No doubt the most beautiful harbour in the world, Port Jackson was first sighted in 1770 by James Cook who remarked nonchalantly , "there appears to be a good anchorage" and named it after the Judge Advocate of the Fleet. He did not enter the formidable heads, but eighteen years later Arthur Phillip rejected Botany Bay as a settlement and entered the harbour, where he had "the satisfaction of finding the finest harbour in the world". The First Fleet entered the harbour on 26 January 1788, and it could be said, 'the rest is history'. There are few natural harbiours in the world which can rival Port Jackson in its size, protection in all weather, depth, and ease of access and navigation. Nevertheless there have been many tragic shipwrecks and collisions. The full area of Sydney Harbour extends over 5500 hectares, the deepest being 47 metres (between Dawes Point and Blues Point).  Sydney is one of the major ports of Auastralia, with no less than sixteen kilometres of commercial wharfage with just a few kilometres from the city. More and more tragic incidents have occurred in the harbour as the population of the new settlement at Sydney Cove grew into the exciting metropolis of today. The most tragic of modern-day accidents occurred on 3 November 1927 when the 7000 ton liner Tahiti sliced through one of Sydneys famous wooden ferries, killing at leats forty people. Even during wartime, Sydney Harbour provided excellent protection but three Japanese mini-subs managed to enter and although not greating any significant military damage, one sank the steamer Kuttabul with the loss fo nineteen young lives. It was, however, during the migration years of the mid to late nineteenth century that most tragic shipping incidents occurred, tragic not only in the loss of lives, but the circumstances of their loss, being so close to their new home after several months at seas. The fully-rigged ship Dunbar is just one example of such a tragedy, wrecked outside the Heads in 1858, with the loss of all but one of her complement. At 1321 tons she remains as the largest vessel lost in or near the harbour. The Catherine Adamson was another tragedy, with twenty lost - after she had negotiated the Heads. Most losses within the harbour have been as a result of collisions or fire, although six vessels have been lost on Sow and Pigs, one of the few navigation hazards within the harbour.
There are over three hundred vessels listed here. Of these, around ninety vessels were lost within the harbour. Others are listed as they attempted to enter the Heads, and were lost near to the entrance. Also included in this listing are those vessels scuttled in "the disposal area" which was actually off Long Reef, outside the harbour.

References:
The history of Port Jackson has been well documented, and most maritime incidents have been written down by a number of well respected authors. Although Loney [LN], and the Shipwreck Atlas of NSW [SAN] are the base for the listing, Gleeson [MGV],[MGS] adds significantly, as do Bateson [AS1] and Richards [MR]. Byron [TBN] provides valuable information on the current known wrecksites.
[321 records]

Associated links: NEW SOUTH WALES  NEWCASTLE

Acme. Iron screw steamer, 18 tons. #101060. Built NSW, 1892; reg. Sydney 81/1892. L 48.6 ft.  Lost Sydney Harbour, Walsh Bay, 6 June 1923.  [SAN]

Ada. Wooden barquentine, 435 tons. Built Great Britain, 1854; reg. Liverpool. L 130.5 ft.  Lost at Sydney Harbour, near Bradleys Head, 17 July 1865.  [SAN]

Agenoria.  Wooden paddle steamer, 51 tons. Built at Sydney, 1850.  Broken up and register closed in 1869. [LPA]

Agnes. Launch. Built NSW, 1904. Lost Sydney Harbour, 27 January 1906. [SAN]

Albert. Brigantine, 170 tons. Built Sydney, 1854. Broken up Sydney, 1892. [ASR]

Albion. Steamer, 806 gross. Built Greenock, UK, 1863. Lbd 218 x 27 x 15 ft. Ran between Melbourne and NZ until sold to Sydney buyers in 1868. After refiiting in Sydney, operated to NZ, Pacific islands and Japan. Sold in 1888 and renamed Centennial (qv). Sank in collision in Sydney Harbour, 1889.  [DG],[WL - lost 1888]

Albion. Wooden schooner,  143 tons. #40193 Built in Great Britain, 1816; reg. Sydney, 36/1857. L 81 ft.  Lost at North head, Sydney Harbour, 16 April 1867. [SAN]
It is possible that this is the same vessel listed below.
Albion. Schooner, 170 tons. Captain W. Watkins. Lost near Port Hacking, 20 March 1867. Five lives  lost. She had run on to a reef near the South Head, and soon commenced to break up, throwing the crew into the sea. Only two seamen, who clung to a piece of wreckage for more than eight hours, survived. [LN]. See above.

Aldinga. Iron screw steamship, collier, 446/259 tons. #36976. Built Greenock, Scotland, 1860; reg. Sydney, 50/1883. Lbd 202.6 x 24.6 x 13.4 ft. 'A most attractive looking vessel with three raking masts and two funnels. Operated on east coast Australia and Pacific islands. After use as a passenger vessel, considerably modified to a collier. From Wollomgong to South Bulli, struck Bellambi Reef, off Sydney heads, in the dark, wrecked , 20 January 1896. Crew saved.
[LN],[SAR],[ASR],[LAH],[DG - 466 tons, lost 22 January],[BNS]
In 1890, made several salvage trips to liner Riverina, Gabo Island.
@ Wrecksite known.

Alert. Brigantine, 170 tons. Reg. Sydney, 1854. Broken up, Sydney, 1892. [ASR]

Alfred. Wooden cutter, 9 tons. Built NSW, 1842; reg. Sydney, 32/1842. L 28.8 ft. Lost off North Head, Sydney, 1846. [SAN]
One has to be suspicious of the coincidence of a vessel of the same name lost at the same place in the same year, hence there is some justification to think that either the preceeding or following record is incorrect. The discrepency between a 9 ton cutter and a barque is to be noted.
Alfred. Barque. Struck by the steamer Rose off North Head, Port Jackson, and sank, 28 January 1846. No lives lost. The Rose survived. [LN],[ASW1]
Bateson indicates that the Afred was a barge, with a crew of two and one passenger. A barque, as indicated by Loney, would certainly require more crew.

Alice. Wooden schooner,  43 tons. Built NSW, 1847; reg. Sydney, 18/1847. L 49.5 ft. Lost 8 nm south-east of Sydney heads, 1848. [SAN]

Alice. Yacht. Lost in Sydney Harbour, 1938.  [SAN]

Anglian. Iron hulk, 2159 tons. #68820. Built Scotland, 1873; reg. Hobart, 10/1902. L 313.8 ft. Ended her days in the ‘Disposal Area’, Sydney, 2 August 1933. [SAN]

Ann Jamieson. Wooden snow brig, 237 tons.  Built at Alloa, Scotland, 1831. Master and part owner Alexander Alexander. While discharging cargo, destroyed by fire at Kings Wharf, Sydney Harbour, 30 November 1833. A quantity of loose gunpowder in the hold blew up, having spilled from packages carried as cargo. Six lives were lost. The heroic actions of a seaman from the schooner Ann in trying to save the brig resulted in his leg being shattered, requiring amputation. He was returned to England with free passage as a wrecked marriner. The removal of the burnt hull right up against the wharf was difficult. In 1841, with the aid of a diving bell, the wreck was dragged away from the wharf and then raised.  [#ASW1],[SAN],[MJ]
Note: Name listed as Ann Jameson in the shipowners register, and underwriter’s registers.

Anne Jamieson. Brig, 237 tons. Shortly after berthing at King’s Wharf, Sydney following an uneventful voyage from London, blew up at King’s Wharf, Port Jackson, 30 November 1833. Six seamen killed, many injured.  [LN],[ASW6]

Annie. Wooden barque, 470 tons. Forced on to rocks in a gale at North Head, Sydney about 100 yards from where the Catherine Adamson was lost, 30 June 1858. The S.S.Nora Creina tried to to take her in tow but to no avail. Two of the crew jumped overboard and swam ashore; the remainder including the captain and pilot dropped from the yards into the sea, where they were rescued by several small craft.  [LN],[SAN - barquentine],[BNN]
@ Scattered wreckage lis in fifteen metres.

Annie M.Miller. Steel screw steamship, 706/278 tons. #155338. Built Glasgow, Scotland, 1928 for R.W.Miller; reg. Sydney, 23/1928. Lbd 160.8 x 31 x 12.1 ft. Captain Herbert S.Pilling. Having ben fully loaded with coal, left Bulli jetty, and foundered soon after off Macquarie Lighthouse, NSW, 2 nm. SSE of South Head, Sydney, 8 Februaary 1929. After firing a distress rocket the crew left the ship in two boats and one with six on board was picked up within half an hour by the pilot steamer Captain Cook. The others were not seen alive again. The collier Corrimal alsso assisted in a search for survivors.
[LN],[SAN],[#MGV],[LAH],[BNS]
@ Wrecksite located in 150 ft, approx one kilometre off Rosa Gully; superstructure collapsed, boilers, keel and rips exposed. Prolific marine life. Quite a reasonable dive.

Anzac. Ex-HMAS. Iron screw steamer,  1660 tons. Built Great Britain, 1917; reg. Sydney. L 325 ft. Ended her days at the ‘Disposal Area’, Sydney, 7 May 1936. [SAN]

Arabian. Wooden fully rigged ship,  278 tons. Built Canada, 1830; reg. Sydney, 73/1850.  L 99.7 ft. Lost at Waterview Bay, Sydney Harbour, 1857.  [SAN]

Aramac. Steamer, 2114 tons. (Sister Arawatta). Built Dumbarton, Scotland, 1889 for the A.U.S.N.Co. Lbd 300 x 37 x 15-8 ft. Dismantled and converted into a hulk, Sydney, 1926. [DG]
In 1904, under Captain Butcher, ashore at Breaksea Spit.  [WL]

Arawatta. Steamship, 2114 tons. Built 1889. A.U.S.N.Co. Converted to a hulk in Sydney in 1926. Ended her days in the ‘Disposal Area’, Sydney, 14 September 1936. [SAN],[DG]
In 1907, a steamship of this name collided with and sank the Danish barque Ingeborg off Port Stephens, NSW, 1907. The Ingeborg sank within minutes; the Arawatta survived. [LN]

Archer . Iron hulk, 633 tons. #87082. Built Scotland, 1883; reg. Sydney, 22/1894.  L 200ft.  Ended her days in the ‘Disposal Area’, Sydney, 10 January 1946.  [SAN]

Argo. Iron barquentine, 1010 tons. Built Denmark, 1875; reg. Hamburg. L 190 ft.  Partly destroyed by a coal gas explosion in Neutral Bay, Port Jackson, 24 July 1893. One life lost. Her remains were eventually converted into a coal hulk. [LN] [SAN - barque]

Atlantic. Schooner, 72 tons. Recovered after being found bottom up near Newcastle, 1876. All crew lost. [LN]

Austral. Screw steamer, 5524 tons. Built Glasgow. Lbd 456 x 48 x 33 ft. Orient Steam Navigation Company. Lost off Kirribilli Point, Neutral Bay, Sydney harbour,  in the most extraordinary circumstances, 11 November 1882. She was being coaled night and day, in haste, and apparently without consideration of her trim, when she heeled over and sank in fifty-two feet. Four lives were lost in the accident. A coffer-dam was built around the vessel , and was refloated on 29 February 1883. After several trips, sold to shipbreakers in Genoa, 1903.  [#DG],[SAN]

Australia HMAS. Iron screw steamer, 18800 tons. Built Scotland, 1913. L 683 ft. Ended her days in the ‘Disposal Area’, Sydney, 12 April 1924. [SAN]

Australia. Brig. Originally the brig Good Fortune, bought in Singapore, renamed Ausstralia, and arrived off Sydney Heads with a cargo of rice and rum, sugar, coffee and flour, on 11 April 1826. Wrecked 12 nm north of Newcastle, 13 April 1826. She arrived off Sydney Heads leaking badly after a rough voyage during which twelve Lascar seamen died and in the face of a southerly gale could not enter Port Jackson. She sailed on to Newcastle but was caught in a calm and drifted ashore about 20 kilometres to the north. The crew were assisted by packet Lord Liverpool. [LN],[SAN],[ASW1]

