Grafton Castaways Build Island Workshop

In January 1864, a sailing ship named Grafton wrecked in Carnley Harbour in the Auckland Islands, leaving five men stranded for 18 months in what became known as the Grafton castaways, a real-life Gilligan's Island story. Using materials salvaged from the wreck, they built a thatched hut with glass windows and bookshelves and turned it into their main shelter. They constructed a forge to work metal, tanned leather, made soap from seashells, and even brewed beer from local plants to keep themselves supplied. After surviving through those 18 months, three of the men refitted the ship's dinghy and sailed to Stewart Island to arrange the rescue of the remaining two.

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