Today in History

1863 Sinking of HMS Orpheus - NZ's worst shipwreck

Britain’s costliest day of the New Zealand Wars occurred far from the battlefield. On 7 February 1863 the Royal Navy’s steam corvette HMS Orpheus, bringing supplies and reinforcements, hit the Manukau Harbour bar. The 1706-ton ship was modern and powerful, but it was no match for the treacherous Manukau entrance whose channels and submerged sandbars move frequently.

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 This was unfortunate, since he carried outdated charts and the channel had moved.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. 

Image: Wreck of the Orpheus (Te Ara)