The Homer Tunnel and the Cape Expedition

Photographs taken over two winters when Alister Duthie was employed on the Homer Tunnel between 1937 and 1939.

Photographs taken while Alister Duthie was a member of the "Cape Expedition" which established coastwatching functions in New Zealand's subantarctic islands during the Second world War.

While employed at the Homer Tunnel Alister Duthie's main job was to patrol the power lines and report any breakages or other damage.

According to Alister Duthie The first trip of the "Cape Expedition" in 1941 was in the "Ranui". The time was spent on board coastwatching, going ashore mainly to hunt fresh meat. Dr Robert Falla, then Director of the Canterbury Museum, was also on this trip, specifically because of his knowledge of the subantarctic islands.

The second trip which Duthie made was on the "Tagua" to Campbell Island where they spent their time doing meteriological work. At the end of this term of duty he returned to New Zealand on the "New Golden Hind."

The "Ranui," "Tagua," and "New Golden Hind," were three small ships used by the New Zealand Goverment to service its coastwatching committments, not only on its subantarctic islands, but throughout the Pacific. The "Cape Expedition" itself was operational from 1941 to 1945.

Quantity: 132 b&w original photographic print(s).