Magazine Bay, Lyttelton: Difference between revisions

 

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=== Erskine Point gun emplacement (1890) ===

=== Erskine Point gun emplacement (1890) ===

A gun emplacement was built in 1890 at Erskine Point on the headland above the east side of Magazine Bay. The gun was a seven-inch, seven-ton, rifled muzzle-loader. It was transferred to the site from a gun emplacement at Wellington Botanic Gardens. The gun emplacement was decommissioned by 1905, and stripped for salvage in the 1930s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tāpoa {{!}} Baker’s Bay {{!}} Magazine Bay |url=https://www.teuaka.org.nz/stories/taiao-world/tapoa-bakers-bay-magazine-bay |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250430044043/https://www.teuaka.org.nz/stories/taiao-world/tapoa-bakers-bay-magazine-bay |archive-date=30 April 2025 |access-date=12 October 2025 |website=Te Ūaka The Lyttelton Museum |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2 July 1953 |title=Old cannon site as domain: Area at Erskine Point |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19530702.2.65 |work=[[The Press]] |pages=8 |via=[[Papers Past]] |volume=LXXXIX |issue=27081}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=25 February 2015 |title=District Plan – Listed Heritage Place. Heritage Assessment – Statement of Significance. Heritage Item No 1136. Erskine Point Gun Emplacement and Setting – 8 Park Terrace, Lyttelton. |url=https://districtplan.ccc.govt.nz/Images/DistrictPlanImages/Statement%20of%20Significance/Banks%20Peninsula/HID%201136.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206090400/https://districtplan.ccc.govt.nz/Images/DistrictPlanImages/Statement%20of%20Significance/Banks%20Peninsula/HID%201136.pdf |archive-date=6 February 2023 |access-date=12 October 2025 |website=[[Christchurch City Council]]}}</ref>

A gun emplacement was built in 1890 at Erskine Point on the headland above the east side of Magazine Bay. The gun was a seven-inch, seven-ton, rifled muzzle-loader. It was transferred to the site from a gun emplacement at Wellington Botanic Gardens. The gun emplacement was decommissioned by 1905, and stripped for salvage in the 1930s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tāpoa {{!}} Baker’s Bay {{!}} Magazine Bay |url=https://www.teuaka.org.nz/stories/taiao-world/tapoa-bakers-bay-magazine-bay |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250430044043/https://www.teuaka.org.nz/stories/taiao-world/tapoa-bakers-bay-magazine-bay |archive-date=30 April 2025 |access-date=12 October 2025 |website=Te Ūaka The Lyttelton Museum |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2 July 1953 |title=Old cannon site as domain: Area at Erskine Point |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19530702.2.65 |work=[[The Press]] |pages=8 |via=[[Papers Past]] |volume=LXXXIX |issue=27081}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=25 February 2015 |title=District Plan Listed Heritage Place. Heritage Assessment Statement of Significance. Heritage Item No 1136. Erskine Point Gun Emplacement and Setting 8 Park Terrace, Lyttelton. |url=https://districtplan.ccc.govt.nz/Images/DistrictPlanImages/Statement%20of%20Significance/Banks%20Peninsula/HID%201136.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206090400/https://districtplan.ccc.govt.nz/Images/DistrictPlanImages/Statement%20of%20Significance/Banks%20Peninsula/HID%201136.pdf |archive-date=6 February 2023 |access-date=12 October 2025 |website=[[Christchurch City Council]]}}</ref>