Australian. Barque, 306 tons. Built Hawkesbury River, 1829; reg. Sydney 19/1836. Lbd 91.1 x 22.7 x 19.2 ft. Ashore in a squal near Milsons Wharf, Sydney, 2 October 1844. Refloated with the assistance of the harbour master Captain Merion Moriarty. [ASW1]

Avoca. Schooner, 279 tons. #22917. Built Ireland, 1855; reg. Sydney, 2/1879. L 124.4 ft. Broken up, Balmain, NSW, 1894. [SAN],[ASR - 258 tons]

Ayrfield. Steel screw steamer, 1140 tons. #131496. Built Scotland, 1911; reg. Sydney,  1/1912. L 300 ft.   Lost  Parramatta River, Homebush Bay, NSW, 1972.  [SAN]

Bantam. Steel screw steamer, 3322 tons. Ended her days in the ‘Disposal Area’; Sydney, 24 September 1946.  [SAN]

Barcoo. Steamship, 1505 tons. Built Dumbarton, Scotland, 1885, for the A.S.N.Co.  'One of the speediest vessels on the Australian coast'.  Dismantled in 1912 and used as a naval coal hulk in Sydney Harbour. Scuttled off NSW coast, 1 February 1924.[DG],[WL]

Barrabool. Steamer, 942/588 tons. Built 1874. Howard Smith Company. Nicknamed “the great Australian ram” due to her many collisions. She sank three steamers, the Bonnie Dundee, Queensland, and Birksdale. It is said that she steered so badly that other vessels got out of her way when they saw her coming - some apparently not fast enough. Laid up in Sydney as a coal hulk, 1912.  [WL],[DG]
On 10 March 1879, rammed and sank steamer Bonnie Dundee, off Lake Macquarie, . [LN],[NH]

Bee. Steamship, 10 tons. Built 1873; reg. Sydney. Broken up, Parramatta 1895. [ASR]

Bellubera. Steel screw steamer, 505 tons. #125244. Built NSW, 1910; reg. Sydney, 5/1936. L 210 ft.  Scuttled on 'Ship Reef', off Narrabeen Beach, Sydney, 1 August 1980.  [SAN],[BNN]
@ Location known.

Bingarra. Steel screw steamer,  442 tons. #121108. Built NSW 1905; reg. Sydney 43/1905. Ended her days at the ‘Disposal Area’, Sydney, 11 December 1946. [SAN]

Birkenhead. Wooden screw steamer, 115 tons. #93590. Built NSW 1888; reg. Sydney,  55/1888.   Lost off wharf at Dawes Point, Sydney Harbour, 1913.  [SAN]
Loney lists a ferry of this name, struck a pontoon, holed, sank, when  approached the wharf at Circular Quay. Crew of four reached safety.[LN]

Birksgate. Steamer. Struck by the steamer Barrabool, Sydney Harbour, 10 August 1884. Neither vessel extensively damaged. [DG]

Boatman. Lighter.  Lost Sydney Harbour, 30 May 1901. [SAN]

Boomerang. Screw steamer, 222 tons. Ended her days at the ‘Disposal Area’, Sydney, 12 December 1945. [SAN]

Boomerang. Steamer, 655 tons. Built Whiteinch, Scotland, 1854 for the A.S.N.Co. ; reg. Sydney. Lbd 211 x 21 x 19 ft. Later lengthened at Prymont, Sydney, with passenger accommodation increased. Operated mainlty Sydney - Brisbane, also Melbourne and New Zealand. Hulked in Sydney Harbour and broken up, Sydney, 1898. [DG],[ASR]

Brisk. Wooden schooner,  95 tons. #26297. Built Great Britain, 1831; reg. Sydney, 6/1863. Lost at North head, Sydney Harbour, 10 June 1865. [SAN]

Britanniar. Wooden screw steamer, tug, 35 tons. #74886. Built 1876; reg. Sydney, 70/1876. Lbd 70.4 x 12.8 x 6.1 ft. Foundered 2 nm south of South Head, Port Jackson, 19 January 1921. No loss of life. [LN - built 1920],[SAN]

British Merchant. Wooden full rig ship,  913 tons. Built Scotland, 1857; reg. Aberdeen. Lost  Cremorne Point, Sydney Harbour, 2 September 1860. [SAN]

Brothers. Cutter. Sprang a leak and was beached on Long Reef, where she soon became a total wreck, 7 October 1900. [LN]

Brothers. Wooden cutter, 17 tons. #46449. Built NSW 1870; reg. Sydney, 50/1863.  Length 35.4 ft. Lost at Pittwater, Sydney, 1870. [SAN],[JM]

Buninyong . Steel screw steamer, 2070 tons. #79538. Built 1883; reg. Adelaide. Length 280 ft.  Beached at Rushcutters Bay, Sydney Harbour, 4 May 1906. The tug Advance was entering Sydney harbour with the schooner Morore lashed alongside, and the barque Criffel in tow, when the Buninyong cut around the tugs stern and collected the hawser towing the barque, causing them to collide. The cliper bow of the barque penetrate the steamer’s hull, breaking her main mast and wrenching her funnel off. Taking water, the Buninyong discharged her passengers, with boats from HMS Powerful assisting. The Bininyong was towed to Rushcutter’s Bay in a sinking condition, by the Advance. [SAN],[MGS]

Burringbar. Steel screw steamship, 876 tons. #125224. Built at Grangemouth, 1909, for N.C.S.N. Co.; reg. Sydney,  2/1910. Lbd 205.1 x 33.1 x 11.4 ft. Described as a flush decked passenger ship. Hulked in 1932; scuttled off Sydney Heads 16 November 1934. In 1911 saw wreckage of foundered steamer Rosedale off Smoky Cape, NSW. [MR],[SAN]

Burunda. Pilot steamer. Involved in rescue operation when the yacht Thelma was sunk in Port Jackson, 10 March 1913. [LN]

Buteshire. Steel screw steamer, 5574 tons. #102653. Built Great Britain, 1893; reg. Glasgow.  Length 420 ft.  Lost Smiths Wharf, Sydney Harbour, 18 October 1898. [SAN]

Cadet. Screw steamer,  17 tons. #121111. Built NSW 1887; reg. Sydney, 40/1905. Length 54.12 ft. Lost in Sydney Harbour, 1912. [SAN]

Caisson. Vessel of this name lost at Long Reef, off Sydney, 1980. [SAN]

Camro. Steel screw steamer,  96 tons. #146041. Built Scotland, 1918; reg. Sydney, 19/1927. Length 86 ft. Ended her days in the ‘Disposal Area’ off Sydney, 22 March 1939. [SAN]

Canberra. Passenger liner, 7707 tons. Built 1913. Requisitioned by the Admiralty as a troopship during World War 1. On 29 May 1925, a fire broke out whilst at a wharf in Sydney. The vessel had a full complement of passengers expecting to sail the following morning. A steward managed to warn all the passengers who were saved, however this brave man lost his life in the flames. The vessel was almost destroyed. It took eleven months to repair the vessel at Mort's Dock, Sydney, and again became the pride of Australian Steamships Ltd.  [DG]

Capella. Wooden ketch, 24 tons. #131575. Built NSW 1913; reg. Sydney, 67/1923. Length 52.5 ft. Lost 600 metres inside North Head, Sydney, 23 December 1925. [SAN]

Captain Phillip. Iron screw steamer. Built NSW. Ended her days scuttled in the ‘Disposal Area’, off Sydney, 3 October 1947. [SAN]

Catherine Adamson.  Wooden full rig ship, 886/768 ton. Built at Aberdeen, 1855; reg. Aberdeen. Length 170 ft. Entered Port Jackson Heads on the evening of 23 October 1857, but lost steerage way in light winds and was forced to anchor; rockets were fired to attract attention to her plight, and the steamer Williams coming in from Newcastle tried unsuccessfully to take her in tow. At about 3am on the 24th she swung stern on to the rocks, south of Old Mans Hat, North Head, forcing passengers and crew to the boats, although in the heavy seas some decided to remain on board. Before rescue craft reached the scene, two boats were upset in the rough seas and some of their occupants drowned. Meanwhile the clipper began to break up rapidly and soon her masts had gone over the side as the seas made a clean breach over her, sweeping some of those still on board to their deaths. Some passengers and crew reached safety in a boat but five passengers, fifteen of the crew and the pilot lost their lives.
[LN],[NH],[ASW6],[SAN],[#MJ],[LAH],[BNN]
@ The wreck was re-discovered in the late 1950s by scuba divers but all that remains today are unrecognisable pieces of debris scattered over the sand and among rocks, forty metres off Inner North Head, west of Old Mans Hat. An anchor and chain lie on the scattered site.

Cavan. Iron  lighter, 731 tons. #67794. Built Scotland, 1876; reg. Newcastle, 2/1905. Ended her days scuttled in the ‘Disposal Area’, off Sydney, 1932. [SAN]

Centennial. Iron screw steamer, passenger vessel, 897/591 tons. #47848. Built Greenock, Scotland, 1863 as the Albion; reg. Sydney, 29/1889. Lbd 218 x 27 x 15 ft. Ran between Melbourne and NZ until sold to Sydney buyers in 1868. After refiiting in Sydney, operated to NZ, Pacific islands and Japan. Sold in 1888 and renamed Centennial (qv). Left Sydney for New Zealand; when off Bradley's Head, the steamer Kanahooka, inward from Wollongong, collided with and cut the Centenial to the waterline, 23 August 1889. Having been nearly cut in two, the Centennial soon sank, in seven fathoms, in Taylors Bay one hundreds netres form shore, after an attempt to beach her. The boats were got away with full complement. The wreck was subsequently blown up to provide safe clearance, and to give the Navy some demolistion practice. [LN],[SAN],[ASR],[MGS] [DG],[WL],[BNS]
@ Very little remains in ten metres off Bradleys Head.

Centurion. Wooden barque, 1004/965 tons. #60692. Built Scotland, 1869; reg. Aberdeen. Length 208 ft. Struck rocks at North Head, 16 January 1887. She was being towed out from Sydney; the captain of her tug, afraid he might collide with the barque Manhegan which was anchored nearby, stopped and went astern. The Centurion drifted shorewards and quickly went to pieces. Within half an hour very little remained but the crew were rescued unharmed. [LN],[SAN - barquentine],[#BNN]
@ Twisted rusted metal, timbers, a coil of rope and chain are about all that remains in eighteen metres, off Quarantine Head, Sydney Harbour.

