Ripapa Island: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 43°37′12″S 172°45′16″E / 43.6201°S 172.7544°E / -43.6201; 172.7544
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{{Short description|Island in New Zealand}}
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{{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2024}}

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[[File:Ripapa Island 1872 map.png|thumb|1872 map of Ripapa Island]]
[[File:Ripapa Island 1872 map.png|thumb|1872 map of Ripapa Island]]
'''Ripapa Island''' (also known archaically as '''Ripa Island''';<ref>{{cite web |title=Ripapa Island |url=https://gazetteer.linz.govt.nz/place/5104 |website=New Zealand Gazetteer |publisher=Land Information New Zealand |access-date=14 December 2021}}</ref> {{lang-mi|Rīpapa}}) located just off the shore of [[Lyttelton Harbour]], has played many roles in the history of New Zealand. The island initially played a key role in an internal struggle for the South Island [[Ngāi Tahu]] tribe in the early 19th Century. Between 1873 and 1885, the island was used as a [[quarantine]] station for ships arriving from Britain to the nearby port in Lyttelton.<ref name="weekes">{{cite news |last1=Weekes |first1=John |title=Quarantined: A sordid, sickly, sad underside of New Zealand history |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/119373102/quarantined-a-sordid-sickly-sad-underside-of-new-zealand-history |accessdate=16 February 2020 |work=Stuff |date=9 February 2020}}</ref> However 1880 saw the use of the quarantine buildings as a prison, notably for members of the [[Parihaka]] Māori settlement in [[Taranaki]] during its [[passive resistance]] campaign against the surveying and selling of its land by the government.<ref name=Kaupapa7>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080529073722/http://www.waitangi-tribunal.govt.nz/scripts/reports/reports/143/306CB8AF-6FE2-453A-8255-F37E43D45E77.pdf The Taranaki Report: Kaupapa Tuatahi by the Waitangi Tribunal, chapter 7.]</ref> The quarantine buildings were dismantled when the Island was incorporated into the coastal defence scheme.<ref name="DOC">http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/historic/by-region/canterbury/christchurch-and-banks-peninsula/fort-jervois-ripapa-island/ DoC information on Ripapa Island</ref>
'''Ripapa Island''' ({{lang-mi|Rīpapa}}), also known earlier as '''Ripa Island''',<ref>{{cite web |title=Ripapa Island |url=https://gazetteer.linz.govt.nz/place/5104 |website=New Zealand Gazetteer |publisher=Land Information New Zealand |access-date=14 December 2021}}</ref> located just off the shore of [[Lyttelton Harbour]], has played many roles in the history of New Zealand. A Māori fortified [[Pā (Māori)|pā]] there played a key role in an internal struggle for the South Island [[Ngāi Tahu]] tribe in the early 19th century. Between 1873 and 1885, the island hosted a [[quarantine]] station, which was also used as a temporary prison for members of the [[Parihaka]] Māori settlement in [[Taranaki]]. Fort Jervois was built in 1886 as part of system of [[Coastal fortifications of New Zealand#The "Russian-scare" forts of 1885|defences against a feared Russian invasion]]. The fort was in military use until the end of World War I, and again during World War II. It is the most complete Russian-scare fort still existing in New Zealand.

==19th century Māori history==
Ripapa Island was a perfect location for a [[Pā (Māori)|pā]] (a fortification built by the Māori) and chief Taununu of the Ngāi Tahu tribe built one there in the early 19th century. In the 1820s, Taununu faced a fierce fight with another Ngāi Tahu group, in what was to be known as the [[Kai huanga]] feud. Kai huanga, meaning "eat relatives", refers to the cannibalistic nature of the feud and that those they fought and ate were close relatives, even getting to a point where cousin would eat cousin. The Ngāi Tahu tribe continued to occupy the island until around 1832. Prior to this, chief Te Whakarukeruke, who had been occupying Ripapa Island, left to help defend [[Kaiapoi]] from [[Te Rauparaha]]. After Kaiapoi fell, Te Rauparaha overran a number of pā on and around [[Banks Peninsula]], including the pā on Ripapa Island. The island was never again occupied by Māori.<ref name=DOC_Topuni>{{cite web |url= https://www.doc.govt.nz/about-us/our-partners/maori/ripapa/ |title=Ripapa – an ideal pa site |publisher=Department of Conservation |access-date=21 July 2022}}</ref>


