Guardians of the Light

Bulk supplies of coal and diesel arrived on the ship GMV Wairua. Puysegur was provided with 15,000 litres of diesel and 8 ton of coal per year which came in two six-monthly trips. On one such trip I was there for, the wind was a normal 40 Gustin g60kts. The Wairua anchored in Preservation Inlet about 3km from the station with Bill Black in his Squirrel helicopter ferrying loads in a net hanging from a strop. The coal was stored in a shed and Bill would hover above the door and moving the chopper back and forward a bit, swing the net so it landed just inside, making it easier and quicker to unload. Amazing flying, especially in the conditions. On this day my supplies and mail were meant to be on board the Wairua also, but Bill left and the ship sailed without them. I realised this and tried to raise the ship on the RT but they weren't listening. I grabbed the signal flag 'U' which meant, 'I wish to communicate with you,' and hoisted it on the flagpole as the ship was sailing past the Point. It worked, with the captain coming on the RT. I told him about my stores and he 'hove to' while the crew looked for them, but they were not on board. Someone had forgotton. As I needed food a chopper was sent out the next day with the gear, a one thousand dollar mistake, the cost of a special helicopter trip.

Gidday to all old mates. I spent about a year at Puysegur in 8 stints. I built the hut in the bush with Ivan Ross, a guy who turned up at the door. Strange dude and times. I also went out in Stew's boat, Searaider. Went to Cape Providence with Bill Black and dropped off a couple of old dudes who stayed in a cave there. Great times.My email is lh.keeperr@hotmail.co.nz. Cheers, Paul Trevethick.

Bill, I'm great! I live in Lebanon, Ohio, USA. I've been blessed with many opportunities, no regrets except leaving Southland. What a surprise to see you in the 'doco.
I was showing my kids where the "old man" had been, and there you were. I found some picts i'd kept all these years and you've aged only slightly. It's raining outside and reminds me of Southland. Tell Marty I said Hello.

Dave... so good to read your comments here. How are you? What a sharp memory you have. I was invited to Puysegur Point for the the making of this 'doco. We stayed in the only remaining building, being the radio room/workshop. I felt as if I'd stepped back in time. Some of the furniture from the top house was salvaged and still remains in the old workshop... simple comforts for occasional maintenance tech visits. Marty Tuarau is well. He's living near Hamilton and we are in contact from time to time. I still enjoy recalling the wonderful times I had at Puysegur, like when you, Neville, Marty and I were out on Stu's boat. Cheers mate, for all those DB'S !

Lance,
In 1984 the houses were in bad shape, no upkeep.
The Light was being dismantled, The light lens, a Fennel type ? was laying around the ground. Stew Ellis, Neval Diamond, and myself were in the fiord because of bad weather. Being bored just waiting on the weather to clear, we decided to walk up to the light and surprise the keepers. The track from the boathouse was washed out and nearly impassable. Long story short...not very many people ever walked up to the lighthouse and knocked on the door. Oh ya , we brought them as many DBs as we could carry. I'm sure if they read this a smile will appear... Magical Time.

Hi Dave,
The three family on the station had one to two house cows & about 20 sheep per family.
The crayfish boats that work the area, were the most skilled fishermen that work the water around our coasts.
The only people we knew of living in the bush was an boyfriend & girlfriend living down the sounds who were wanted by the police, they were there about 6 months before the police arrested them.

Lance, good day.
I worked on a crayfish boat out of Riverton in 1984. Bill Megennis was a keeper with Marty, forgot his last name. The captaom was Stew Ellis. He was a keeper at Puysegur about the same time I think you were there. Magical place. When I was there an old milk cow wandered around, the guys said it was really old and had supplied milk for the keepers families. Also, was there a hermit that lived in the bush near the station? I recall a shack in the bush about 1/4 mile away.

Thank-you for this look at the keepers of the lights.
My Father was a keeper & in 1972 When my family was posted to Puysegur Point Lighthouse station.
We were from town not ready for the life ,Hell my mum was wearing a mini-skirt the day she climb down a rope ladder on the side of a ship to the boat to take us to shore; mind you it did seem to please the crew in the boat below.
I was 10 years old my sisters were 11 & 2 my brother was 9.
There are many stories untold about the family’s that served on the stations , most are funny some embarrassing a few sad it’s a pity we may never hear them .
Lance Potter( son of a keeper)