Ceres. Lighter, 86 tons. Ended her days scuttled in thge ‘Disposal Area’, off   Sydney, 3 November 1949. [SAN]

Challenge. Screw steamer,  78 tons. #11396. Built Great Britain, 1856; reg. Newcastle, 4/1874. Length 84.5 ft. Lost off Bradleys Head, Sydney Harbour, 30 April 1876. [SAN]

Chiclayo. Barque, 647 tons. Built 1865; reg. Sydney. Broken up at Sydney, 1892. [ASR]

Christina Gollan. Wooden screw steamer,  54 tons. #89335. Built 1885; reg. Sydney, 15/1885.  Length 68 ft. Lost off Long Reef, Sydney, October 1921.  [SAN]

Circe. Hulk, 780 tons. Ended her days in the ‘Disposal Area’, Sydney, 2 January 1948. [SAN]

City of Melbourne. Steamship, 837 tons. Built Glasgow, 1862, for A.S.N.Co. Three-masted, with 'a handsome yacht appearance, and a gracefukl clipper bow'. Lbd 250 x 28 x 16 ft. Captain Paddle. Carrying a full complement of passengers and a cargo, including eleven valuable racehorses, the City of Melbourne ran into a gale with waves breaking on board, September 1876. Most of the horses were soon washed overboard from their stalls.re havoc below. Under temporary steering gear, the steamer bore up towards Jervis Bay but severe squalls and thick weather forced Captain Paddle to run before the gale until land was sighted north of Port Jackson. When she was finally back safely inside Sydney Heads the passengers praised the conduct of the captain and crew, also expressing their amazement at the seaworthiness of the ship, which had taken a terrible battering in losing its deck cargo of fruit and nine of the eleven horses originally loaded at Sydney. The ship served the Australian coastline well until she was broken up in 1898. [LN],[NH],[DG - broken up February, 1904]Struck rocks near North Head at Bowen, Queensland, 17 June 1887. No loss of life. [LQ]

Civility. Screw steamer. Lost Sydney harbour, 14 January 1886.  [SAN]

Clara. Brigantine, 132 ft. #42151. Built Canada, 1860; reg. Sydney, 68/1865. Length 91.5 ft. Lost on a reef south of Nobbys Head, Newcastle, 26 July 1874. [SAN],[LPA]
Clara. Schooner, 116. Ashore north of Nobbys, Newcastle, 26 July 1874. The pilot boarded her and an examination showed she was holed in several places, therefore the crew then abandoned the schooner. [LN]

Claude. Launch. Lost  Waterview Bay, Sydney Harbour, 7 November 1908. [SAN]

Cobaki. Wooden steaamship, 257 tons. Built Sydney 1918 for Langley bros. Lbd 127 x 28.3 x 8.5 ft. Engines came from the wrecked SS Cooloon. Owned by Australian Army 1939-45. Scuttled in 1946 in Salt Pan Creek, Middle Harbour, Port Jackson, NSW. [MR]

Collaroy. Screw steamer.    Lost on Long Reef, on beach about 5 nm north of Manly, NSW, 20 January 1887. [SAN]

Como. Vessel lost Sow and Pigs shoal, Sydney Harbour, 1848. [SAN]

Coombra.  Wooden paddle steamer, ferry, 45 tons. #64412. Built NSW 1872; reg. Sydney,  12/1873. Length 78 ft. Burnt to the water’s edge at Athol Gardens, Port Jackson, 1888. [LN],[SAN],[ASR]

Coorong. Iron steamship, 391 tons. Built at Port Glasgow, 1862. Several owners. Operated on the north coast, NSW. Hulked in Sydney, 1911. [MR],[DG - broken up, Sydney, February 1916]

Corsair. Vessel lost, South Head reef, Sydney, February 1825. [SAN]

Criffel. Steel barque. British. On 4 May 1906, the tug Advance entered Sydney harbour with the schooner Morore lashed alongside, and the barque Criffel in tow. The steamer Buninyong cut around the tugs stern and collected the hawser towing the barque, causing them to collide. The cliper bows penetrated the steamer’s hull leaving her in a sinking condition. [#MGS]

Currajong. Iron screw steamship, 603/410 tons. #73779. Built Whiteinch, Scotland, 1875, for The Clarence and New England Steam Navigation Company; reg. Sydney, 23/1883 as The Clarence. Lbd 222.2 x 30.1 x 15.7 ft. Arrived Sydney on 29 December 1875 under Captain Wallace. Name changed to Currajong when sold to A.S.N.Co, in 1883, and placed on the Sydney to Rockhampton run. After transfering to the A.U.S.N. Co in 1887, laid up and then sold to the owners of the South Bulli mine and converted to a collier. In 1893 sold to Bellambi Coal Co. Under Captain Robert Smith, collided off Bradleys Head, Port Jackson, with the steamship Wyreema, 9 March 1910. The Currajong was struck amidships and within four minutes began to settle down. Suddenly she gave a plunge and disappeared. Boats were lowered from the slightly damaged Wyreema and all excepting one seaman, Hans Neilson,  were rescued.[LN],[MR],[SAN],[DG],[BNS], [#MGS],[LAH]
On 27 September 1899, under Captain Charles M’Cooe, collided with and sank the ketch Lansdowne in Sydney harbour, off Georges Head. No lives lost. [MGS]
On 4 June 1904, colided with the paddle ferry Victoria off Milsons point, Sydney Harbour. No lives lost, but extensive damage to the paddle box.
@ Little remains although the hull is intact, 200 metres off Bradley Head, in 26 metres, in shiping lane - diving not permitted.

Currajong. Iron hulk, 942 tons. #101108. Built Denmark, 1875; reg. Sydney, 47/1914. Length 190 ft. Ended her days scuttled in the Sydney ‘Disposal Area’, 24 July  1946. [SAN]

Daphne. Wooden screw steamer, ferry, 65 tons. #89389. Built NSW 1886; reg. Sydney, 11/1886.  Length 76 ft. Destroyed by fire at Waterview Bay, Port Jackson, 9 June 1916. The fire spread and engulfed the ferry Leichhardt.  It was necessary to cut the two burning steamers adrift to save other tied up nearby. [LN],[SAN]

Dee Why. Steel screw steamer, Sydney Harbour ferry, 799 tons. #155366. Built Great Britain, 1928; reg. Sydney, 24/1928. Length 220 ft. Ended her days in 1976 when she was the first vessel to be scuttled at what would become known as Ship Reef, the dumping ground about 2 miles off Narrabeen Beach, and north of Long Reef Point. [BNN],[SAN]
@ Ship site known in 45 metres, upright, and regarded as an excellent dive.

Defiance. Wooden cutter,  34 tons. Lost south reef, Sydney Harbour, 17 July 1857. [SAN]

DHB 656. Steel hopper barge. Length 154 ft. Scuttled on 'Ship Reef', off Narrabeen Beach, north of Long Reef Point, Sydney, 1980.  [SAN],[BNN]
@ Location known.

Dido. Iron lighter, 54 tons. Built NSW, 1886; reg. Sydney. Length 61 ft. Lost at Millers Point, Sydney Harbour, NSW but possibly refloated, 1 July 1902. [SAN]

Doomba-Meggol. Paddle steamer. Lost on Fish Reef, off Dee Why, Sydney, December 1976. [SAN] See also Meggol - same vessel?

Drover. Brig, 173 tons. Built 1866; reg. Sydney. Dismantled at Sydney 1893. [ASR]

Duckenfield. Iron screw steamer, 368/251 tons. #70807. Built London, 1875; reg. Newcastle, 6/1876. Lbd 161 x 24 x 12 ft. Ran on to Long Reef, near Sydney Heads, then slid off and sank in deep water soon after being abandoned, 24 May 1889. When getting the boat out one seaman was washed overboard and drowned, but the remainder were picked up by a passing steamer and landed at Sydney. [LN],[SAN],[ASR],[#MGV],[JM - lost August 1902],[BNN]
In 1894, a vessel of this name was involved in the rescue of crew from the abandoned schooner Caledonia. [GB]
@ Wreck site located 1987 in 26 metres off Long Reef Point. Basic outline visible with engines and boiler clearly seen amongst the kelp.

Dunbar.  Wooden full rigged ship, 1321/1167 tons. Built Sunderland, 1853; reg. London. Lbd 201.9 x 35 x 22.7 ft.  Described in the British press as a splendid example of a modern clipper - her timbers were of British oak, planked and decked with East India teak, while her masts were also teak. Captain Green. Out of Plymouth on 31 May 1857, struck rocks south of Sydney Heads, resulting in one of Australia’s worst maritime disasters, 20 August 1857. Sixty-three passengers and 58 crew lost their lives when the London to Sydney clipper failed to negotiate the entrance to Port Jackson. Shortly before midnight the ship was reckoned to be about six miles off the entrance, extra lookouts were posted. Breakers were seen right ahead; an attempt was made to claw off the land, but the ship was too close in and carrying too little sail to have any chance. She struck the rocks and she was hurled almost broadside on to the cliffs just north of the signal station, midway between the lighthouse and The Gap.Immediately she struck, the topmasts went overboard and a huge sea swept over her starboard, carrying away people, boats, bulwarks and masts. Passengers were drowned in their bunks, while the crew on deck were swept into the raging sea. The only survivor, a young able seaman named James Johnson, was washed on to the jagged rocks. At the inquest the jury decided that while there may have been an error in judgment and the ship too close in shore at night in such bad weather conditions, but no blame was attached to Captain Green or his officers.  [LN],[#NH],[ASW6],[LH],[SAN],[#MJ],[CWR],[#BNS],[LAH]
@ In 1910 anchors, cables and other artifacts including coins were raised from the wrecksite area. In 1955 divers located her exact position, in nine metres a little south of The Gap. Technically, the Dunbar site, as destroyed and ‘picked over’ as she is, can offer little to the maritime archaeologist. But protection of the ship also means protection of the artifacts that were removed in the past, and that remain on the site. She was finally been protected under the Historic Shipwreck Act in 1989. Looting since 1955 has resulted in many valuable items disappearing into private collections. coins, instruments and jewellery but less intrinsically valuable items such as ships fittings may be lost forever as their novelty value diminishes.
~ There is an anchor on display at The Gap above the wrecksite.

Eagle. Schooner, 125 tons. #32504. Built USA, 1848; reg. Sydney, 64/1856. Length 83.6 ft. Dragged her anchors and wrecked when she went ashore on North Head, Port Jackson, 28 July 1866. [LN],[SAN - brigantine],[BNN]
@ Wreckage lies amongst the boulders about a half mile inside North Head in eighteen metres.

Easby. Steamship. Collided with schooner Northern Light off Bradleys Head, Port Jackson, 16 March 1878. The schooner was struck on the fore rigging and almost cut in two. She sank quickly but her crew were rescued by boats from Easby. [LN]

Echo. Wooden ketch, 55 tons. #93543. Built NSW, 1887; reg. Sydney, 52/1892. Length 74 ft. 55 tons. Missed stays and drifted on to North Head, Port Stephens, and lost on 21 September 1894.  [LN],[SAN],[ASR]

Eclipse. Wooden screw steamer, tug, 28 tons. #93521. Built 1885; reg. Sydney, 66/1886. Length 56.7 ft. Sank off Long Reef after striking a submerged object, 16 January 1931. Crew of two saved.  [LN],[SAN]

Eden. Steel screw steamer,  693 tons. #112502. Built Scotland, 1900; reg. Sydney, 34/1900. Length 197 ft. Ended her days in the ‘Disposal Area’ off Sydney, 11 May 1933. [SAN]

Edward Lombe. Wooden barque, 347 tons. Built at Whitby, Yorkshire, England, 1828; reg. London 84/1828, 59/1832, 67/1834. Originally ship-rigged. Lbd 106 x 27-8 x 19-2 ft. Captain Stroyan. From Hobart to Sydney, and then Mauritius; wrecked on Middle Head, Port Jackson, 25 August 1834. Twelve lives lost including the captain; seventeen saved. Heavy seas swept many passengers and crew overboard. When the barque broke in half the poop containing most of the survivors remained on the rocks and at dawn they were able to attract the attention of a passing ship. It was partly as a result of this wrecking that the first lightship in Australia was moored at the north-western end of Sow and Pigs Reef, in August 1836. Prior to this, an iron beacon had been placed on the reef, in 1820.
[LN],[ASW6],[SAN - indicates barquentine (incorrect), reg. London, 64/1834],[#ASW1],[LAH],[BNS]
@ Site known but almost non-existent in ten metres.

Egeria. Wooden screw steamer. Ended her days in the disposal area, off Sydney, 26 November 1945. [SAN]

Elizabeth. Wooden schooner,  32 tons.  Lost Little Manly Beach, Sydney Harbour,  1848. [SAN]

Ellen A. Reid. Wooden full rig ship,  1790 tons. #88594. Built Canada, 1884; reg. Yarmouth, Nova  Scotia. Length 756 ft.  Lost at Double Bay, Sydney Harbour, 1896.  [SAN] More than likely refloated as no other reference lists this vessel as being lost.

