The cruel sea off Wellington's South Coast acted as the knackers yard for the once mighty and proud HMNZS Wellington. Thousands of Wellingtonians trooped out to see their city's naval namesake make its final downward journey.

Tragically, post-sinking many of these same people then thought it be a good idea to jump into their four wheel drives and leave, all at the same time. This tragic lack of foresight no doubt hastened the demise of cheap oil and is probably right now being discussed by OPEC. Needless to say it was far quicker to walk three or four kilometres from Island Bay around to waiting public transport at Lyall Bay.

ENDS