The Waimangu Geyser tragedy - Grave Story 122

The Waimangu geyser tragedy.

In the years up to 1904, every five to six hours a spectacular geyser erupted in the Waimangu Valley near Rotorua.
For a time the Waimangu geyser was considered the most powerful in the world, sending up a massive stream of black water, mud and rocks up to 460 metres into the air.
Tourists came from around New Zealand to see it and it gained worldwide attention.
Believed to have been created after the eruption of Mount Tarawera, it got its name from local Maori - Waimangu - meaning black waters.
For a while, trips were made to see it erupt.
But a tragedy in 1903, which killed four people, put a stop to the excitement.
Joseph Astbury Warbrick was born January 1, 1862, in Rotorua to Abraham Warbrick, from England, and mother, Nga Karauna Paera, the daughter of a Ngāti Rangitihi chief.
Joe went to boarding school where he learnt to play rugby union.
His rugby career, in various clubs around New Zealand, led to him representing the country on the 1884 tour of Australia and later captaining the 1888-89 New Zealand Native Football team which went on a 107-match-tour that included Australia and the British Isles.
After retiring from sport he worked as a tourist guide and in 1902 married Harriet Burt with whom he had one daughter.
On August 30, 1903, Joe was guiding a group at the geyser. He had already warned people not to get too close but followed one young lady who wanted to get closer to get a photograph.
A moment later the geyser erupted sending superheated water up and killing Joe, David McNaughton, and sisters Ruby and Catherine Nicholls.
Their bodies were carried in a rush of water into Lake Rotomahana.
An inquest called it an accident and said the deaths may not have happened if the warnings had been heeded.
In 1904 the geyser became dormant and there were smaller eruptions until it stopped altogether, becoming extinct in 1908.
Joe is buried at the Awakaponga Cemetery in Matata. The two Nicholls sisters are buried in St Paul's Anglican Church Cemetery in Papanui, Christchurch, while David McNaughton is in Purewa Cemetery in Auckland.