1863 HMS Orpheus shipwreck
A series of minor errors and bad luck caused the disaster. Commodore William Burnett was in a hurry and decided to berth at Onehunga instead of the Waitemata. This was unfortunate, since he carried outdated charts and the channel had moved. After signalling him to take the bar, port staff issued a warning when they realised he was off course. The Orpheus missed the message. The only seaman aboard the corvette who knew the harbour was ignored.
After the ship hit the bar, its engines seized, pushing it onto its side. Then the seas cut up, pounding the Orpheus murderously. As the ship sank into the sand, the men climbed into the rigging. Unfortunately neither the signal station nor a departing steamer realised what was happening. Rescuers arrived too late to prevent the catastrophe as the masts collapsed throwing the officers and men into the sea. Of the 259 aboard, 189 died. It remains New Zealand’s worst maritime disaster.
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