“The Union Steamship Company boat Kawatiri…very narrowly escaped being wrecked when entering Macquarie Harbor yesterday morning. The steamer crossed the bar in safety and was passing between the lighthouse and the mainland through the narrow strait known as Hell Gate when her machinery broke down injuring the shafting. The steamer struck Lighthouse Rock with her prow and fell back on the mainland, which she bumped by the stern, but the tide carried her into the harbor and out of danger.” The Daily Telegraph, March 26, 1900. 7 years later, very close to the same place, the Kawatiri would not have such a lucky escape.
Ship Name: Kawatiri
Built: 1882
Nationality: New Zealand
Tonnage: 516 tons
Ship Type: Iron Screw Steamer
Year Wrecked: 1907
Location Wrecked: Macquarie Heads, Tasmania
Reason For Wreck: Attempted the dangerous passage on a dark and stormy night.
Lives Lost: 6
Sources:
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/10156529?searchTerm=kawatiri%20shipwreck
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/186374209?searchTerm=kawatiri%20shipwreck
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/221264020?searchTerm=kawatiri%20shipwreck
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/90406571?searchTerm=kawatiri%20shipwreck
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9930556?searchTerm=kawatiri%20shipwreck
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/186374080?searchTerm=kawatiri%20shipwreck
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9930263?searchTerm=kawatiri%20shipwreck
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/237159047?searchTerm=kawatiri%20shipwreck
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/25710480
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HAST19070815.2.8.1
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TC19070817.2.14.1
