum. I am really looking forward to bringing all of this work together and sharing it through the new interpretive signage for the lifeboat shelter.
The lifeboat is so much more than a historic vessel. It connects us to more than 160 years of our maritime past, to the days when our community had to rely on one another and rush to the rescue at a moment’s notice. These stories remind us of courage, teamwork and the spirit of helping others, which are still very much part of Timaru today. The new shelter is a wonderful complement to the playground’s themes and narratives, creating a place where families can play, explore and also learn about the people who risked their lives for their neighbours.
Although my own history hunt is relatively recent, my dad has been researching these stories for almost forty years. His interest began when he was supporting the Timaru Civic Trust’s fundraising for the Landing Services Building, and it has continued ever since. Bringing our work together for this project feels very special. It shows how community history is built, one piece at a time, and how these stories can keep guiding and inspiring us." -Roselyn Fauth Dec 2025
Alexandra Lifeboat Shelter Supporters
Project Partners
- Thompson Engineering – Shelter design and supply
- Aoraki Foundation – Fundraising support
- Branded Klutch – Sign writing
- WuHoo Timaru – Research & graphic design
Platinum Sponsors – $50,000+
- Lions Club of Timaru Host Inc
- NZ Lotteries Grant Board
- Community Trust South
- Pub Charity Limited
Diamond Sponsors – $30,000+
- Timaru District Council
- Lions International Foundation
Gold Sponsors – $10,000+
- PrimePort Timaru
- RSM Law
- Trust Aoraki
Silver Sponsors – $5,000+
- MediaWorks
- Parry & Co
- H J Allan Holdings
- Lions Club of Temuka
- Lions Club of Pleasant Point
Bronze Sponsors – $2,500+
- Patrick & Shonagh Fahy Family
Donors
- Dove’s Office Products (Project liaison $200)
- Kelly Hurst – Hurstwood Graphics ($200)
- Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour ($100)
- Aspire Fitness Studio ($100)
- Suzy Mackenzie – Suzy Mack Interiors ($100)
- Alzheimers South Canterbury ($200)
- Lions Club of Timaru Suburban ($500)
- Fairview Glass ($350)
- Nadine Ross ($100)
- Wilson Construction ($1,000)
- Rural Transport Timaru ($350)
- Transport Repairs ($750)
- Metzger Builders ($1,000)
- Timaru Drycleaners ($150)
- Timaru Indoor Bowls Club ($200)
Photo supplied by Branded Kiwi, showing their printer creating the lifeboat signage that was designed by graphic artist Roselyn Fauth and Geoff Cloake