==Quarantine station and prison==
==Pre-European history==
Between 1873 and 1885, the island was used as a [[quarantine]] station for ships arriving from Britain to the nearby port in Lyttelton.<ref name="weekes">{{cite news |last1=Weekes |first1=John |title=Quarantined: A sordid, sickly, sad underside of New Zealand history |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/119373102/quarantined-a-sordid-sickly-sad-underside-of-new-zealand-history |accessdate=16 February 2020 |work=Stuff |date=9 February 2020}}</ref> In 1880 the quarantine buildings were used as a prison, notably for members of the [[Parihaka]] Māori settlement in [[Taranaki]] during its [[passive resistance]] campaign against the surveying and selling of its land by the government.<ref name=Kaupapa7>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080529073722/http://www.waitangi-tribunal.govt.nz/scripts/reports/reports/143/306CB8AF-6FE2-453A-8255-F37E43D45E77.pdf The Taranaki Report: Kaupapa Tuatahi by the Waitangi Tribunal, chapter 7.]</ref> The quarantine buildings were dismantled and moved to [[Quail Island (New Zealand)|Quail Island]] in 1885,<ref name=NZHPT/> to be replaced by a coastal defence fort on Ripapa.<ref name="DOC">{{cite web |url= https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/canterbury/places/banks-peninsula-area/ripapa-island-historic-reserve/ |title=Ripapa Island Historic Reserve: History and culture |publisher=Department of Conservation |access-date=21 July 2022}}</ref>
The site of Ripapa Island was perfect for building a [[Pā (Māori)|pā]] (a fortification built by the Māori) and in the early 19th century, chief Taununu of the Ngāi Tahu tribe built such a pā on the island. In the 1820s, chief Taununu faced a fierce fight with another Ngāi Tahu group, in what was to be known as the [[Kai huanga]] feud. Kai huanga, meaning "eat relatives", refers to the cannibalistic nature of the feud and that those they fought and ate were close relatives, even getting to a point where cousin would eat cousin. The Ngāi Tahu tribe continued to occupy the island until around 1832. Prior to this, Chief Te Whakarukeruke, who had been occupying Ripapa Island, left to help defend [[Kaiapoi]] from [[Te Rauparaha]]. After Kaiapoi fell, Te Rauparaha overran a number of pā on and around [[Banks Peninsula]], including the pā on Ripapa Island. The island was never again occupied by Māori.


==Fort Jervois==
==Fort Jervois==
[[File:Derelict Armstrong guns Ripapa Island.JPG|right|thumb|Derelict Armstrong guns and emplacements]]
[[File:Derelict Armstrong guns Ripapa Island.JPG|right|thumb|Derelict Armstrong guns and emplacements]]
[[File:8lb Armstrong gun, Ripapa Island.JPG|right|thumb|8-inch Armstrong gun mechanism]]
[[File:8lb Armstrong gun, Ripapa Island.JPG|right|thumb|8-inch Armstrong gun mechanism]]
Fort Jervois was built on Ripapa as one of the four defences set up in [[World War I]] to protect Lyttelton Harbour, and as part of the nationwide coastal defences. The walled fort that had been built in 1886 had been re-militarised as a result of a perceived [[Coastal fortifications of New Zealand#The "Russian-scare" forts of 1885|Russian scare]] and is the most complete Russian scare fort left in New Zealand. The fort was occupied by the New Zealand army from the Russian scare till the end of [[World War I]] and was again garrisoned during [[World War II]]. Fort Jervois housed some prisoners of war during World War I including [[Felix von Luckner]].<ref name="hero or braggart">{{cite news |last1=Munro |first1=Robin |title=War hero or a braggart? |url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/christchurch-life/mainlander/6742485/War-hero-or-a-braggart |accessdate=19 October 2014 |work=[[The Press]] |date=14 April 2012 |pages=C10–C11}}</ref>
A walled fort, initially named Fort Ripa, was built on Ripapa in 1886 as part of a [[Coastal fortifications of New Zealand#The "Russian-scare" forts of 1885|nationwide coastal defence system constructed due to the Russian scare]], a fear that Russia would invade New Zealand. One of four fortifications set up to protect Lyttelton Harbour, it was renamed Fort Jervois after [[William Jervois|Lieutenant General Sir William Jervois]] in 1888. Four [[disappearing gun]]s were installed by 1889. The fort was occupied by the New Zealand army until the end of World War I, during which it housed some prisoners of war, including [[Felix von Luckner]].<ref name=NZHPT/><ref name="hero or braggart">{{cite news |last1=Munro |first1=Robin |title=War hero or a braggart? |url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/christchurch-life/mainlander/6742485/War-hero-or-a-braggart |accessdate=19 October 2014 |work=[[The Press]] |date=14 April 2012 |pages=C10–C11}}</ref> It was again garrisoned during World War II.<ref name="DOC"/>