=== Marina ===

=== Marina ===

Magazine Bay was proposed as a location for a small boat marina as early as 1920.<ref name=”:0″>{{Cite news |date=19 February 1920 |title=News in Brief |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/SUNCH19200219.2.18 |work=[[The Sun (New Zealand newspaper)|Sun (Christchurch)]] |page=4 |volume=VII |issue=1877}}</ref> In 1931, the [[Lyttelton Harbour Board]] reviewed a proposal for establishing a harbour for small boats, outside of the existing inner harbour. One of the options considered was in Magazine Bay. The estimated cost of establishing the boat harbour was £132,000.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TS19310330.2.105|title=Boat harbour would cost over £132,000|date=30 March 1931|work=[[The Star (Christchurch)]]|volume=XLIV|issue=76|page=7|via=[[Papers Past]]}}</ref> A further proposal was raised in 1947, as a response to the shortage of available moorings for small craft in the inner harbour.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 October 1947 |title=Harbour for small craft: Proposal for Magazine Bay |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19471002.2.31 |work=[[The Press]] |pages=3 |via=[[Papers Past]] |volume=LXXXIII |issue=25304}}</ref> The depth of soft mud in the area proposed for the marina would require large quantities of rubble to create a breakwater.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 December 1947 |title=Proposed boat harbour: Engineer’s report to the Board – Magazine Bay Scheme |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19471211.2.50 |via=[[Papers Past]] |volume=LXXXIII |issue=25364}}</ref> In 1959, the Harbour Board stated that it would not provide additional moorings for small yachts and launches, because of the capital cost. It noted that while Magazine Bay had the potential for small boat moorings, the exposure to southerly gales would require costly protection works.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 March 1959 |title=No new moorings for yachts at Lyttelton |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19590305.2.68 |work=[[The Press]] |page=9 |via=[[Papers Past]] |volume=XCVIII |issue=28836}}</ref> A proposal for a small boat harbour at Magazine Bay was raised again in 1964, but the Harbour Board indicated it was not in a position to proceed at that time.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 June 1964 |title=Board asked to act on small craft harbour |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19640604.2.89 |work=[[The Press]] |pages=9 |via=[[Papers Past]] |volume=CIII |issue=30458}}</ref> Timber piling was tested as a cheap form of breakwater, but this was not found to be practical in the Lyttelton conditions.<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 November 1968 |title=Timber Piling In Cass Bay Impractical |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19681107.2.60 |work=[[The Press]] |pages=9 |via=[[The Press]] |volume=CVIII |issue=31830}}</ref>[[File:Harbour – Erskine Point in Lyttelton, New Zealand.jpg|thumb|View towards Tāpoa/ Erskine Point and the Magazine Bay marina in 2019]]

Magazine Bay was proposed as a location for a small boat marina as early as 1920.<ref name=”:0″>{{Cite news |date=19 February 1920 |title=News in Brief |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/SUNCH19200219.2.18 |work=[[The Sun (New Zealand newspaper)|Sun (Christchurch)]] |page=4 |volume=VII |issue=1877}}</ref> In 1931, the [[Lyttelton Harbour Board]] reviewed a proposal for establishing a harbour for small boats, outside of the existing inner harbour. One of the options considered was in Magazine Bay. The estimated cost of establishing the boat harbour was £132,000.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TS19310330.2.105|title=Boat harbour would cost over £132,000|date=30 March 1931|work=[[The Star (Christchurch)]]|volume=XLIV|issue=76|page=7|via=[[Papers Past]]}}</ref> A further proposal was raised in 1947, as a response to the shortage of available moorings for small craft in the inner harbour.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 October 1947 |title=Harbour for small craft: Proposal for Magazine Bay |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19471002.2.31 |work=[[The Press]] |pages=3 |via=[[Papers Past]] |volume=LXXXIII |issue=25304}}</ref> The depth of soft mud in the area proposed for the marina would require large quantities of rubble to create a breakwater.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 December 1947 |title=Proposed boat harbour: Engineer’s report to the Board Magazine Bay Scheme |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19471211.2.50 |via=[[Papers Past]] |volume=LXXXIII |issue=25364}}</ref> In 1959, the Harbour Board stated that it would not provide additional moorings for small yachts and launches, because of the capital cost. It noted that while Magazine Bay had the potential for small boat moorings, the exposure to southerly gales would require costly protection works.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 March 1959 |title=No new moorings for yachts at Lyttelton |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19590305.2.68 |work=[[The Press]] |page=9 |via=[[Papers Past]] |volume=XCVIII |issue=28836}}</ref> A proposal for a small boat harbour at Magazine Bay was raised again in 1964, but the Harbour Board indicated it was not in a position to proceed at that time.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 June 1964 |title=Board asked to act on small craft harbour |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19640604.2.89 |work=[[The Press]] |pages=9 |via=[[Papers Past]] |volume=CIII |issue=30458}}</ref> Timber piling was tested as a cheap form of breakwater, but this was not found to be practical in the Lyttelton conditions.<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 November 1968 |title=Timber Piling In Cass Bay Impractical |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19681107.2.60 |work=[[The Press]] |pages=9 |via=[[The Press]] |volume=CVIII |issue=31830}}</ref>[[File:Harbour – Erskine Point in Lyttelton, New Zealand.jpg|thumb|View towards Tāpoa/ Erskine Point and the Magazine Bay marina in 2019]]