Ellen. Cutter, 8 ton. Unregistered. From Broken Bay to Sydney, lost on Long Reef, NSW, 1865. [MR]

Ellen. Wooden ketch, 10 tons. Built Balmain, NSW, 1846; reg. Sydney, 53/1846. Lbd 32.3 x 9.3 x 4.4 ft.  From Sydney to Brisbane Water, lost between the heads, Sydney Harbour, 9 February 1849. [SAN],[ASW1 - also a cutter]

Ema. Wooden launch. Length 30 ft.  Lost at Shark Island, Sydney Harbour, 11 February 1940. [SAN]

Emel Julius. Iron barquentine. Built Denmark; reg. Germany. Lost off Dibbs Wharf, Sydney Harbour, 1884. [SAN]

Emily Hort. Wooden schooner, 141 tons. #32564. Reg. Sydney,  147/1854. Length 84 ft. Captain Castles. Forced ashore at Old Mans Hat on North Head, Sydney Harbour, in a north- easterly, 12 October 1861.  [LN],[SAN],[BNN]
@ Scattered wreckage in twenty metres just off Old Mans Hat.

Emily Ann. Ketch, 39 tons. Missed stays off North Head, Port Jackson and drifted on to rocks, 1889. [LN],[ASR],[BNN - Emily Anne]
@ Wrecksite known, scattered wreckage off North Head.
Also listed:
Emily Ann. Wooden ketch, 39 tons. #73346. Built NSW, 1876; reg. Sydney, 10/1876. Length 61 ft. Lost Camden Haven, NSW, January 1889. [SAN]

Emma Matilda. Cutter 12 tons. Built NSW. Ashore and lost on rocks at North Head, Port Jackson, 30 December 1895. The dinghy was launched but capsized, drowning the captain. His son managed to hang on to wreckage until washed ashore. [LN],[SAN],[BNN]
@ Wrecksite known, west of Old Mans Hat.

Emu. Wooden screw steamer,  69 tons. #88973. Built NSW 1884; reg. Sydney, 41/1906. Length 93 ft. Ended her days in the disposal area, off Sydney, 17 May 1949. [SAN]

Encounter. HMAS. Iron screw steamer, 5880 tons. Built Great Britain, 1905. Length 376 ft. Served the Royal Navy from 1906 to 1912. First armed cruiser in Australian Navy. In later years used as a depot ship at Garden Island, and known as Penguin. Ended her days scuttled in the disposal area, Sydney, 14 September 1932.  [SAN],[#BNS]
On 5 January 1909, a pinnace from the ship was rammed and sunk by SS Dunmore near Woolloomooloo Bay, Port Jackson, 150 yds off Mrs Macquaries Chair, 5 January 1909. Fifteen of the sixty-seven occupants lost their lives. [LN],[SAN],[BNS]
@  Wrecksite known but too deep for recreational diving on air, being in 72 to 75 metres. Broken up with collapsed decks and partly buried, but starboard side is reasonably intact, but now deteriorating rapidly.

Energy. Steam tug, 42 tons. Sank within a few minutes after colliding with SS Electra off Sydney Heads, 1906. No loss of life. [LN],[MGS]

Esk. Fully rigged ship, 404 tons. #43222. Reg. Sydney, 19/1862. Length 113 ft. Lost at Sydney heads, 13 July 1866. [SAN]

Esther. Wooden screw steamer,  37 tons. #89303. Built NSW, 1883; reg. Sydney, 111/1884. Length 65.6 ft. Lost Sydney Harbour, 4 November 1920. [SAN]

Ethel. Wooden ketch, 27 tons. #75053. Built NSW 1880; reg. Sydney, 9/1880. Length 50 ft. Ashore at north head, Port Stephens, 11 October 1884. [LN],[SAN]

Exchange. Brig, 184 tons. Built USA 1846; reg. Melbourne, 36/1853. Length 94 ft. Lost east side of South Head, Sydney, (same site as loss of Two Friends), 28 October 1853.  [SAN]

Failford. Schooner, 73 tons. #106176. Built New Zealand, 1898; reg. Sydney. 25/1898. Length 96 ft. Ashore and lost on North Head, Port Jackson, 29 May 1899. [LN],[SAN]

Fair American. Assisted in refloating the ship Lady Barlow, Sydney Harbour, 1804.

Falcon. Three-masted schooner, 195 tons. #70199. Built New Zealand, 1874; reg. Auckland, 28/1882.  From Sydney to Newcastle, drifted on to rocks where she soon broke whilst passing Old Mans Hat, North Head, Port Jackson, 14 June 1886. The rocket crew were quickly on the scene and rescued seven of the crew, but one man drowned.
[LN],[SAN - wooden brigantine],[BNN - barque]
@ Scattred wreckage on wrecksite inside North Head.

Fame. Wooden barquentine,  208 tons. Built Scotland, 1840; reg. Aberdeen. Length 95 ft. Lost at Sow and Pigs shoal, Sydney Harbour, 2 August 1857. [SAN]

Fanny Louise. Wooden ketch, 32 tons. #38855. Built NSW, 1868; reg. Sydney, 4/1868. Length 57 ft. Lost near South Head, Sydney Harbour, 19 February 1870. [SAN]

Flora Bella. Schooner. Captain Vim-Norden. Struck rocks near Bondi, 19 January 1867. Crew saved. [LN]

Fly. H.M. Sloop. Lost off Sydney Heads, June 1827 with the loss of three lives.  [LN]
In 1826, assisted in refloating schooner Governor Darling, Sydney Harbour, 1826. [ASW1
In 1826, assisted in refloating the whaling brig Perseverance, Sydney Harbour, 1826. [ASW1]

Formosa. Wooden ketch, 54 tons. #75024. Built NSW, 1879; reg. Sydney, 33/1879. Length 65 ft.  Sprang a leak and abandoned off Manly, NSW, 19 February 1891. [LN],[SAN - 20 February],[ASR]

Gabo. Steel steamer, 2060 tons. #79541. (Sister Buninyong). Built Scotland, 1883; reg. Sydney, 12/1921. Length 280 ft. Ended her days in the ‘disposal area’ off Sydney, 30 November 1933.  [SAN],[DG]

Gannet. Iron paddle steamer,  243 tons. #88928. Built Great Britain, 1884; reg. Sydney, 39/1908. Length 134 ft. Ended her days in the ‘disposal area’ off Sydney, 24 January 1946.  [SAN]

Geebung. Wooden screw steamer,  49 tons. #89370. Built NSW, 1885; reg. Melbourne,  7/1889. Length 70.5 ft. Ended her days in the ‘disposal area’ off Sydney, 6 August 1947.  [SAN]

Gem. Wooden schooner,  99 tons. #40901. Built Great Britain, 1844; reg. Sydney, 74/1878. Length 69 ft. Lost Sydney harbour, 1880. [SAN]
Loney records:
Gem. Schooner. Struck a rock and run ashore while entering Newcastle harbour, March 1880. [LN]

Geranium. Ex-HMAS, sloop, 1200 tons. Built Great Britain, 1916. Length 268 ft. Ended her days in the ‘disposal area’ off Sydney, 16 April 1935.  [SAN]

Gitana. Ketch. Lost Sydney, 5 September 1857. [SAN]

Giwan G. Launch. Lost off Goat Island, Port Jackson, 21 June 1987. [LN]

Golden Rose. Steamship, 8, Sydney, 1872. Broken up Sydney, 1891. [ASR]

Golden South. Hulk - ex-clipper ship. Caught fire as a result of the clipper Vernon catching alight in Kerosene Bay, Port Jackson, 29 May 1892. The fire was controlled. [LN]
Also listed:
Golden South. Vessel lost in NSW waters, 1893.  [SAN]

Governor Blackall. Schooner-rigged steamer, 838 tons. Built Prymont, Sydney for the Queensland Government, 1870. Sold to A.S.N.Co. Ended her days in Rotten Row, Sydney Harbour.  [WL]

Governor Blackall. Iron hulk, 483 tons. #64390. Built Great Britain, 1871; reg. Sydney,  50/1887. Length 195 ft. Ended her days in the ‘disposal area’ off Sydney, Ju;y 1931.  [SAN]

Governor Bourke. Wooden schooner,  49 tons. Built NSW, 1831; reg. Sydney, 9/1832. Length 50 ft. Capsized and sank off Sydney heads, 1 July 1837.   [SAN],[ASW1]
Bateson indicates ‘no vessel of this name has been traced... other than a 197 ton barque’.

Governor Darling. Schooner, 37 tons. Often refered to as simply Darling. Launched Darling Harbour, October 1825. Captain Carter. Whilst sheltering in Watsons Bay, Sydney, was caught in a gale and went ashore, 19 September 1826. She was refloated with the assistance of HMS Fly and sailed for port Macquarie on 3 Ocrober 1826. No loss of life. [ASW1]

Greycliffe. Wooden screw steamer, ferry, 133 tons.  #131478. Built NSW,1911; reg. Sydney, 8/1911. Lbd 125 x 24 x 9.9 ft. Sydney ferry company. Sank quickly when hit and cut in two by the liner Tahiti off Bradleys Head, Sydney harbour, 3 November 1927. A few passengers were able to leap clear but in the space of a few seconds half the ferry had sunk, drowning dozens of passengers. Then the 7,000 ton liner swept in through the wreckage dragging more to their deaths and maiming many others. Rescue craft raced to the scene and were able to drag survivors from the water and take others off the other half of the ferry before it sank, but it has been estimated that more than forty died although an exact number was never known. A court of marine enquiry found the Tahiti to blame for the disaster but two years later when the Greycliffe's owners claimed damages, another court reversed the decision.  [LN],[LAH],[SAN],[DG]

Greyhound. Wooden screw steamer, 87/59 tons. #93508. Built Sydney,1886; reg. Sydney, 48/1893. Length 98 ft. Abandoned and foundered after collided with floating wreckage near Long Reef, Manly, NSW, entangling her propeller and starting one of her stern-plates, 4 May 1894. Crew landed near Manly. [LN],[ASR],[LPA],[SAN]

Grower’s Friend. Wooden lighter, 38 tons. #75038. Built NSW, 1879; reg.  Sydney, 56/1879. Length 62 ft. Lost in Darling Harbour, Sydney, 14 July 1910.  [SAN]

Guiding Star. Schooner, 37 tons. #74971. Built NSW, 1878; reg. Sydney, 32/1878. Length 59 ft. Rammed and sunk by SS Elingamite off Big Red Head, NSW, 19 July 1893. One  crew member drowned. The Elingamite was blamed for the accident. [SAN],[ASR] [LN]

Halycon. Gave chase to the brig Harrington, captured by convicts at Farm Cove, Port Jackson, 1807. [NH]

Harriet King. Brigantine, 185 tons. Built 1864; reg Sydney. Lost 1872. [ASR]
Harrington. Brig, 182 ton. Captain William Douglas Campbell. In April 1804, sailed from Port Jackson with letters of permission to capture enemy ships; attacked shipping off the South American coast, and captured the Spanish brig St. Francisco and St Paulo , and the cruiser Estremina, believing Britain to be at war with Spain. He was slightly premature, and on returning to Sydney was arrested as a pirate, but was soon released as a state of war was indeed declared. While waiting to depart from Farm Cove, the boat disappeared overnight, captured by armed convicts. First the Halcyon gave chase, then with Captain Harrington on board, the Pegasus. Several months later the British frigate Phoenix intercepted a ship, discovered it was the Harrington, The vessel was wrecked on the Philippine coast of Luzon. [NH]

Harrington. Brig. Master-owner William Campbell. Captured the Spanish cruiser Estremina off the coast of Peru on 1 October 1804, and brought her to Sydney where she was auctioned and bought by the Colonial service, and renamed Estramina. [ASW1]

Havilah. Steameer, 166 tons. Built 1853. Formerly of T.S.N.Co. Broken up, Sydney, 1911.  [DG]

Helen. Wooden launch. Length 32 ft. Lost off South Head, Sydney Harbour, 18 July 1928. [SAN]

Helen B. Stirling. Six-masted wooden schooner. Broken up Sydney 1932. [LAH]

Herald. Iron paddle steamer, tug, 41 tons. #59510. Built NSW, 1855; reg. Sydney, 85/1855. Length 75 ft. Foundered when the bottom of her boiler blew out, off North Head, Sydney, 1 April 1884. No lives lost. [LN],[SAN],[BNN]
@ Wrecksite known just east of North Head point in open sea.