The fort is currently the home of two extremely rare guns. One is a [[BL 8 inch Mk VII naval gun|BL 8-inch gun]] (one of only 12 left in the world), which is still in working order, though there are no shells left for such a weapon. It also holds a smaller [[BL 6 inch gun Mk I - VI|BL 6-inch gun]]. However, at the first test shot the recoil system failed, with the result that the barrel cracked and most of the rest of the gun was damaged and was returned to England for repairs. A test fire in 1939 cracked the mounting. Though these are the only two guns currently in place at Fort Jervois, there are emplacements for another two guns. These two guns are on the island but have been partially destroyed.
The fort is currently the home of two extremely rare guns. One is a [[BL 8 inch Mk VII naval gun|BL 8-inch gun]] (one of only 12 left in the world), which is still in working order, though there are no shells left for such a weapon. It also holds a smaller [[BL 6 inch gun Mk I - VI|BL 6-inch gun]]. However, at the first test shot the recoil system failed, with the result that the barrel cracked and most of the rest of the gun was damaged and was returned to England for repairs. A test fire in 1939 cracked the mounting. Though these are the only two guns currently in place at Fort Jervois, there are emplacements for another two guns. These two guns are on the island but have been partially destroyed.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}


The island has been under the control of the [[Department of Conservation (New Zealand)|Department of Conservation]] since 1990. Fort Jervois is classed as a Category I historic place by [[Heritage New Zealand]],<ref>{{NZHPT|5306|Fort Jervois|25 April 2011}}</ref> and has been considered "actively managed" by Canterbury Conservancy. Future plans have been made to return the island to how it was during the Second World War.<ref name="DOC"/>
The island has been under the control of the [[Department of Conservation (New Zealand)|Department of Conservation]] since 1990. Fort Jervois is classed as a Category I historic place by [[Heritage New Zealand]],<ref name=NZHPT>{{NZHPT|5306|Fort Jervois|25 April 2011}}</ref> and has been considered "actively managed" by the Department of Conservation.<ref name="DOC"/> It is the most complete Russian-scare fort still existing in New Zealand.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}


The [[June 2011 Christchurch earthquake]] damaged Fort Jervois and it was closed for some time. Remedial repairs have now been carried out, and the island was reopened in November 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/historic-ripapa-island-open-summer-visitors|title=Historic Ripapa Island open for summer visitors|website=The Beehive|language=en|access-date=4 January 2020}}</ref> Currently, it is only possible to visit the island by private boat;<ref name="DOC"/> public ferry services from Lyttelton wharf resumed in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://blackcat.co.nz/ripapa-island/ |title=Ripapa Island|website=Black Cat Cruises| access-date=4 January 2020}}</ref>
The [[June 2011 Christchurch earthquake]] damaged Fort Jervois and it was closed for some time. Remedial repairs were made, and the island reopened in November 2019,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/historic-ripapa-island-open-summer-visitors|title=Historic Ripapa Island open for summer visitors|website=The Beehive|language=en|access-date=4 January 2020}}</ref> with public ferry services from Lyttelton wharf resuming in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://blackcat.co.nz/ripapa-island/ |title=Ripapa Island|website=Black Cat Cruises|date=17 December 2019 | access-date=4 January 2020}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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* [[Coastal fortifications of New Zealand]]
* [[Coastal fortifications of New Zealand]]
* [[List of islands of New Zealand]]
* [[List of islands of New Zealand]]
* [[List of islands]]
* [[Desert island]]


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-visit/canterbury/christchurch-and-banks-peninsula/ripapa-island-historic-reserve/ Ripapa Island] at the Department of Conservation
* [https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/canterbury/places/banks-peninsula-area/ripapa-island-historic-reserve/ Ripapa Island Historic Reserve], Department of Conservation


{{Prisons in New Zealand}}
{{Prisons in New Zealand}}
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[[Category:Military history of New Zealand during World War II]]
[[Category:Military history of New Zealand during World War II]]
[[Category:Prisons in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Prisons in New Zealand]]
[[Category:NZHPT Category I listings in Canterbury, New Zealand]]
[[Category:Heritage New Zealand Category 1 historic places in Canterbury, New Zealand]]

Revision as of 11:07, 10 April 2024

Ripapa Island
Native name:
Rīpapa (Māori)
Fort Jervois
Ripapa Island is located in Banks Peninsula
Ripapa Island
Ripapa Island
Location of Ripapa Island
Geography
Coordinates43°37′12″S 172°45′16″E / 43.6201°S 172.7544°E / -43.6201; 172.7544
Administration
New Zealand
Demographics
Population0
Official nameFort Jervois
Designated22 August 1991
Reference no.5306
1872 map of Ripapa Island

