Go to home page - New Zealand History online

Today in History

Sinking of HMS Orpheus - NZ's worst shipwreck

7/2/1863 - Sinking of HMS Orpheus - NZ's worst shipwreck

The Royal Navy steam corvette HMS Orpheus was wrecked on the treacherous Manukau Harbour bar. Of the 259 men on board, 189 lost their lives in New Zealand's worst maritime disaster.

What happened that day?