Janie Seddon Shipwreck

Janie began her career as a submarine mining vessel and was the last surviving military ship to serve in both world wars—rumour has it she even fired the first shot in WW2.

When her military days ended, Janie was purchased by the local Talley’s fishing group as the first in their fleet. As a coal-powered ship, she proved unsuitable as a fishing vessel, and her size prevented her from operating in the coastal waters of Tasman Bay. In 1950, the Janie Seddon was laid up on the Motueka Wharf, and after sinking at her moorings a few years later, she was stripped of anything of use and left to the elements.

To this day, Janie’s rusting hull rests on the coast of Motueka, and a short stroll along the foreshore will take you to her unofficial burial site. Photographers travel from near and far to capture this iconic shipwreck on camera. Still, for your safety, we advise you to appreciate her beauty without climbing inside or on top of the hull.

How to get there: From the Motueka High Street, travel down Old Wharf Road and onto the Motueka Quay.