SS Cawarra

The "Cawarra" was a paddle-steamer that sank in 1866 in Newcastle harbour, New South Wales, Australia with the loss of 60 lives. The sinking was one of the worst maritime disasters in Australian history.

The Brisbane-bound passenger vessel had become caught in rough seas off the east coast of Australia during storms that sank 14 other ships and resulted in 77 deaths between Port Stephens in the north and Sydney in the south. As the ship enetered Newcastle harbour to take shelter it was plundered by waves and sank, bow first, before thousands of onlookers who had gathered along the harbour shoreline to watch the stricken passenger ship. Its wreckage was recovered and after removing items of value it was dumped on the Oyster Bank.

Of the 61 passengers and crew on board, only one survivor was rescued. [cite web|url=http://www.dunbarfamilysociety.org.uk/DATA/Duncan_Dunbar/Duncan_s_Ships/duncan_s_ships_21.html|title=Duncan's Ships|publisher=Dunbar Family Society|accessdate=13 August|accessyear=2007]

The wreck today sits beneath the wreckage of three more vessels that have since foundered in the harbour. Along with other wrecks they were used in the construction of the Stockton breakwall where plaques commemorate the loss of each of the ships including the "Cawarra".

References

ee also

*Dunbar (shipwreck)
*List of disasters in Australia by death toll