In 1979, the Harbour Board undertook testing of a floating breakwater made from tyres near Magazine Bay, as a more economic solution than a conventional breakwater.<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 March 1979 |title=Floating harbour for Lyttelton will cost $4M |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19790308.2.3 |work=[[The Press]] |pages=1 |via=[[Papers Past]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=25 August 1979 |title=Fees for planned breakwater set |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19790825.2.138 |work=[[The Press]] |page=23 |via=[[Papers Past]]}}</ref> In September 1980, the Harbour Board reported on the performance of the experimental floating-tyre breakwater, and forecast that berths in a planned marina at at Magazine Bay could become available by early 1982.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 September 1980 |title=Magazine Bay Breakwater |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19800905.2.58.3 |work=[[The Press]] |page=5 |via=[[Papers Past]]}}</ref> The marina was officially opened on 17 November 1982. It was partially complete at the time, with provision for 82 berths, and was protected by a {{Convert|300|m|ft|adj=mid|-long}} floating breakwater made from tyres filled with [[Polystyrene|polystyrene foam]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 November 1982 |title=Magazine Bay marina opened |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19821118.2.23 |work=[[The Press]] |page=3 |via=[[Papers Past]]}}</ref> The marina development was intended to expand to ultimately accommodate 238 berths.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 February 2000 |title=Early marina demand positive |work=[[The Press]] |page=19 |id={{ProQuest|314244835}}}}</ref>

In 1979, the Harbour Board undertook testing of a floating breakwater made from tyres near Magazine Bay, as a more economic solution than a conventional breakwater.<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 March 1979 |title=Floating harbour for Lyttelton will cost $4M |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19790308.2.3 |work=[[The Press]] |pages=1 |via=[[Papers Past]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=25 August 1979 |title=Fees for planned breakwater set |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19790825.2.138 |work=[[The Press]] |page=23 |via=[[Papers Past]]}}</ref> In September 1980, the Harbour Board reported on the performance of the experimental floating-tyre breakwater, and forecast that berths in a planned marina at at Magazine Bay could become available by early 1982.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 September 1980 |title=Magazine Bay Breakwater |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19800905.2.58.3 |work=[[The Press]] |page=5 |via=[[Papers Past]]}}</ref> The marina was officially opened on 17 November 1982. It was partially complete at the time, with provision for 82 berths, and was protected by a {{Convert|300|m|ft|adj=mid|-long}} floating breakwater made from tyres filled with [[Polystyrene|polystyrene foam]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 November 1982 |title=Magazine Bay marina opened |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19821118.2.23 |work=[[The Press]] |page=3 |via=[[Papers Past]]}}</ref> The marina development was intended to expand to ultimately accommodate 238 berths.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 February 2000 |title=Early marina demand positive |work=[[The Press]] |page=19 |id={{ProQuest|314244835}}}}</ref>