Hereward. Iron full rig ship, 1513 tons. #77010. Built Glasgow, Scotland, 1877; reg. London. Lbd 254 x 39 x 23.2 ft. Ashore at Maroubra Beach, NSW, 6 May 1898, and eventually broke up in  December. It was back in May that the hereward was blown ashore in a gale. There she lay until December when attempts to refloat her failed, just when success seemed assured. By steadily pulling on a cable connecting the vessel to an anchor about 300 yards out to sea she was gradually worked seawards until she stuck on a sand bar and resisted all efforts by two tugs to free her. However, using steam winches the men on board freed her and had her riding in 14 feet of water when a southerly gale blew up. Being lightly laden the Hereward tossed badly and eventually her cable parted and she drifted ashore where she was battered by heavy seas, becoming a total wreck. [LN],[SAN - 1593 tons],[LAH],[BNS]
Was she refloated, or possibly one of the lucky vessels during the "Maitland (qv) Gale" which ravaged the central NSW coast taking some fifteen vessels.

Hesketh. Steamship, 640 tons. Built Cork, Ireland, 1883. Lbd 160.4 x 28.1 x 13.6 ft. . Captain Osborne. Collided with SS Royal Shepherd off The Gap, sinking her, 14 July 1890. [LN],[#MGV]

Himma. Screw steamer, 274 tons. # 168788.  Built Great Britain, 1942; reg. Sydney 1/1951. Length 32.06 metres. Scuttled at the 'Ship Reef' , off Narrabeen Beach, north of Long Reef Point, August 1977. [BNN],[SAN]
@ Location known, in 45 metres. Regarded as a good dive.

Hope. Sloop. Captain Daniel Smallwood. Foundered off North Head, Port Jackson, 31 October 1803. She was on a journey from the Hawkesbury River to Sydney with grain and made Sydney Heads in a leaking condition. [ASW1]
In July 1803, aground at Richmond Hill, NSW; repaired and refloated. Were it not for this record, she may have been assumed to have been the same Hope used by Matthew Flinders after the loss of the Cato and porpoise, in which he arrived at Sydney 8 September 1803.

Hopper barge No.15, and No. 16. Barge,  400 tons. Both ended their days in the ‘disposal area’, Sydney, April 1948. [SAN]
Several other hopper barges ended their days in the ‘disposal area’ off Sydney:
Hopper barge. 400 tons. Scuttled April 1934/04. [SAN]
Hopper barge. 50 tons. Scuttled April 1934. [SAN]
Hopper barge. 500 tons. Scuttled April 1934. [SAN]
Hopper barge 969. Scuttled August 1947. [SAN]
Hopper barge. Scuttled at Long Reef, Off Sydney, 1980.  [SAN]

Horn. Wooden launch. Lost off Long Reef, Sydney, 16 November 1948. [SAN]

Hornet. Iron lighter,  55 tons. #89254. Built NSW, 1883; reg. Sydney, 39/1884. Length 73.5 ft. Lost 4 nm south of the heads, Sydney, March 1915. [SAN]

Illalong. Iron paddle steamer, 294 tons. Built England, 1854, for Australian Steam Navigation Company. Dismantled and broken up, Sydney, March 1878.  [DG],[WL]

Investigator. British vessel, sloop, 334 ton. Formerly HMS Xenophon. Commandered by Matthew Flinders. Saw Cape Leeuwin on 13 December 1801.Arrived Sydney 9 May 1802; sailed north on 22 July 1802 with Lady Nelson as tender. During charting of the Gulf of Carpentaria, the Investigator leaked so badly that she was barely navigable and in November 1802, the ships caprenters gave her six months, if sailing conditions were favourable. The ship survived the long trip around Australia, and came down the west coast, then across the Great Australia Bight, finally reaching Sydney on 9 June 1803. He and many of his men were sick with scurvy and dysentery. The Investigator was condemned as unfit for any further journeys.  [HH2],[#HH1]
In 1804, assisted in refloating the ship Lady barlow, Sydney Harbour, 1804.

Iserbrook. Brig, 208 tons. #69750. Built Denmark, 1853; reg. Sydney, 20/1874. Length 110 ft.  Lost at Mrs Macquaries Chair, Sydney Harbour, 9 October 1880. [SAN]

Jane. Wooden barquentine,  221 tons. Built Great Britain, 1816; reg. Sydney, 145/1854. Length 88 ft. Lost at Balmain, Sydney Harbour, about 1866. [SAN]

Jessie. Ketch, 23 tons. #112562. Built NSW 1902; reg. Sydney, 29/1902. Lost Sydney Harbour near south reef, 19 May 1903.  [SAN]

Jessie. Ketch, 15 tons. Built 1892. Lbd 45 x 12 x 6.4 ft. Sank quickly following a collision with S.S.Peterborough  off South Head, Port Jackson, 19 May 1905. One life lost. The steamer was seen to be at fault. [LN]

Joke. Schooner. Struck Sow and Pigs reef, Port Jackson, and beached but was so badly damaged she was not repaired, 18 June 1821. [LN],[ASW1]

Julia. Schooner, 64 tons. Built 1867; reg Sydney.Ashore on North Head while entering Port Jackson, 10 August 1873. No lives lost. [LN],[SAN],[ASR - brigantine]

Kallawatta. Wooden screw steamer, Hawkesbury River trader, 68 tons. #121157. Built Hawkesbury River, NSW, 1906; reg. Sydney, 2/1907. Length 75 ft. Lost off Bungan Head, Sydney, 21 September 1928.   [SAN],[JM - lost off Newport]

Kaludah. Screw steamer,  137 tons. #125190. Built NSW, 1909; reg. Sydney, 13/1909. Length 115 ft. Lost on the Parramatta River, near head of Tarban Creek, NSW, 22 March 1911. [SAN]

Kannahooka. Steamer, collier. Collided with and sank the passenger steamer Centennial off Taylors Bay, Port Jackson, NSW, 23 August 1889. [MGS]

Karangi. Vessel lost in  Homebush Bay, Parramatta River, Sydney. No date recorded.  [SAN]

Kate. Screw steamer. Lost in Middle Harbour, Sydney Harbour, 2 April 1914. [SAN]

Kate. Wooden vessel, 50 tons. Built  NSW.  Lost in Sydney Harbour, near Garden Island, 22 August 1898. [SAN]

Katie. Screw steamer,  20 tons. Lost Neutral Bay, Sydney Harbour, 18 October  1897. [SAN]

Kembla. Iron paddle steamer, 449 tons. #36869. Built Scotland, 1860; reg. Sydney, 36/1890. Length 209 ft. Ended her days in the ‘disposal area’ off Sydney, 7 January 1936.  [SAN]

Kianga. Wooden screw steamer,  338 tons. #150179. Built NSW, 1922; reg. Sydney, 10/1931. Length 135.5 ft. Ended her days in the ‘disposal area’ off Sydney, 7 August 1948. [SAN]

Kiaora. Wooden screw steamer, 106 tons. #117612. Built NSW, 1903; reg. Sydney. Length 91.6 ft. Lost Sydney, 1906. [SAN]

Kinchela. Wooden twin screw steamer, 369 tons. Built Sydney 1914. Lbd 145 x 31 x 9.5 ft. At one time named Tamban. Hulked in Sydney, 1936; machinery transfered to SS Nambucca, built 1922 at Tuncurry, NSW. [#MR] Appears to be a contradiction in MR - indicates machinery went to Nambucca, built 1922, and Nambucca, built 1936. Both could be correct however, as the 1922 built vessel was wrecked in 1934.

Koputai. Iron paddle steamer, tug, 158 tons. #75216. Built Scotland, 1876; reg. Sydney, 10/1917. Lbd 112.2 x 20.1 x 9.6 ft. When steaming out to pick up a sailing vessel, foundered after springing a leak and sank within five minutes, five miles south-east of South Head, Port Jackson, 5 March 1920. Crew of four saved.  [LN],[SAN],[#MGS],[BNS]
@ Wrecksite located in 1994 in seventy metres, too deep for recreational diving on air.

Kurnell. Steel vessel, 194 tons. Ended her days in the ‘disposal area’ off Sydney, June 1946. [SAN]

Kuttabul. Wooden screw steamer, Australian navy store ship, previously harbour ferry, 447 tons. #150185. Built Newcastle, 1922; reg. Sydney, 18/1922. Lbd 182.6 x 36.1 x 13.9ft. Sunk by a deflected Japanese torpedo in Sydney harbour, 31 May 1942. Nineteen naval personnel asleep on board were killed as the vessel settled in shallow water.
[LN],[LH],[SAN],[LAH - steel steamship]

Lady Barlow. Ship, 500 tons. Built at Pegu; reg. Calcutta. Captain A. MacAskill. Capsized and sank when her cargo shifted, in Sydney Harbour, 16 October 1804. One crew drowned. She was refloated with the asisstance of the vessels Fair American, Investigator, and a government punt. [ASW1],[JM indicates she may have bveen struck 'by a phenomenal bolt of lightning']

Lady Bowen. Barque, 892 tons. Built 1861; reg. Sydney. Condemned as a hulk, 1888. [ASR]
Also listed:
Lady Bowen. Steam ship, 440 tons. Built 1864. A.S.N.Co. Broken up 1881. [DG]

Lady Emma. Schooner, 128 tons. #26463. Built Scotland, 1854; reg. Sydney, 44/1869. Length 85 ft. Ashore on North Head when leaving Port Jackson, 30 April 1880. Captain was washed overboard and drowned but the remainder of the crew reached safety in her boat. [LN],[SAN - brig]

Lady Hampden. Excursion steamer. In September 1903, struck by the tug Advance in Sydney Harbour. No injuries, superficial damage. [MGS]

Lady Raffles. Ship, 299/253 tons. Built Sunderland, UK, 1840. Master J. Osborne. As she was about to sail for Liverpool from Sydney on 6 April 1842, a fire was discovered, which soon took a firm hold. She was towed to Carabella Point ans scuttled. Crews from the vessels Woodbridge and Mary Anne assisted. She was refloated on 21 May and towed to Cmpbells Wharf, where she was repaired and sailed for England in August 1842. The fire was apparently caused by a spontaneous combustion in a bale of wool. [ASW1]

Lalla Rookh. Brig, 147 tons. #32295. Built Scotland, 1848; reg. Sydney, 61/1873. Length 98 ft. Broken up at Kerosene Bay, Sydney Harbour; 1898. [SAN]

Lansdowne. Wooden ketch, 81 tons. #75042. Built NSW, 1879; reg. Sydney, 60/1879. Length 80 ft. Lost 12 nm north off Newcastle, 7 April 1917. [SAN]
On 27 September 1911, foundered off Georges Head, Sydney Harbour, after a collision with the collier Currajong. No lives lost. The Lansdowne was raised within a week and repaired. [#MGS],[SAN - lists as lost, gives no indication she was raised],[LN - indicates sprang a leak and foundered off Norah Head, NSW, 7 April 1911]

Leichhardt. Screw steamer, ferry, 68 tons. #93495. Built NSW, 1886; reg. Sydney, 32/1886. Length 76 ft.  Destroyed by fire at Waterview Bay, Port Jackson, 9 June 1916. The fire started in the ferry Daphne. It was necessary to cut the two burning steamers adrift to save other tied up nearby. [LN],[SAN]

Leila. Screw steamer. Lost on Sydney Harbour, just outside of Circular Quay, 1 November 1893. [SAN]

Leveret. Screw steamer, tug, 82/56 tons. #89227. Built NSW, 1883; reg. Sydney, 122/1883. Length 97.6 ft. Operating out of Sydney, she collided with the tug Gamecock, out of Newcastle, near North Head, Port Jackson, and sank, 28 December 1895. No lives lost. [LN],[SAN],[ASR]

Liberty. Wooden schooner,  42 tons. Built Tasmania, 1824; reg. Sydney. Length 45.5 ft.  Forced ashore near North Head and lost, 20 January 1830. No loss of life.
[LN],[SAN],[BNN]
@ Only scattered wreckage remain just west of North Head, inside Port Jackson.

