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Port Molyneux : the story of Maori and pakeha in South Otago : a centennial history : commemorating the landing of George Willsher and his companions at Willsher Bay, June 28, 1840 : with a programme for the unveiling of the centennial cairn, erected by the Clutha County Council, June 28, 1940

Sailing Down to the Port

Sailing Down to the Port.

In all new countries rivers are naturally the main highways. The Clutha River was navigable for many miles, up to Tuapeka Mouth, while the Matau and the Koau branches served Inchclutha, Kaitangata, South Molyneux, and Otanomomo.

The young men of the day remember what heavy work it was—quite easy sailing down with the current, but a very heavy pull back against the stream. Here is a description of the river inside the bar: “The harbour formed a wide stretch of water 300 or 400 yards wide and stretching away up river towards the junction. It was a beautiful and animating sight to see as many as six or eight ships unloading or loading, others lying at anchor waiting their turn to unload, or to get a wind to carry them up the river to Kaitangata.” The principal exports from the district were grain and potatoes, and sometimes a cargo of black pine sleepers. There were no waterside workers; the members of the crews doing all the loading and unloading.