On 13 October 2000, the Magazine Bay marina was wrecked in a severe southerly storm,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Van Beynen |first=Martin |date=13 October 2000 |title=Rain, wind and mayhem |work=[[The Press]] |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|314340262}}}}</ref> and more than 30 small boats were sunk. Total losses were estimated at $8 million.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Espiner |first=Colin |last2=Robson |first2=Seth |date=14 October 2000 |title=Inquiry into marina ruin |work=[[The Press]] |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|314362137}}}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=9 October 2010 |title=Lyttelton’s bad Friday |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/christchurch-life/4214523/Lytteltons-bad-Friday |access-date=11 October 2025 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |archive-date=10 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010220716/https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/christchurch-life/4214523/Lytteltons-bad-Friday |url-status=live }}</ref> Wreckage from the floating breakwater was retrieved and left at Naval Point for almost two decades, leading to polystyrene degrading and being lost into the environment.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hayward |first=Michael |date=23 January 2020 |title=Polystyrene blocks from wrecked pontoon left to degrade for almost two decades |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/118923783/polystyrene-blocks-from-wrecked-pontoon-left-to-degrade-for-almost-two-decades |access-date=14 October 2025 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]}}</ref> Work to remove the wreckage from the Naval Point site commenced in 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hayward |first=Michael |date=6 May 2020 |title=Polystyrene wreckage of Lyttelton pontoon to be cleaned up after almost 20 years |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/121420191/polystyrene-wreckage-of-lyttelton-pontoon-to-be-cleaned-up-after-almost-20-years |access-date=14 October 2025 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=30 July 2020 |title=Damaged pontoons being removed from Lyttelton |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-christchurch/damaged-pontoons-being-removed-lyttelton |access-date=14 October 2025 |work=Star News}}</ref>

On 13 October 2000, the Magazine Bay marina was wrecked in a severe southerly storm,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Van Beynen |first=Martin |date=13 October 2000 |title=Rain, wind and mayhem |work=[[The Press]] |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|314340262}}}}</ref> and more than 30 small boats were sunk. Total losses were estimated at $8 million.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Espiner |first=Colin |last2=Robson |first2=Seth |date=14 October 2000 |title=Inquiry into marina ruin |work=[[The Press]] |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|314362137}}}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=9 October 2010 |title=Lyttelton’s bad Friday |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/christchurch-life/4214523/Lytteltons-bad-Friday |access-date=11 October 2025 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |archive-date=10 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010220716/https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/christchurch-life/4214523/Lytteltons-bad-Friday |url-status=live }}</ref> Wreckage from the floating breakwater was retrieved and left at Naval Point for almost two decades, leading to polystyrene degrading and being lost into the environment.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hayward |first=Michael |date=23 January 2020 |title=Polystyrene blocks from wrecked pontoon left to degrade for almost two decades |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/118923783/polystyrene-blocks-from-wrecked-pontoon-left-to-degrade-for-almost-two-decades |access-date=14 October 2025 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]}}</ref> Work to remove the wreckage from the Naval Point site commenced in 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hayward |first=Michael |date=6 May 2020 |title=Polystyrene wreckage of Lyttelton pontoon to be cleaned up after almost 20 years |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/121420191/polystyrene-wreckage-of-lyttelton-pontoon-to-be-cleaned-up-after-almost-20-years |access-date=14 October 2025 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=30 July 2020 |title=Damaged pontoons being removed from Lyttelton |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-christchurch/damaged-pontoons-being-removed-lyttelton |access-date=14 October 2025 |work=Star News}}</ref>

