Page 24 - rigneymaster

One Man’s Goldfield: the story of the Horseshoe Bend Diggings, William Rigney and Somebody’s Darling

The cable was moved in 1888 to the site favoured by the residents. This site had
gentle approaches, was relatively low, and in a more open part of the river.
Unfortunately, the very attributes which made this site less frightening also made it
more demanding. The span of the cable was considerably longer than at the first site
and the sag this created presented a challenge for those pulling the cage across the
river. William Rigney was asked to inspect the cable and as a result of his report a
continuous rope was installed to make crossings a bit easier on the arms. The
continuous rope went from one end of the cage to the river bank, around a pulley and
across the river to a second pulley, and then to the other end of the cage. This
system replaced the earlier two rope set-up which consisted of a rope tied to each
bank and to either end of the cage. The ropes were suspended from the main cable
by loops. As you pulled in on one rope to cross the river, the other rope was paid out
behind you.

Link to site of abutment of second cableway in Google maps

In 1895 the cable was moved for a third time to a site both geographically and
psychologically between the first two sites. Here the span was short enough to
minimise sag but the gorge was wide enough to avoid the stomach gripping
sensations of being launched from the first site's vertical walls. Access was easy from
either side of the river and the cable was high enough to avoid all floods. The cable
stayed in this location for eighteen years and the lesson of compromise was
apparently well learnt by all parties. When the cable was replaced with a strong
wooden suspension bridge in 1913 the site chosen was very close to the third cable
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site, and at the same height above the river.

Link to site of abutment of second / third? cableway in Google maps

No visible remains of the first cable site are known to the author. This is perhaps not
surprising as it was in use for only a year. The west bank abutment of the second site
still remains, a substantial stonework platform in the willows at the upstream end of
the beach below the gorge (and almost directly opposite the lonely graves). The east
bank abutment of the third cable site is well preserved a short distance downstream
from the bridge, and the west bank landing site for this cable is clear although there is
no stone abutment.

The suspension bridge built in 1913 is still in quite good condition, and is still used. It
is behind the hill at the back of the farmhouse and cannot be easily seen from the
road.

Link to site of swing bridge in Google maps

These were the official river crossings at the Bend. A number of pipelines crossed the
river at various points carrying water from the hills in the east to claims on the west
bank. These pipelines were used by miners to cross the river, an operation which
would require good nerves and balance, and one which the miners are said to have
regularly undertaken on their return home from the hotel, without recorded incident.

24 Marks, Robin "Hammer and Tap; Shaping Tuapeka County, 1876-1976" Tuapeka County Council. 1977

© Jeff Robertson 24