A shipwreck off the rugged Catlins coast 80 years ago was the focal point of a ceremony at the Owaka Museum yesterday.
The function was attended by several North Island-based descendants of Ross Clark, captain of the ill-fated Manuka, which sank at night on December 16, 1929, after striking rocks off Long Point, near Owaka.
Remarkably, no lives were lost in the wreck of the Union Company's twin-screw steamer, even though it had 173 passengers and 110 crew on board.
A Court of Inquiry in Dunedin found Captain Clark guilty of negligence and he was ordered to pay half the Crown's costs.
He left the shipping company and died three years after the wreck.
Yesterday's gathering also launched the museum's exhibition, which displays photographs, items from the ship, and stories from passengers and survivors.
Captain Clark's only granddaughter, Sally Liggins, travelled from Auckland to attend the event, and said she came to thank members of the Owaka community for the support they had shown not only the survivors, but her family.
"You expect to hear stories about tragedy, but we hear about the strength and determination," she said.
Roslyn Richardson, nee Clark, came from Te Kuiti, and said the ceremony was emotionally touching, with everyone speaking so well of the captain.
"Our reason for being here is to say thank you to the people of Owaka for the help they gave everyone at that traumatic time, and it was a traumatic time. We will always be thankful."
Elderly members of the Owaka community were also invited to share their memories of the aftermath.
Mrs Joyce Whiteside said she was 14 when the ship sank, and remembered the train coming from Dunedin to collect the passengers.
Others spoke about finding food, carpet and children's Christmas presents that washed ashore.
Bruce Collins, Dunedin author of the book The Wreck of the Manuka, also attended yesterday.
