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Newcastle & Hunter River Company's SS GWYDIR wrecked at Norah Head after a collision with another ship in February 1942

Date1942

Object numberANMS0406[008]

NameNewspaper clipping

MediumInk on paper

ClassificationsEphemera

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from the Estate of John Watt

Terms

Norah Head

HistoryOn 14 February 1942, the Newcastle & Hunter River Company steamship GWYDIR was in a collision with the free French freighter NEO HEBREDAIS just north of Norah Head, NSW. Nine passengers and some of the crew were ordered into the ship's boats and spent fives hours adrift before being picked up. Shortly after the collision, the GWYDIR's master, Captain Tinkler decided to try to get the ship to port but it was taking on too much water. Tinkler therefore decided to beach the vessel, but with the rudder smashed away and one propeller missing the vessel proved uncontrollable and drifted onto a reef on the north side of Norah Head. Attempts to refloat the ship failed. Another Newcastle & Hunter River Steamship Company steamshsip also named GWYDIR was wrecked on the south side of Norah head in 1884.