In the Royal Arcade
Look for a 5 ft green door
It leads to a underground "strong" room that was fire proof for document storage. Iron from the Benvenue shipwreck was used for shelves in the strong room below.
In 1882 10 lives were lost when the Benvenue (carrying 500 tons of coal) and the City of Perth (carrying 5000 sacks of local wheat) ran aground. Imagine watching from the cliff, the frantic effort to save the ships and exports, only to see those trying to save the ships suddenly needing saving themselves. Capt Alexander Mills (lived at Le Crens Terrace where the lighthouse was) left behind his wife Margaret, four sons, and three daughters. He had saved many lives while Harbour Master and headed the rocket brigade sea rescuers. He co-founded the Masonic Lodge.
Can you find the monument to Seafearers on Sophia Street?
Over 13 years 1879-1892, 28 ships were wrecked or refloated off Timaru’s coastline
16 wrecked and 7 were refloated
100 Lives saved by Voluntary Rocket Brigade
43 Lives saved by Alexandra Lifeboat Crew
15 People died, Including 10 On “Black Sunday”, 7 were volunteers on the lifeboat.
Timaru was a ship graveyard. We needed safer mooring.