In July last year, the Timaru Host Lions launched a $350,000 fundraising campaign to re-home the piece of maritime history in a new shelter so it could be observed and preserved for generations to come.
The lifeboat is primarily remembered for its use during the infamous "Black Sunday" wrecks in 1882, when a strong southeasterly gale broke the anchorages of Benvenue and City of Perth and swept them towards the Benvenue Cliffs.
Timaru Host Lions president Russell Cowles said it had been a hard 15 months of knocking on doors to get to this point in the project.
"I'm thrilled to see it nearly finished and out of our hair."
There was still about $20,000 left to raise, he said.
"We're still a bit short. We haven’t got the funds for the signage at this stage but we’re confident we’ll get some more money coming in.
Most of the funding had come through grants, but local businesses had been supportive as well, he said.
"South Canterbury has been hit with a lot of projects in the last few years, especially with the likes of CPlay and Fraser Park.
"So we've also had to rely on a lot of the funding through our own Lions as well.
"We've given probably, between our own club and other clubs, in the excess of $100,000 to $120,000 ourselves."
Earthworks should last for about three weeks with the goal to have the shelter fully completed by the first week of December.
History of Alexandra
- The lifeboat was commissioned by the Canterbury Provincial Council for £300 from London and was launched on July 10, 1863.
- On May 24, 1869, the boat was used and crew member Duncan Cameron drowned after Alexandra capsized.
- Following this incident, Alexandra was taken out of service and not used for 13 years, until one fateful day.
- On May 14, 1882, the lifeboat was pulled out of storage and raced into action when a strong southeasterly gale broke the anchorages of Benvenue and City of Perth and swept them towards the Benvenue Cliffs.
- As no other boat could handle the sea conditions, Alexandra was selected to lead the rescue attempts.
- During the rescue the vessel capsized four times, resulting in the loss of 10 lives but saving 43.
- The lifeboat was disbanded in 1885, and heavily featured in Timaru’s 50th anniversary celebration in 1909.
- The harbour board then gave the boat to the Timaru Borough Council and it was put on display at Caroline Bay until 1997, when it was taken to the Landing Service Building and fully restored.
- In 2010, the lifeboat was moved into storage and no longer on display.
