The Mysterious Canoe Sighting that Predicted a Devastating Eruption in 1886
The fascinating tale of a local legend born from events surrounding a 19th century eruption of a New Zealand volcano still captivates both sceptics and folklorists.
Could a supernatural vision of a Maori warrior-laden canoe have foretold the eruption that would eventually cover the so-called “ninth wonder of the world”?
The canoe (known as a waka) appeared on Lake Tarawera in New Zealand’s North Island on May 31, 1886, shrouded in mist.
Witnesses, both Maori lake guides and European tourists, described the canoe as being rowed by a spectral crew.
When the guides attempted to communicate with the canoe, it disappeared without a trace, sparking the beginning of a haunting ghost story in New Zealand.
Just eleven days later, on June 10, Mt. Tarawera, overlooking the lake and part of the North Island’s geothermal area, erupted in the early morning hours.
This eruption, one of New Zealand’s most significant volcanic events in history, split the mountain along multiple vents, creating new volcanic peaks and releasing a massive amount of ash, rock, and steam 10 kilometers into the atmosphere.
Related Stories
Prior to the eruption, a series of earthquakes had been felt even in Auckland and resulted in the destruction of several villages, including Te Wairoa, buried under tons of volcanic debris. The exact death toll remains uncertain, but it’s estimated that around 120 people lost their lives.
Eyewitness Accounts
Ghosts have been reported throughout history by people from all cultural backgrounds, often based on anecdotal evidence or visual patterns interpreted through phenomena like “pareidolia.”
This skepticism is further fueled by attempts to debunk sightings that science deems impossible.
However, the accounts of the ghostly waka on the lake were notable for their consistency among tourists and a respected guide named Sofia.
No war canoe was known to have been present at the lake during that time by the locals.
Witnesses described the waka being rowed by warriors, some wearing flax robes and others standing with bowed heads.
The Maori guides were said to be terrified by the warriors, who had feathers from the Huia and white heron birds in their hair, a ceremonial practice typically reserved for the passing of a tribal member.
“After sailing for some time we saw in the distance a large boat, looking glorious in the mist and the sunlight. It was full of Maoris, some standing up, and it was near enough for me to see the sun glittering on the paddles. The boat was hailed but returned no answer. We thought so little of it at the time that Dr. Ralph did not even turn to look at the canoe, and until our return to Te Wairoa in the evening we never gave it another thought.”
Ms. Sise mentioned that their Indigenous hosts also witnessed the apparition, “Then to our surprise, we found the Maoris in great excitement, and heard from McCrae [a permanent resident] and other Europeans that no such boat had ever been on the lake.”
Supporting the adventurers’ claims of encountering something inexplicable, a second boat full of tourists and guides reported seeing the same waka. One passenger, Josiah Martin, even made a sketch of their sighting.
The Ninth Wonder of the World
The eruption buried the renowned geological features known as the Pink and White Terraces, once hailed as wonders of the 19th century world.
Located on the shores of Lake Rotomahana, which flowed into Lake Tarawera, the Pink Terrace, also known as Otukapuarangi (“fountain of the clouded sky”), was a delicate pink silica terrace. The White Terrace, or Te Tarata (“the tattooed rock”), was a larger formation with cascading white terraces formed from mineral deposits from heated water sources.
In recent times, efforts have been made to locate the remains of these terraces using modern technology.
In 2011, scientists claimed to have found what they believe to be a part of the Pink Terraces, submerged 60 meters underwater in Lake Rotomahana. However, their exact location and condition remain largely unknown.
Perhaps a Mirage?
Over the years, scholars and enthusiasts have proposed various explanations for the mysterious sighting on the lake in 1886.
Some suggest that witnesses may have misinterpreted what they saw or were surprised by a waka launched into the lake without local knowledge.
Another theory posits that the tourists may have encountered a Fata Morgana mirage—a type of superior mirage seen above ice or water, distorting and elongating objects.
These mirages, often associated with legends and folklore, have been considered supernatural or magical due to their striking appearance, with the name “Fata Morgana” originating from the Arthurian sorceress Morgan le Fay.
While the validity of this explanation is debated among believers and the scientific community, the eerie spectre’s story will continue to endure in local folklore until proven otherwise.
