1894 Wairarapa shipwreck

The Wairarapa was a well-known steamer plying the route between Auckland and Sydney. Only weeks before this tragedy the ship had set a record for crossing the Tasman. On this fateful trip the Wairarapa was carrying 170 passengers and 65 crew.

In thickening fog, Captain J.S. McIntosh maintained 13 knots, nearly full speed. A number of crew and passengers were concerned that the ship was going too fast. Shortly after midnight the steamer slammed against cliffs of Great Barrier Island. As water began to flood in through a hole in the hull, the Wairarapa listed to one side. Many of those on board slid off the deck into the sea; others were swept away by heavy seas. Horses, sheep and other cargo were also swept overboard, adding to the confusion and risk for those in the water. Two lifeboats rescued 50 people from the sea, but other boats were smashed or swamped when they hit the water.

Those passengers and crew left on board either clung to the rigging or climbed to the ship's bridge. When daylight arrived a steward swam to shore with a line. Passengers were then hauled through the water. The survivors huddled on the rocks for more than 30 hours before being rescued by local Maori. As the only contact with the island at the time was via a weekly steamer, news of the shipwreck took three days to reach Auckland

In all, 101 of the 186 passengers and 20 of the 65 crew died. The resulting Court of Enquiry found that Captain McIntosh's actions were the primary cause of the tragedy. As well as maintaining excessive speed, he was judged to have taken the wrong course from Three Kings Islands and not made allowance for currents.