Lilian. Launch, 7 tons. #121134. Built NSW, 1900; reg. Sydney, 20/1906.  Length 25.5 ft. Lost at Watsons Bay, Sydney Harbour, 28 February 1914. [SAN]

Little Violet. Steam launch, 37 tons. Collided with the steam launch Undine off the Brothers Rocks in the Parramatta River , 11 February 1888. The Little Violet sank immediately with two lives lost. [LN],[SAN]

Mahinapua. Steel steamer, 458 tons. Built at Dumbarton, 1882. Lbd 160 x 26.8 x 12.6 ft. U.S.S.Co. Dismantled and cobverted into a hulk at Sydney, November, 1908. Abandoned at Port Stephens, NSW. [LH],[DG]

Malachite. Iron hulk, 561 tons. #104580. Built Scotland, 1874; reg. Sydney, 26/1901. Length 180 ft. Ended her days in the ‘dispoal area’ off Sydney, May 1946.  [SAN]

Margaret. Woden barge, 1143 tons. #101148. Built Norway, 1875; reg. Sydney. Length 200 ft. Ended her days in the ‘disposal area’ off Sydney, 10 May 1935. [SAN]

Marguerite.  Ex-HMAS sloop, 1200 tons. Built Great Britain, 1916. Length 268 ft. Ended her days in the ‘disposal area’ off Sydney, 1 August 1935. [SAN]

Maria Prudence. Schooner, 26 tons. #32541. Built NSW, 1845; reg. Sydney, 118/1852. Length 36 ft. Lost Parramatta River, Sydney, July 1853.  [SAN]

Marlean HMAS. Wooden launch. Lost , Sydney Harbour, 12 November 1944.  [SAN]

Martha. Schooner, 30 tons. Built Sydney, 1799. Captain William Reid. Wrecked Little Manly, NSW, August. She was bound from Reid’s Mistake to Sydney with coal when wrecked, 1800. Apparently refloated but could not be repaired. [LN],[SAN],[ASW1]

Mary Ann. Wooden cutter. Lost, possibly at Sydney Heads,  1867.  [SAN]

Mary Anne. Assisted the ship Lady Raffles, on fire in Sydney Harbour, 6 April 1842. [ASW1]

Matagalpa. (Matagalpha). Steel screw steamer,  1174 tons. Built Quincy, USA, 1920. While berthed at Sydney was severely damaged by fire, 26 June 1942. Over one hundred firemen fought the blaze whilst workmen hurried to unload petrol drums in the cargo. She settled on the seabed, was towed away but not repaired. Ended her days in the ‘disposal area’ off Sydney, September 1947. [LAH],[SAN - 1100 tons, iron screw steamer]

May Byrnes. Wooden schooner, collier, 234 tons. #94124. Built NSW, 1896; reg. Newcastle, 1/1898. Length 135 ft. Missing stays, swept on to rocks and lost near the north heads, Port Jackson entrance, 2 February 1901. Crew landed safely at Manly. [LN],[SAN - 234 tons, built 1898]

Me Mel. Paddle steamer, 174 tons. #93572. Built NSW, 1888; reg. Sydney, 11/1888. Length 125 ft. Lost Sydney, 31 January 1914.  [SAN]

Medusa. Steel hulk, 778 tons. Ended her days in the ‘disposal area’, off Sydney, 20 January 1948. [SAN]

Meggol. Tanker. The second vessel (after the ferry Dee Why) to be scuttled at 'Ship Reef', the dumping ground about 2 miles of Narrabeen Beach, and north of Long Reef Point, 1976. [BNN]
@ Vessel site known in 45 metres, and regarded as an excellent dive.

Messenger. Wooden schooner, 15 tons. Reg. Sydney, 156/1854. Length 34 ft. Lost at Long Reef off Sydney, 8 February 1860. [SAN]

Mimmie. Wooden cutter,  30 tons. Lost south side of Long Reef, NSW, 13 June 1868.  [SAN]

Miramar. Wooden yacht, 20 tons. #152031. Built 1925; reg. Sydney, 18/1926. Length 44 ft. Lost at Rose Bay, Sydney Harbour, 20 June 1928.  [SAN]

Missie. Schooner, 24 tons. #49291. Built NSW, 1869; reg. Sydney, 68/1869. Length 54 ft.  Lost ashore south reef, Sydney Harbour heads, 30 December 1870.  [SAN]

Mortlake Bank. Steel screw steamer, 1371 tons. #147708. Built Great Britain, 1924; reg. Sydney, 12/1937. Length 235 ft.   Lost Homebush Bay, Parramatta River, Sydney, 1972.   [SAN]

Mountain Maid. Schooner. Foundered off Long Reef during a squall, 15 February 1868. [LN],[SAN]

Mureegar. Wooden launch. Lost , Sydney Harbour, Middle Harbour, 27 June 1927. [SAN]

Myee. Steel twin screw steamer, 144 tons. #117603. Built Balmain, 1903, for N.C.S.N.Co.; reg. Sydney, 16/1903. Lbd 100.1 x 20.1 x 6.4 ft. Sold 1926 and cut down as a lighter. Scuttled in the ‘disposal area’ off  Sydney heads, 3 August 1933. [MR],[SAN]

Mynora. Wooden paddle steamer, 117 tons. #46428. Built NSW, 1863; reg. Sydney, 23/1863. Lbd 119.3 x 17.8 x  7.8 ft. Captain Barker. In foggy weather she struck a reef off George’s Head, NSW, but managed to free herself, only to make water, so deliberately ran ashore, 6 April 1864. No lives lost as a result. [LN],[SAN - ashore Steamers beach, Wreck Bay, NSW]

Myola. Iron screw steamship, 655 tons. #132448. Built England, 1913; reg. Sydney, 18/1914. Lbd 180 x 29.1 x 11.6 ft. Arrived Sydney via the Suez Canal under Captain L.A.Leslie on 7 January 1914. Foundered in rough seas near Long Reef, NSW, 1 April 1919. One boat found intact and used by the survivors until rescued by SS South Bulli. Four seamen lost their lives. [LN],[SAN],[#MGV],[JM],[DG - 260 tons],[BNN]
@ Wrecksite discivered in 1994. Wreckage lies in 48 metres, with the stern prop and rudder, boilers, engine, recognisable.
Byron mentions the 'most beautiful and exotic (marine) growth known to exist in this depth', and rates the dive highly.

Mystery. Wooden launch. Length 30 ft.  Lost Sydney Harbour, Long Bay, Middle Harbour, 29 January 1935. [SAN]

Nancy. Barge. Ended her days in the ‘disposal area’ off Sydney, April 1935. [SAN]

Nereus HMAS. Launch. Lost in Sydney Harbour, 2 July 1942.  [SAN]

Newcastle. Steel paddle steamer, three funnels, 1251/587 tons. #88978. Built Scotland, 1884; reg. Sydney, 4/1892. Length 265 ft. Ended her days in the ‘disposal area’ off Sydney, 1 June 1933.   [SAN],[ASR - dismasted and sunk, 1935],[DG]

Nile. Paddle steamer, 31 tons. Built 1885; reg. Sydney. Destroyed by fire, February 1926. [ASR]

Northern Light. Schooner 89 tons. #41828. Built Canada, 1858; reg. Sydney, 47/1876. Length 76 ft. Collided with S.S.Easby off Bradley’s Head, Port Jackson, 16 March 1878. The schooner was struck on the fore rigging and almost cut in two. She sank quickly but her crew were rescued by boats from Easby. [LN]

Nymboida. Iron screw steamship, 563 tons. #64783. Built Glasgow, 1872 as the Otway; reg. Sydney, 28/1897. Lbd 198.4 x 25.2 x 13.2 ft. Various owners including N.C.S.N.Co. Hulked 1913; broken up 1919. [MR],[SAN],[DG - dismantled Sydney 1924]

Omeo. Screw steamer,  16 tons. #73310. Built NSW, 1875; reg. Sydney, 81/1875. Length 50 ft.  Lost at Darling Harbour, Sydney, 4 June 1899. [SAN]

Orphan Girl. Lighter, 87 tons. #68199. Built Great Britain, 1873; reg. Blackpool. Length 76 ft. Lost Darling Harbour, Sydney Harbour, 1880.  [SAN]

Oscar. Danish barque, 306 tons. Reg. Denmark. Sank 4 km north-east of Sydney heads, 12 September 1873. She  missed stays while entering Port Jackson and went.ashore at North Head September The passengers and crew panicked and abandoned her as she began to fill, but the Oscar floated free and drifted about four kilometres to the north-east before finally sinking.
[LN],[LAH],[SAN - barquentine]

Osprey. Vessel lost  Farm Cove, Sydney Harbour, 6 June 1882.  [SAN]

Our Elsie. Wooden lighter,  213 tons. #125163. Built NSW, 1908; re.Sydney, 26/1908. Length 120 ft. Ended her days in the ‘disposal area’ off Sydney, 1932. [SAN]

Pacific. Screw steamer, 19 tons. Built NSW, 1879; reg. Sydney. Lost Sydney Harbour, off Fort Macquarie, 22 January 1903. [SAN]

Pedlar. Wooden cutter, 16 tons. Built Limehouse, London, UK, 1841; reg. Sydney, 42/1846. Lbd 29.2 x 9.8 x 5.7 ft. Master-owner William Leslie. Wrecked south side Bondi Beach, Sydney, 27 July 1847. No loss of life. [LN],[SAN]

Pegasus. Gave chase to the brig Harrington, captured by convicts at Farm Cove, Port Jackson, 1807. [NH]

Penguin. A pinnace from HM Penguin, screw steamer, was lost near Dawes Point, Sydney Harbour, 9 July 1914. [SAN]
 

Peterborough. Steamship, 159 tons. Built 1886. Lbd 111.9 x 20.7 x 7.6 ft. Rammed and sank the ketch Jessie off South Head, Port Jackson, 19 May 1905. The Peterborough survived; the master at fault. [LN],[SAN - lists as lost at Sydney Heads, 1905]
Also listed:
Peterborough. Steamship. Owned by Illawarra Steam Navigation Company. Involved in a collision with SS Prince of Wales, which sank, north-east of Botany Bay heads, 16 July 1886.  [LN]
Involved in rescue - see Bega, 5 April 1908. [MGS]
Also:
Peterborough. Vessel possibly lost 8 nm off Wollongong, 1907.  [SAN]

Phoenix. British frigate. Intercepted the brig Harrington, captured by convicts at Farm Cove, Port Jackson, 1807. [NH]

Phoenix. Ship, 589 tons. Built on the Thames, 1798. Master Robert White. Arrived at Hobart with convicts from England on 21 July 1824. Entering Port Jackson on 5 August 1824, with a pilot, struck Sow and Pigs Reef, near the harbour entrance. No loss of life. Refloated withh assistance from HMS Tamar, but found to be unseaworthy, and purchased by the colonial authorities and converted to a prison hulk for convicts awaiting transportation to Norfolk island, Moreton Bay and other penal settlements. She remained anchored in lavender Bay, Sydney for many years. [ASW1]

Phyllis. Lighter, 200 tons. Ended her days in the ‘dispoasal area’ off Sydney, 16 Septeember 1936. [SAN]

Pioneer.  Ex-HMAS. Iron screw steamer, 2200 tons. Built Great Britian, 1900. Length 314 ft. Ended her days in the ‘disposal area’ off Sydney, 18 February 1931.  [SAN]

Platypus. Iron steamship, 217 tons, two masts schooner rig. #48934. Built Glasgow, 1864. Lbd 140.4 x 23.8 x 8.4 ft. Operated on the NSW northern coast. Broken up in Sydney, March 1898. [MR],[ASR - 164 tons]
On 17 January 1883, the Platypus has run ashore when entering the Richmond River. The paddle steamer Francis Hixon went to her aid, but also became stranded and was lost. The Platypus however was refloated.
[LN],[BNN]
Also listed:
Platypus. Iron paddle steamer,  33 tons. #38856. Built NSW, 1867; reg. Sydney,  7/1868. Length 24 ft. Lost south arm, Richmond River, NSW, 12 January 1883. [SAN]
Clearly, there are errors, somewhere, in the above listing.

