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The gates to the breakwater were locked today because of the high sea danger so I had to get my photos from a different vantage point. The boom as the waves hit the concrete could be heard all over town.
This breakwater has protected the Oamaru harbour since the 1880's. It took 12 years to build and was decided upon after the previous wooden jetty and 3 ships were wrecked by the waves during a storm. It's building almost banktupted the Harbour Board but it was one of the finest ports in the colony.
The port closed to shipping in 1974 and is now a registered historic place. The fishing and pleasure boats, many of which you have seen on other photos of mine, now enjoy the calm safety provided by the wall. In the distance you can see the sea bashing against the shoreline.