Wreck of the "Delaware"

Julia Martin (Huria Matenga) is sometimes referred to as 'New Zealand's Grace Darling' on account of her part in helping to save the crew of the American built brigantine, "Delaware," in September 1863. After leaving Nelson she ran ashore at the foot of high cliffs north of the Maori settlement and was soon a total wreck. Julia was page 28then a strong young woman of about twenty years of age and she took a leading part in rescuing the men from the doomed vessel. Only one life was lost.

The name of Delaware Bay has been used for the whole coastal area ever since.