In 2020, as part the development of the Naval Point – Te Nukutai o Tapoa multi-use facilities, the Banks Peninsula Community Board requested the closure of the Magazine Bay marina.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 December 2020 |title=Plan for Naval Point gets Board approval |id={{ProQuest|2465909565}}}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=28 January 2021 |title=Magazine Bay Marina to close |url=https://www.newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/magazine-bay-marina-to-close |access-date=14 October 2025 |website=Christchurch City Council: Newsline |language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The development of Naval Point – Te Nukutai o Tapoa |url=https://ccc.govt.nz/the-council/future-projects/major-facilities/naval-point |access-date=12 October 2025 |website=[[Christchurch City Council]] |language=en-NZ |archive-date=24 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250524123543/https://ccc.govt.nz/the-council/future-projects/major-facilities/naval-point |url-status=live }}</ref> Demolition commenced in September 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 August 2023 |title=Demolition of ‘deteriorating’ Lyttelton marina to start |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-christchurch/demolition-deteriorating-lyttelton-marina-start |access-date=12 October 2025 |work=Star News |archive-date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809215731/https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-christchurch/demolition-deteriorating-lyttelton-marina-start |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2020, as part the development of the Naval Point Te Nukutai o Tapoa multi-use facilities, the Banks Peninsula Community Board requested the closure of the Magazine Bay marina.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 December 2020 |title=Plan for Naval Point gets Board approval |id={{ProQuest|2465909565}}}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=28 January 2021 |title=Magazine Bay Marina to close |url=https://www.newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/magazine-bay-marina-to-close |access-date=14 October 2025 |website=Christchurch City Council: Newsline |language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The development of Naval Point – Te Nukutai o Tapoa |url=https://ccc.govt.nz/the-council/future-projects/major-facilities/naval-point |access-date=12 October 2025 |website=[[Christchurch City Council]] |language=en-NZ |archive-date=24 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250524123543/https://ccc.govt.nz/the-council/future-projects/major-facilities/naval-point |url-status=live }}</ref> Demolition commenced in September 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 August 2023 |title=Demolition of ‘deteriorating’ Lyttelton marina to start |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-christchurch/demolition-deteriorating-lyttelton-marina-start |access-date=12 October 2025 |work=Star News |archive-date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809215731/https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-christchurch/demolition-deteriorating-lyttelton-marina-start |url-status=live }}</ref>

==References==

==References==

Bay

Magazine Bay is a small bay in Lyttelton Harbour in the South Island of New Zealand. It is located to the west of the Naval Point reclamation, between the inner harbour of the Port of Lyttelton, and Corsair Bay. The bay takes its name from the 1874 powder magazine building located above the shoreline. The magazine is a Category 1 listed Historic Place. Prior to 1900 the bay was the location of a shipyard, and a shed and slipway for a torpedo boat. A gun emplacement was constructed in 1890 on the headland at Erskine Point above the magazine.

Magazine Bay was proposed as the location for a small boat harbour on multiple occasions over the years from 1920 to the 1970s, but none of the proposals went ahead because of the high costs of establishing a conventional breakwater to provide protection from southerly gales. In 1979, the Harbour Board conducted tests on a floating breakwater made from car tyres, and in 1982 opened a boat marina protected by a 300-metre-long (980 ft) floating breakwater. The breakwater was wrecked in a severe southerly storm in October 2000, and more than 30 small boats were sunk. The Magazine Bay marina was eventually demolished in 2023 as part of a development project at Naval Point, to the east of the bay.

The Māori name of the bay is Tāpoa, meaning ‘wind swirling around’. The earliest European name given to the area is Bakers Bay, but the bay has been known by several other names including Brownings, Erskine, Flea, Grubbs, and Senior. The bay is referred to as Magazine Bay in sources from around 1920,^[4] and this name is the current official name recognised by the New Zealand Geographic Board.^[5]

Magazine Bay is located to the west of the Naval Point reclamation, between the inner harbour of the Port of Lyttelton, and Corsair Bay. It is surrounded by volcanic cliffs. There is no public vehicle access to Magazine Bay and no car park. However, there is walking access off Park Terrace, and a walking track from Corsair Bay. There is also a steep track from the rear of the Naval Point Yacht Club.

In the 1860s, the bay was used as a convenient place to offload livestock directly from a ship, rather than from a wharf in the inner harbour. The Grubb & Co shipyard and slipway operated in the bay from 1874 through until at least 1897.

