Crowds head for Lyttelton by tram to farewell Lieutenant Shackleton and his crew bound for Antarctica. His ship Nimrod is loaded at Lyttelton Harbour and inspected by Admiral Sir Wilmot Fawkes. The Nimrod sails out of the harbour escorted by well-wishers.
INTERTITLE BW: “Departure of the British Antarctic Expedition from Lyttelton N.Z., 1st Jan, 1908”.
INTERTITLE “Excursionists to Lyttelton leaving Cathedral Square, Christchurch”
WS GV Crowded double decker trams moving through Cathedral Square, pedestrians and cyclists travelling near rails on street - horse drawn carts at kerb in BG.
LS People alighting from, and boarding trams in Cathedral Square, crowded trams arriving and departing - empty tram sits in FG.
WS Crowds boarding double decker trams.
INTERTITLE “The exploring ship 'Nimrod' in Lyttelton Harbour.”
WS PAN L Across “The Nimrod” and the “The Koonya” moored at wharf - crowds walking on deck of Nimrod and on wharf near warehouses - smoke rises from funnel - small boat sails across harbour in FG, Lyttelton township in BG.
PAN R Across large ship moored at wharf with crowds of people stand on bow and at railings - many flags and ensigns hang from rigging of masts [HMS Challenger HMS Pegasus, HMS Pyramus], Lyttelton township in BG.
INTERTITLE: “Manchurian ponies and Esquimaux Dogs for the Expedition.”
Men leading pairs of ponies along hillside road past camera.
Man leading pony pulling small cart loaded with sacks.
WS Men standing with team of ponies checking bits and bridles.
WS 2 Men mounted on ponies as other ponies are sorted into line.
GV Ponies being led onto jetty and loaded aboard ship with cradle on crane - 1 pony is quite reluctant.
Men leading husky dogs along hillside road.
WS Men leading huskies onto jetty alongside ship.
INTERTITLE: “His Excellency Admiral Sir Wilmot Fawkes - Naval Commander-in-Chief, Australian Station visits and inspects the 'Nimrod’.”
MS Sir Wilmot Fawkes, his wife and naval officers boarding Nimrod and shaking hands with sailor - crowds stand on wharf nearby.
HS GV Overlooking Sir Wilmot Fawkes, Ernest Shackleton and others walking on deck of Nimrod with naval officers and sailors.
MS Sir Wilmot Fawkes ascending ladder towards gangway.
INTERTITLE: “All on board!”
WS Large crowd on wharf alongside Nimrod.
INTERTITLE: “Under Way”.
WS GV Nimrod steaming from port with large crowds lining wharves - Galilee (ship) and other large vessels moored in BG.
INTERTITLE: “A Salute from the Sea”.
LS Flags on floating buoys disappearing amidst explosions [underwater explosions]
INTERTITLE: “Lieut. Shackleton's message to New Zealand: ‘Good-bye and Thank You.’".
LS Nimrod steaming from port past ships moored at wharfs with crowds lining railings - small boat sails alongside Nimrod.
INTERTITLE: “Steaming down the Harbour.”
WS GV Large passenger ship and small passenger steamers crowded with people sailing from harbour - visibly listing listing to starboard due to crowds.
INTERTITLE “The ‘Nimrod’ and escort passing H.M.S. ‘Powerful’. Lieut. Shakleton (sic) waves his cap in response to three cheers from the flagship”.
WS Nimrod sailing from harbour with crew on deck and sailors waving flags handkerchiefs and hats - accompanied by large passenger ships and small passenger steamers [Purau] with crowds of people on deck and bows and lining railings - ships visibly listing.
INTERTITLE: “In the tow of the ‘Koonya’ ‘Good-bye and Good Luck’.”.
ELS Nimrod, Koonya [and tug Canterbury] sailing from harbour.
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19081202.2.32?query=FIRST%20shipping