Pomme de Terre. Wooden schooner, 72 tons. #93516. Built NSW, 1886; reg. Sydney, 60/1886. Length 81 ft. Sank after colliding with schooner Daphne off Sydney Heads, 19 May 1887. Both were in tow to S.S.Saxonia when they ran foul of each other. [LN],[SAN]

Premier. Launch. Ended her days in the ‘disposal area’ off Sydney, May 1942.  [SAN]

Premier. Paddle steamer, 22, Sydney, 1856. Broken up, Sydney, 1891. [ASR]

Prince Patrick. Schooner, 117 tons. #31808. Reg. Sydney, 33/1867. Length 76 ft. While leaving Port Jackson, collided with the brig Drover near North Head, then drifted broadside on to the rocks, 17 October 1869. No lives lost. [LN],[SAN - wooden brigantine, lost 17 December 1869]

Princess. Screw steamer.  Lost Sydney Harbour, Circular Quay, north shore wharf, 27 December 1898. [SAN]

Proceed. Tug. Foundered off Goat Island in Port Jackson, February 1986; raised in June 1987 and put ashore to be demolished. [LN]

Prosperity. Wooden brigantine, 133 tons. #38863. Built NSW, 1868; reg. Sydney. Length 92.3 ft. Lost Sydney Harbour, 1895.  [SAN]

Pyrmont II. Barge. Scuttled at 'Ship Reef', off Narrabeen Beach north of Long Reef Point, 1977. [BNN}[SAN - lost at Long Reef, Sydney, July 1976]

Rambler. Sloop or cutter, about 12 tons. Capsized off Sydney heads, 16 December 1831. The master and two men drowned; three saved with assistance of sloop John. She may have been recovered. [ASW1]

Ranger. Wooden cutter, 11 tons. Built NSW, 1842; reg. Sydney, 12/1842. Lbd  27.8 x 10.5 x 4.5 ft.  Master-owner George Watson. Overturned in a gale within the Port Jackson Heads, 5 December 1842. No lives lost. [LN],[SAN],[ASW1]

Retriever. Schooner, 37 tons. #74994. Built NSW, 1872; reg. Sydney, 64/1878. Length 59.4 ft. Lost at Sydney heads, 15 November 1881.  [SAN]

Rhea. Barge. 830 tons. Ended her days in the ‘disposal area’off Sydney, 20 September 1945. [SAN]

Rob Roy. Schooner. 47 tons.  Built Macleay River, NSW, 1837; reg. 24 May 1837, 19/1837. Length 48 ft. Master Benjamin Audus. Missing on a voyage from Macleay River and Sydney, 1837. [LN],[SAN - lost ashore at Nobbys Head, Newcastle, July 1838],[ASW1 - lists as unidentified schooner, possibly Rob Roy]

Robert Sayers. Wooden full rig ship,  312 tons. Length 96.5 ft. Lost at Sydney Harbour, 5 November 1854. [SAN]

Rodney. Wooden motor vessel, ferry, 33 tons. Capsized in Sydney Harbour, 13 February 1938. Nineteen drowned.  [SAN],[LAH]

Rose. Wooden screw steamer,  80 tons. #106187. Built NSW, 1898; reg. Sydney, 44/1898. Length 80 ft.  Lost at Fivedock Bay, Sydney Harbour, 4 April 1927.  [SAN]

Royal Shepherd. Iron screw steamship, 331/227 tons. #31714. Built Paisley, Scotland, 1853 for the Launceston and Melbourne Steam Navigation Co to operate in Bass Strait; reg. Sydney, 76/1885. Lbd 139.9 x 19.8 x 10.5ft. Captain Hunter. Sank off The Gap, Port Jackson following a collision with SS Hesketh, 14 July 1890. No lives lost. The Hesketh was steaming to Sydney from Bulli with coal; the Royal Shepherd was heading south, also for coal. Royal Shepherd had the schooner Countess Of Errol in tow when the other steamer was sighted in clear weather, but the two vessels continued to approach each other until the Royal Shepherd was struck on the port side and so badly damaged she sank quickly. [LN],[LPA],[ASR],[SAN],[#MGV],[DG],[BNS]
@ Scattered wreckage, predominantly the drive shaft and engine, in 27 metres, about 500 m off the Hornby Lighthouse.

Sacramento. Schooner, 38 tons. #41424. Built NSW, 1850; reg. Sydney, 19/1868. Length 57 ft. Lost off Sydney heads, 23 November 1871. [SAN],[ASR - built 1856]

Saint Michael. Ship, 170 tons. Whilst at anchor at Port Jackson, caught fire which burnt her rigging and charred part of her deck, 8 December 1821. Out out by a crew under the chief mate of the Malabar. [ASW1]

Saint Patrick. Wooden sloop. Lost off Sydney Heads, January 1835.  [SAN]

Sayonara. Yacht. Was racing the yacht Thelma when the latter was overwhelmed by heavy seas near Port Jackson heads, 10 March 1913. [LN]

Sea Nymph. Brig. Lost, but possibly raised, Sydney Harbour, opposite Blues Point, 9 June 1882. [SAN]

Seahorse. (Sea Horse). Wooden paddle steamer, 540 tons. Built at Dundee in 1837 Owned by Ben Boyd. Struck a rock in the Tamar River, northern Tasmania and was badly damaged. She finished her days as a wharf hulk at Sydney in 1849. [LN],[LPA],[NH]

Siesta. HMAS. Launch. Lost in Sydney Harbour, 23 September 1942.  [SAN]

Silver Cloud. HMAS. Launch. Lost in Sydney Harbour, 23 September 1942.  [SAN]

Sisters. Schooner, 44 tons. Built NSW, 1844; reg.  Sydney, 77/1844. Length 56.8 ft.  Sprang a leak and foundered 1.5 nm east, as she approached Port Jackson, 25 July 1860. All hands saved. [LN],[SAN]

Snowdon. Schoner, 83 tons. Reg. Melbourne. Lost Sydney Harbour, North Head, 1863.  [SAN]

Snowy. Wooden launch. Length 25 ft. Lost 0.5 nm off  Sydney heads, 4 February  1940.   [SAN]

Sophia. Schooner, 209 tons. #70508. Reg. Sydney, 26/1879. Length 117 ft. Drifted on to rocks at North Head, Port Jackson, and soon went to pieces, 9 July 1881. Crew and passengers rescued by the pilot boat. [LN],[SAN - brigantine, lost 10 July 1881]

Souvenir. Wooden schooner, 63 tons. #32644. Built Tasmania, 1845; reg. Sydney, 5/1860. Length 67.8 ft. Ashore and lost near the Hornby Light, Sydney Harbour, NSW, 28 November 1860. [LN],[SAN]

Sovereign of the Seas. Wooden ship, 1226 tons. Built 1857. After discharging one hundred and four passengers and cargo from Liverpool at Campbell’s Wharf, Sydney on 10 September 1861, a fire between decks up forward quickly burnt through the fore hatch and set the deck alight in several places. The fire was finally extinguished almost twenty four hours after the first alarm. Eventually, the burnt out hulk was refloated and used to construct the steamer T.S. Mort, which was put into service in April 1863. [ASW6]

Stalwart HMAS. Steel screw steamer, 1075 tons. Built Great Britain, 1918. Length 276 ft. Ended her days in the ‘disposal area’ off Sydney, 21 July 1939.  [SAN]

Standard. Wooden launch. Lost one nm east of Long Reef, Sydney, 23 March 1931. [SAN]

Sterling. Screw steamer. Lost at Federal Wharf, Darling Harbour, Sydney, 16 August 1919.  [SAN]

Storm Bird. Wooden barque, 164 tons. #36652. Built Canada, 1859; reg. Sydney, 73/1869. Length 98 ft. Lost off Sydney Heads, 2 May 1870.  [SAN]

Success. HMAS, Steel screw steamer,  1075 tons. Built Great Britain, 1918. Length 276 ft. Ended her days in the ‘disposal area’ off Sydney, 20 December 1941. [SAN]

Suki. Wooden launch. Lost at Clifton Gardens, Sydney Harbour, 13 June 1938.  [SAN]

Surprise. Paddle steamer, 20 tons. Built 1878; reg. Sydney. Broken up, Sydney, 1891. [ASR]

Susannah Cuthbert. Wooden screw steamship, 178 tons, 3 masts. #46466. Built England 1866; reg. Sydney, 61/1866. Lbd 131.6 x 18.8 x 10 ft. Several owners. Operated on NSW north coast run. Struck Long Reef, Manly, then drifted ashore off Jenkins Point and sank, 7 July 1875. [LN],[MR],[SAN - built NSW, 1864],[JM]

Sutherland Caisson. Vessel type not listed. Scuttled in the 'Ship Reef', off Narrabeen Beach, north of Long Reef Point, 1978. [BNN]
@ Location known.

Swordsman. Steel screw steamer, 1075 tons. Length 276 ft. Built Great Britain, 1918. Ended her days in ‘disposal area’ off Sydney, 8 February 1939.  [SAN]

Sydney HMAS. Light cruiser, 5400 tons, built in 1912.  Broken up at Cockatoo Island Dockyard in 1929. Brief mention. [LSW]

Sydney. Barge, 1634 tons. #49275. Built Great Britain, 1863; reg. Sydney, 81/1891. Length 231 ft. Ended her days in the ‘disposal area’ off Sydney, March 1935. [SAN]

Sylphide. Barque, 296 tons. #9877. Built Denmark, 1852; reg. Melbourne, 25/1868. Length 119 ft. Captain Pie. Sank quickly after a collision with P.S.Ballina 3 km north-east from North Head, Port Jackson, 16 June 1877. A Court of Inquiry blamed the Ballina for the collision, caused mainly by insufficient care on the part of her crew [LN],[SAN - barquentine]

Tahiti. Passenger liner, twin screw, 7585 tons. Built 1904, as the Port Kingston. During WW1, was requistioned as a troopship and made eleven voyages to the Middle East and Europe. Resumed service in the Pacific Ocean trade in 1919. In 1920 converted to oil, and in 1923 completed a record-breaking run of sixteen and a half days from Wellington to San Francisco. Under Captain Toten, sailed from Wellington to Rarotonga, Cook Islands on 12 August 1930 with 103 passengers, and crew of 149; foundered when 480 miles off Rarotonga, due to a broken shaft punturing the side of the ship. All saved by the steamer Penybryn. [#NH]
On 3 November 1927, under Captain Aldwell, the liner was leaving Sydney Harbour bound for San Francisco when she cut the ferry Greycliffe in two.The liner swept in through the wreckage dragging more to their deaths and maiming many others; estimated that more than forty died, many of them school children, although an exact number was never known [NH indicates 42]. It is thought she hit the ferry at 12 knots, four knots more than the allowed speed in the harbour. The Coroner’s court attributed blame to both captains. A court of marine enquiry found the Tahiti to blame for the disaster but two years later when the Greycliffe's owners claimed damages, another court reversed the decision.  Litigation between the two owners of the ships continued for several years.  [LN],[#NH]

