SS Paiaka, bow on.

SS Paiaka, bow on.

Stern view in the sunset light.

Stern view in the sunset light.

Seeing the sunset through the rusted hull plates.

Seeing the sunset through the rusted hull plates.

Silhouette profile into the twilight.

Silhouette profile into the twilight.

Sunset turning to twilight over the shipwreck.

Sunset turning to twilight over the shipwreck.

The propeller is still attached but the rudder has most gone - only the metal frame remains now.

The propeller is still attached but the rudder has most gone - only the metal frame remains now.

Viewpoint on the way in - you can see the upper Pencarrow lighthouse in the distance.

Viewpoint on the way in - you can see the upper Pencarrow lighthouse in the distance.

Beach road access down to Fitzroy Bay. The wreck is across the bay from here.

Beach road access down to Fitzroy Bay. The wreck is across the bay from here.

Tucked away from the city proper, south of lighthouses marking the harbour entrance, lies the wreck of the SS Paiaka. Built in 1881 she was a steam launch - mostly sail powered but with a steam engine and prop as well. Not uncommon of a variety of coastal ships working round the coasts of New Zealand at the time. She wrecked in 1906 without loss of life and was moved in 1987 to become a permanent memorial to the ships and lives lost around the Wellington region coasts.