Cr Faulkner's statement in The Weekend Sun July 19 is incorrect in that ‘D'Urville's ship the ‘Astrolabe' never hit Astrolabe Reef.
His published diary (in the library's Sladden collection) indicates there was a close encounter on 16 Feb 1827. The missionary schooner ‘Herald' also had a close encounter on 7 April 1828.
The ‘Nellie' hit Astrolabe Reef on 13 January 1878, but she was sailed off. She filled with water and could not reach Tauranga. The Captain tried to reach the beach on Motiti Island, but she was wrecked on the rocks. Nellie's demise is recorded in the Register of Shipwrecks. A judicial enquiry was held in Tauranga.
Captain Alexander George Armstrong lost his certificate for a month and was fined costs of the enquiry.

Vivien Edwards, Te Puna.