Tasmania. HMAS. Iron screw steamer, 1075 tons. Built Great Britain, 1918. Length 276 ft. Ended her days in the ‘disposal area’ off Sydney, 16 March 1939. [SAN]

Tasso. Hulk, 264 tons. Built 1857; reg. Sydney. Broken up, Sydney, December 1895. [ASR]

Tatoo HMAS. Iron screw steamer, 1075 tons. Built Great Britain, 1918. Length 276 ft. Ended her days in the ‘disposal area’ off Sydney, 9 May 1939. [SAN]

Taviuni. Steamship, 1465 tons. Built 1890. U.S.S.Co. Dismantled at Sydney, June 1924.  [DG]
Also listed:
Taviuni. Iron hulk. Ended her days in the ‘disposal area’ off Sydney, 12 May 1931. [SAN]

The Clarence. Iron twin screw steamer, 603 tons. #73779. Built Whitinch, Scotland,1875. Lbd 222.2 x 30.1 x 15.7 ft. Various owners. Renamed 1883 as Currajong (qv more details). Run down and sank by vessel Wyreema, Sydney Harbour, 8 March 1910. [MR]

Thelma. Yacht, 26 tons. Lost in heavy seas Dobroyd Point, within Port Jackson Heads, 10 March 1913. One sailor drowned. She had been engaged in a challenge race with another top yacht, Sayonara, when she was overwhelmed by huge seas and her crew of nine thrown into the sea. One man was drowned but the survivors were rescued by the pilot steamer Burunda. The yacht was soon battered into matchwood. [LN],[SAN - lost 8 March 1913]

Three Bees.  Convict transport, wooden full-rigged ship, 459 tons. Built at Bridgewater, London, 1813. Captain John Wallis. Fire destroyd the ship at anchorage off Dawes Point, Port Jackson, 20 May 1814. As smoke was issuing from the powder magazine with the inevitability that she must blow up, her master ordered the moorings cut, hoping she would drift out into the harbour, but instead she drifted closer inshore. Exploding grapeshot scattered residents to safe points of vantage where they were able to watch the final moments of the ship. Eventually she grounded on Benelong Point and after her store of gunpowder exploded she sank in shallow water. [ASW1],[LN, incorrectly named as Three Bells],[LAH],[SAN]

Torch.  Lost near Fort Denison, Sydney Harbour, 25 March 1917.  [SAN]

Torrens.  Ex-HMAS. Steel screw steamer. Length 250 ft. Built NSWm 1916. Ended her days in the ‘disposal area’ off Sydney, 24 November 1930.   [SAN]

Tramp. Wooden schooner, 92 tons. #102344. Built New Zealand, 1902; reg. Sydney, 65/1913. Length 95.9 ft.  Missed stays while leaving Port Jackson and ashore on North Head, where heavy seas soon battered her to pieces, January 1915. She had made headlines in 1913 when abandoned by her crew after being  dismasted off Port Stephens and drifting for three weeks before being taken in tow by SS Wandra, then handed over to the authorities at Manning River. [LN]

Try One. Wooden launch, 29 tons. #174720. Built NSW, 1945; reg. Sydney, 10/1946. Length 42 ft. Lost at Malabar Point, Sydney, 31 July 1947. [SAN]

Tuncurry. Wooden twin screw steamer, 236 tons. #125205. Built Tuncurry, NSW. Lengthened by 20 ft, early 1920s. Operated in NSW waters. Dismantled in Sydney soon after WW2. [MR]

Two Friends. Brig, 207 tons. Built Great Britain, 1836; reg.  Sydney, 72/1850. Length 85.4 ft. Lost when  driven ashore in the bight between the Gap and South Reef, NSW, 1851. The steamer Rose and a whaleboat from the Pilot Station attempted to tow her free, but their efforts failed and on the same evening she sank in deep water, leaving only her top gallant masts in view. Most of her cargo of wool, drapery, oatmeal, dried friuts, flour and timber was insured. Relics, including cannon, have been recovered from the wreck site. [LN],[SAN]

Una. Wooden screw steamer,  44 tons. #121123. Built 1898; reg. Sydney, 6/1906. Length 67.6 ft.  Lost at Fivedock Bay, Sydney Harbour, 4 April 1927.  [SAN]

Undine. Steam launch. Survived collision with the steam launch Little Violet off the Brothers Rocks in the Parramatta River , 11 February 1888. The Little Violet sank immediately with two lives lost. [LN]

Undine. Wooden screw steamer,  54 tons. #89314. Built NSW, 1884; reg. Sydney, 134/1884. Length 64.7 ft. Vessel destroyed Walsh Bay, Sydney Harbour, 18 December 1936. [ASR],[SAN - lost 28 December]

Ventura. Fore and aft schooner. Foundered after colliding with the tug Champion 5 km off Sydney Heads, 4 March 1904. No lives lost. [LN],[SAN - listed as Venture]

Vernon. Teak-built clipper ship, 911 tons. Built Blackwall, England, 1839. Destroyed by fire while anchored in Kerosene bay, Port Jackson, 29 May 1892. Apparently some kerosene aboard the Vernon had been ignited by sparks from a fire lit beneath a piece of machinery to loosen some rusted bolts. The Vernon was converted to a training ship in 1868, then used as a school and home for about 2500 lads before being superseded by the famous Sobraon. [LN],[LAH]

Victoria. Paddle steamer, ferry, on Sydney Harbour. On 4 June 1904, colided with the collier Currajong off Milsons point, Sydney Harbour. No lives lost, but extensive damage to the paddle box. [MGS]

Victorian.  Steamer, 986 tons. Built on the Clyde, 1876 for the Adelaide Steamship Company on the Melbourne-Adelaide run. Burnt at Port Jackson, 1885, and converted into a coal hulk. Towed to sea and sunk off Port Phillip Heads, 8 May 1925.  [WL]

Voyager. Wooden launch. Length 32 ft. Lost at Blue Fish Point, North Head, Sydney Harbour, 7 March 1937.  [SAN]

Wainoni. Wooden yacht. Length 20 ft. Lost two nm north-east of  Sydney heads, 19 December 1925.  [SAN]

Wallsend. Steel screw steamer, 518 tons. #106245. Built Scotland, 1899; reg. Sydney, 57/1899. Length 165 ft. Ended her days in the ‘disposal area’ off Sydney, 15 February 1935. [SAN]

Wanderer. Two masted wooden schooner, 131 tons. Built Manning River, NSW, 1842; reg. Sydney, 19/1848. Lbd 76.6 x 18.5 x 10.5 ft. Captain Peter Croston. Missed stays when entering Port Jackson  and went ashore on Middle Head, 9 July 1848. Eight drowned; only the master was saved. [LN],[ASW1],[SAN]

Warung. Wooden screw steamer, 10 tons. #89347. Built NSW, 1884; reg. Sydney, 30/1885. Length 59.8 ft.  Lost in Sydney Harbour, 27 June 1906.  [SAN]

Wave. Wooden cutter, 17 tons. Built NSW, 1847; reg. Sydney, 78/1848. Length 34.8 ft. Possibly lost 4 nm north of Sydney heads, 1851.  [SAN]
Also listed:
Wave. Collided with the ketch Warlock and sank north-east of Port Jackson, 13 August 1851. Crew of three rescued. [LN]

White Heather. Screw steamer, 23 tons. #93599. Built NSW, 1886; reg. Sydney, 25/1889. Length 46.5 ft. Lost at Morts Dock, Waterview Bay, Sydney Harbour, 8 November 1908. [SAN]

Wicklow. Barge. Ended her days in the ‘disposal area’ off Sydney, December 1933. [SAN]

Will Watch. Ketch, 23 tons. #59547. Built NSW, 1869; reg. Sydney, 63/1869. Length 57.6 ft.  Capsized in a squall 5 km northeast from Sydney Heads, 12 October 1878. Crew rescued by a boat from PS Ballina. [LN],[SAN]

William Cossar . Government vessel, wood, 20 tons. Captain Wise. After towing the ship Mangles to sea, was lost on Sow and Pigs shoal, Sydney Harbour, 14 February 1825. Crew saved.  [SAN],[LN],[ASW1]
In November 1818, taken by convicts and put ashore at Port Stephens; repaired and refloated after considerable effort. [ASW1]
On 11 March 1824, capsized near Fort Macquarie, Sydney harbour, in a squall, with three men drowned. [ASW1]

William Hill. Cutter, 109 tons. #36958. Built NSW, 1847; reg. Geelong, 2/1861. Length 70 ft. Lost at North Head, Sydney Harbour, 28 November 1865. [LN],[SAN - 39 tons?]

William Woolley. Wooden brig,  201 tons. Built Great Britain, 1839; reg. Sydney, 140/1853. Length 82.8 ft. Destroyed by fire as she lay alongside Miller’s Wharf, Port Jackson, 9 May 1854. [LN],[SAN]

Windsor. Sloop, 22 tons. Master-owner Henry Major. From Newcastle to Sydney, wrecked on Long Reef between Dee Why and Collaroy, NSW, during the great gale of June 1816. No loss of life. [LN],[SAN],[ASW1],[JM]
In 1816, involved in rescue - see sloop Recovery, lost NSW.

Wodonga. Iron screw steamer, 2341 tons. Built Glasgow, launched April 1891 for the A.U.S.N. Co. Arrived Brisbane via Torres strait October 1891. Sold May 1924 to a Sydney shipbreaker.  Converted to a hulk at Sydney, 1927. Ended her days in the ‘disposal area’ off Sydney, 30 April 1931.   [SAN],[WL],[DG]

Wollongong Star. Wooden fishing boat. Foundered off Sydney Heads after springing a leak, 20 August 1980. [LN]

Womerah. Paddle steamer, 21 tons. Built 1871; reg. Sydney. Broken up at Sydney, 1887. [ASR]

Woodbine. Barque, 252 tons. Built 1857; reg. Sydney. Broken up Sydney, 1893. [ASR]

Woodbridge. Assisted the ship Lady Raffles, on fire in Sydney Harbour. [ASW1]

Wyreema. Steamship, passenger liner, 6333 tons. Built UK for the A.U.S.N. Co, especially for the Melbourne to Cairns route; arrived Australia April 1908.  Under Captain John Meaburn, only slightly damaged when she collided off Bradley’s Head, Port Jackson, with the steamship Currajong, 9 March 1910.  The Currajong sank; Wyreema rescued all but one of the Currajong crew. [LN],[#MGS]

Yamba. Iron screw steamer, 104 tons. #136464. Built NSW, 1920; reg. Sydney, 12/1920. Length 91 ft. Ended her days in the ‘disposal area’ off Sydney, 16 April 1942.  [SAN]

Yarra. Ex-HMAS. Iron screw steamer, 700 tons. Built Great Britain, 1910. Length 250 ft. Ended her days in the ‘disposal area’ off Sydney, 1932.  [SAN]

Young Charlie. Screw steamer, 21 tons. #83709. Built NSW, 1882; reg. Sydney, 95/1882. Length 53 ft.  Lost at Sydney Harbour, Woolloomooloo Bay, 21 April  1900.  [SAN]

Yuloo. Steel screw steamer, 407 tons. #128809. Built Great Britain, 1910; reg. Sydney, 3/1912. Length 145 ft. Ended her days in the ‘disposal area’ off Sydney, 14 November 1932.  [SAN]

UNIDENTIFIED

Unidentified. 1835. In 1835 a band of four bushrangers absconded with a small vessel in Sydney and robbed several settlers along the central coast, NSW. [GB]

Unidentified. Wreckage of an unknown vessel lies about 700 metres inside Port Jackson on north side. [BNN]