The Echo

Location: Picton Harbour, by Shelly Beach.

Our heritage comes in all shapes and forms.  Marlborough is particularly blessed to have two well-loved historic vessels located on the margins of Picton Harbour - the Edwin Fox and the Echo. 

They both contribute to the harbour atmosphere, to the obvious very important maritime heritage aspect, and to the Marlborough economy. They represent the best of all worlds in terms of heritage with us. 

The Echo was built in 1905 as a topsail schooner with a Hercules oil engine of 30 hp. Large centreboards were lowered to prevent leeward drift when sailing. For most of her life she sailed back and forth across Cook Strait between Blenheim and Wellington.

In 1942, she was requisitioned by the US Army as a supply ship for the New Hebrides and New Guinea area. Her war service was the theme of a Hollywood film released in 1961 called "The Wackiest Ship in the Army."

In 1972, the Echo was placed on the hard in her present position and fitted out as clubrooms for the Marlborough Cruising Club. The present owners purchased her in 1992 and set about the arduous task of making her reasonably ship shape and tidy.

Finally, in January 2004, they were able to open the Echo as a café and bar and to display the history of trading scows in New Zealand.