In January 1874, the Canterbury Provincial Council approved an estimate of £575 for construction of a powder magazine and jetty in the bay.^[7] Tenders for construction were called in February.^[8] The building was completed by November 1874, and was used for the storage of black powder, ammunition, and explosives for use in the construction of roads and railways. In 1875, tenders were called for the construction of a cottage for the keeper of the magazine. In 1875, the bay was designated as a public domain for recreation purposes. The keeper of the powder magazine was made responsible for the domain.

Military ammunition was stored in the magazine until 1945.^[10][11] In 1995, the magazine and its associated seawall were listed as a Category 1 Historic Place.^[10]

The roof frame of the magazine building and its slate roof tiles were stolen at some point. However, as part of restoration of the magazine building by Project Port Lyttelton in 1999, the roof was replaced using slate tiles imported from the same quarry in Wales where the original tiles had been made.^[12]

A spar torpedo boat, HMS Defender built by John I. Thornycroft & Company in 1883 arrived in Lyttelton in 1884, to assist in the defence of the port.^[13] A boat shed to house the torpedo boat was built in the bay and completed in May 1885. The torpedo boat shed and its slipway was located between the workshop and slipway operated by Grubb & Co. The torpedo boat was never used in defence of the port, and it was sold in 1900. The hull was abandoned at Purau.^[15] In 1993, a group of local enthusiasts located the remains of the boat. In 2003 a small museum was established in the magazine building to house and display the remains of the torpedo boat.^[16][17] The Lyttelton Torpedo Boat Museum Charitable Trust has held a lease on the magazine building since 2004.^[10]

A gun emplacement was built in 1890 at Erskine Point on the headland above the east side of Magazine Bay. The gun was a seven-inch, seven-ton, rifled muzzle-loader. It was transferred to the site from a gun emplacement at Wellington Botanic Gardens. The gun emplacement was decommissioned by 1905, and stripped for salvage in the 1930s.^[18][19][20]

Magazine Bay was proposed as a location for a small boat marina as early as 1920.^[4] In 1931, the Lyttelton Harbour Board reviewed a proposal for establishing a harbour for small boats, outside of the existing inner harbour. One of the options considered was in Magazine Bay. The estimated cost of establishing the boat harbour was £132,000.^[21] A further proposal was raised in 1947, as a response to the shortage of available moorings for small craft in the inner harbour.^[22] The depth of soft mud in the area proposed for the marina would require large quantities of rubble to create a breakwater.^[23] In 1959, the Harbour Board stated that it would not provide additional moorings for small yachts and launches, because of the capital cost. It noted that while Magazine Bay had the potential for small boat moorings, the exposure to southerly gales would require costly protection works.^[24] A proposal for a small boat harbour at Magazine Bay was raised again in 1964, but the Harbour Board indicated it was not in a position to proceed at that time.^[25] Timber piling was tested as a cheap form of breakwater, but this was not found to be practical in the Lyttelton conditions.^[26]

In 1979, the Harbour Board undertook testing of a floating breakwater made from tyres near Magazine Bay, as a more economic solution than a conventional breakwater.^[27][28] In September 1980, the Harbour Board reported on the performance of the experimental floating-tyre breakwater, and forecast that berths in a planned marina at at Magazine Bay could become available by early 1982.^[29] The marina was officially opened on 17 November 1982. It was partially complete at the time, with provision for 82 berths, and was protected by a 300-metre-long (980 ft) floating breakwater made from tyres filled with polystyrene foam.^[30] The marina development was intended to expand to ultimately accommodate 238 berths.^[31]

On 13 October 2000, the Magazine Bay marina was wrecked in a severe southerly storm,^[32] and more than 30 small boats were sunk. Total losses were estimated at $8 million.^[33][34] Wreckage from the floating breakwater was retrieved and left at Naval Point for almost two decades, leading to polystyrene degrading and being lost into the environment.^[35] Work to remove the wreckage from the Naval Point site commenced in 2020.^[36][37]

In 2020, as part the development of the Naval Point – Te Nukutai o Tapoa multi-use facilities, the Banks Peninsula Community Board requested the closure of the Magazine Bay marina.^[38][39][40] Demolition commenced in September 2023.^[41]