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Russell Museum’s ship wing highlights the strong maritime theme that runs through the town. The 1/5th replica model of Cook’s Endeavour is central but tribute is also paid to the French presence. Marion du Fresne anchored nearby in 1772, and Dumont d’Urville made three visits between 1824 and 1840. Russell Museum has a model of Dumont d’Urville’s ship originally called La Coquille and later Astrolabe.
The ship wing also traces Russell’s development as a port of call for coastal shipping before adequate roads linked Northland to the rest of New Zealand. The coastal steamer Clansman is represented by an oil painting by one of its masters.
Kauri gum, coal and manganese were exported from the Port of Russell and even today Russell wharf is an important gateway for visitors to the town.
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Either a Phoenix or a Fixture
Russell Lights 2 July 2014, Updated 2022 Celebrations and festivals in Russell have a chequer board past – here one minute and gone the next. Our clubs are a bit the same – overflowing with members one year, struggling to pay the bills the next. Maybe it’s inevitable in such a small community. Many of…
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Fullers Launch Offices
Russell Lights – Vol 7 Issue 21 Alfred Ernest Fuller and his wife Maud Amy (nee Baker) began a small maritime cartage business, later expanding to excursion and game fishing launches and car ferries. By 1965 under sons, Norman and Neville, there were offices at Russell and Paihia to cope with the increasing number of…
