In the early days of Pembroke township Lake Wānaka itself was a valued transportation route, with vessels plying its waters carrying trade, provisions, machinery, and even tourists, on a regular basis.

Perhaps one of its more romantic and, at the time, modern forms of transportation, was the ‘Theodore’ - the lake’s one and only paddle steamer and the first steam driven vessel to sail on the lake.

It had quite a colourful and eventful life from the time it was built in the 1880s until it was beached in 1905 and finally scrapped and broken up in 1914.

Local historian and treasurer of the Upper Clutha Historical Records Society (UCHRS) Ken Allan spent some time researching the Theodore and was especially pleased to discover only recently a previously unknown postcard of her.

Ken has graciously permitted the Wanaka App to reprint excerpts of his story of ‘Theodore’, published in the UCHRS latest quarterly newsletter. This story and other news can be found here.

The history of the paddle steamer Theodore by Ken Allan

PS ‘Theodore’ probably sprang from the mind of Wanaka Hotel owner Theodore Russell as an adjunct to his hotel business. Unfortunately, Theodore Russell died in late 1877 before he could start the project but not before planting the idea in the mind of his former business partner Charles Hedditch.

This postcard of PS ‘Theodore’ tied up alongside the Makarora Wharf possibly dates back to the 1890s when the vessel was replanked.

Charles might have been supported in his efforts to build and operate the paddle steamer by Theodore’s widow, Celia, who took over running the Wanaka Hotel.

It’s surmised that Charles contacted Asher Smith, a boat builder/carpenter (believed to have built the Wanaka Hotel for Theodore Russell). Asher was living in Queenstown but moved over to Lake Wanaka and set up a base near the Matukituki River.  

There Asher commenced building the ‘Theodore’ in 1880 apparently in an ownership partnership with Charles Hedditch.  

The vessel was to be a flat-bottomed hull with a length of 67 feet and a beam of 16 feet. [To put it into context, this is a smaller hull than those used in the recent America’s Cup races that were 86 feet by 42 feet.]

A colourised photo of the ‘Theodore’ (left) and the ‘Makarora’ about 1902.

On March 9 1881, the vessel was launched. Charles’ wife, Florence smashed a bottle of champagne on the prow, named it ‘Theodore’, and it slipped into Lake Wanaka. Some 70 persons had gathered at the site, having travelled the 12 miles from Pembroke either overland by horse or by boats.  

After the celebrations were over, the hull was towed over to Roys Bay and moored there to await installation of the machinery, boiler, and paddles etc, which as it transpired, took many more months than initial newspaper reports indicated.

On 26 March it was reported “…. portions of her machinery passed through Arrowtown en-route for Pembroke. ….It is estimated that the steamer would be in full working trim within three months from date.” But something was amiss – probably money! The vessel was a sizable investment at £3,000.

Thirteen months later, it was reported that ‘Theodore’ “still rides at her moorings, and despite rancorous predictions to the contrary, her engines are expected and will, barring mishaps, soon be landed in Dunedin”.

However, another five months elapsed before new reports said “… the necessary machinery, paddles, etc, for the steamer are now on their way from England, having been specially manufactured by the renowned firm of Marshall and Sons…. Mr Hedditch...expects to have the vessel completely fitted and plying on the lake early in the ensuing year.”  

Photo of the ‘Theodore’ taken in 1913 rotting away on the beach.

I suspect that Asher and Charles had run out of money and this caused the delays. A sum of money had been raised against the security of the vessel with the Commercial Property & Finance Co. Ltd of Dunedin. It is also suggested in another newspaper report that there was a second charge mortgage to “the Russells”.

Eventually the machinery arrived in Dunedin and it was transported to Pembroke at a cost of £200. The engine was a “portable one of 29 hpw but could be worked to 40hpw”. The installation was completed and a satisfactory trial voyage took place on July 23 1883 - just over two years after ‘Theodore’ was launched!

On August 7 1883, the paddle steamer’s maiden public voyage was advertised with a “public invitation” by Messrs Hedditch and Smith to “trial their new and powerful steamboat….”.

Nine days later, on August 16, the big event took place; an afternoon trip was made around part of the lake, with lunch at McKay’s at Glendhu, and a free ball held at the Wanaka Hotel that night.  

Charles, now known locally as Captain Hedditch, was the captain and as such continued in that position until the vessel was sold later on.

Tickets, costing the princely sum of 20 shillings, were advertised for a nine hour day-trip on each of the following two days, departing Pembroke Wharf and stopping at Waterfall Creek, Makarora, the Head of the Lake and/or Pigeon Island, accompanied by the Cromwell Brass Band.

Eight years later, in 1891, the aforementioned Commercial Property & Finance Co Ltd (as mortgagee) advertised for tenders to purchase the paddle steamer but the next day the ‘Theodore’ sank alongside the Pembroke jetty.  

There was a suggestion back in 1880 in a letter to a newspaper by an unknown person, that Asher may have been having trouble with caulking the timbers, as it was suggested that unseasoned wood was used in the construction. Maybe that came back to haunt Captain Hedditch and Asher Smith?

The NZ Police Gazette dated 21 Oct 1891, recorded the sinking when the local policeman, Constable A E Remer was awarded £5 “by the New Zealand and other insurance companies in recognition of his services at the PS ‘Theodore’ when sunk in Lake Wanaka”.

Theodore’s ignominious sinking wasn’t her final chapter however, as within three months the paddle steamer had been overhauled, repaired, re-surveyed and re-launched.

‘Theodore’ was advertised for sale by auction in October 1891 but must have failed to sell as the mortgagee, Commercial Property & Finance Co. Ltd, was still registered as owner of the vessel in 1892.

All was not lost, however, as well-known entrepreneur and general merchantman Robert M McDougall, head of the family business R M McDougall & Sons, purchased the vessel in April 1892 - perhaps unaware of the vessel’s underlying problems.

About May 1896 it was discovered that the hull was “…. in a rotten state.” The McDougalls re-planked the hull and had it sailing again later that year, but this time under the name “Wanaka”. It was re-named ‘Theodore’ a very short while later, it is thought, after a ‘hue and cry’ from the locals.

PS ‘Theodore’ continued plying the lake until at least January 1905 when it last advertised its services. At some stage afterwards, ‘Theodore’ was beached at Roys Bay and slowly deteriorated until in 1914 she was eventually broken up and the remains removed.

PHOTOS: Supplied