Ripapa Island (Māori: Rīpapa), also known earlier as Ripa Island,[1] located just off the shore of Lyttelton Harbour, has played many roles in the history of New Zealand. A Māori fortified there played a key role in an internal struggle for the South Island Ngāi Tahu tribe in the early 19th century. Between 1873 and 1885, the island hosted a quarantine station, which was also used as a temporary prison for members of the Parihaka Māori settlement in Taranaki. Fort Jervois was built in 1886 as part of system of defences against a feared Russian invasion. The fort was in military use until the end of World War I, and again during World War II. It is the most complete Russian-scare fort still existing in New Zealand.

19th century Māori history

Ripapa Island was a perfect location for a (a fortification built by the Māori) and chief Taununu of the Ngāi Tahu tribe built one there in the early 19th century. In the 1820s, Taununu faced a fierce fight with another Ngāi Tahu group, in what was to be known as the Kai huanga feud. Kai huanga, meaning "eat relatives", refers to the cannibalistic nature of the feud and that those they fought and ate were close relatives, even getting to a point where cousin would eat cousin. The Ngāi Tahu tribe continued to occupy the island until around 1832. Prior to this, chief Te Whakarukeruke, who had been occupying Ripapa Island, left to help defend Kaiapoi from Te Rauparaha. After Kaiapoi fell, Te Rauparaha overran a number of pā on and around Banks Peninsula, including the pā on Ripapa Island. The island was never again occupied by Māori.[2]

Quarantine station and prison

Between 1873 and 1885, the island was used as a quarantine station for ships arriving from Britain to the nearby port in Lyttelton.[3] In 1880 the quarantine buildings were used as a prison, notably for members of the Parihaka Māori settlement in Taranaki during its passive resistance campaign against the surveying and selling of its land by the government.[4] The quarantine buildings were dismantled and moved to Quail Island in 1885,[5] to be replaced by a coastal defence fort on Ripapa.[6]

Fort Jervois

Derelict Armstrong guns and emplacements
8-inch Armstrong gun mechanism

A walled fort, initially named Fort Ripa, was built on Ripapa in 1886 as part of a nationwide coastal defence system constructed due to the Russian scare, a fear that Russia would invade New Zealand. One of four fortifications set up to protect Lyttelton Harbour, it was renamed Fort Jervois after Lieutenant General Sir William Jervois in 1888. Four disappearing guns were installed by 1889. The fort was occupied by the New Zealand army until the end of World War I, during which it housed some prisoners of war, including Felix von Luckner.[5][7] It was again garrisoned during World War II.[6]

The fort is currently the home of two extremely rare guns. One is a BL 8-inch gun (one of only 12 left in the world), which is still in working order, though there are no shells left for such a weapon. It also holds a smaller BL 6-inch gun. However, at the first test shot the recoil system failed, with the result that the barrel cracked and most of the rest of the gun was damaged and was returned to England for repairs. A test fire in 1939 cracked the mounting. Though these are the only two guns currently in place at Fort Jervois, there are emplacements for another two guns. These two guns are on the island but have been partially destroyed.[citation needed]

The island has been under the control of the Department of Conservation since 1990. Fort Jervois is classed as a Category I historic place by Heritage New Zealand,[5] and has been considered "actively managed" by the Department of Conservation.[6] It is the most complete Russian-scare fort still existing in New Zealand.[citation needed]

The June 2011 Christchurch earthquake damaged Fort Jervois and it was closed for some time. Remedial repairs were made, and the island reopened in November 2019,[8] with public ferry services from Lyttelton wharf resuming in 2020.[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Ripapa Island". New Zealand Gazetteer. Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  2. ^ "Ripapa – an ideal pa site". Department of Conservation. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  3. ^ Weekes, John (9 February 2020). "Quarantined: A sordid, sickly, sad underside of New Zealand history". Stuff. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
  4. ^ The Taranaki Report: Kaupapa Tuatahi by the Waitangi Tribunal, chapter 7.
  5. ^ a b c "Fort Jervois". New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. Heritage New Zealand. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
  6. ^ a b c "Ripapa Island Historic Reserve: History and culture". Department of Conservation. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  7. ^ Munro, Robin (14 April 2012). "War hero or a braggart?". The Press. pp. C10–C11. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  8. ^ "Historic Ripapa Island open for summer visitors". The Beehive. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  9. ^ "Ripapa Island". Black Cat Cruises. 17 December 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2020.

External links