Tugboat, Hokianga Heads

Tugboat, Hokianga Heads

Maritime safety improved in New Zealand in the late 1800s. This was due to the erection of lighthouses, improvement of charts, the coming of steamships and the establishment of harbour boards to provide better port facilities. A significant improvement was the provision of reliable tugs by harbour boards. Here we see a tug pulling a sailing ship across the dangerous bar at the entrance to Hokianga Harbour.