Wreck of the Cora Lynn off Port Stephens – 1914 – Port Stephens

Introduction

On the night of 17 November 1914, the wooden steamer Cora Lynn foundered off Shark Island (Fingal Island) near the entrance to Port Stephens and was grounded on Wreck Beach. It was carrying a load of coal and other cargo and was travelling between Newcastle and the Manning River.

Cora Lynn grounded on Wreck Beach – Port Stephens

The Cora Lynn was built at Narooma in 1902 and was owned by William Langley and Sons. It was of 151-ton gross weight and 107 feet long.

Building of the Cora Lynn at Narooma, in 1902 [National Library of Australia]

Cause of the Foundering

The Richmond River Express and Casino Kyogle Advertiser of 24 November 1914, page 1, reported:

‘The small coasting steamer Cora Lynn, 1450 tons, owned by Messrs. William Langley and Sons, has gone ashore at Port Stephens, and is expected to become a total wreck. The crew managed to get ashore safely in bad weather, but lost all their effects.’

The Richmond River Herald and Northern Districts Advertiser of 24 November 1914, page 2, also reported:

‘Langley Bros coasting steamer, Cora Lynn, went ashore near the entrance to Port Stephens last week, on her way to the Manning, and is likely to become a total wreck. It is stated that when the Cora Lynn struck the sandbank, which caused the rudder to be torn off, the weather was very thick, and the sea making. As she drifted disabled towards the beach the seas washed over her, flooding the engine-room, and putting the fires out. The water poured into the hold. When the crew left the scene of the stranding, the little craft was showing signs of fast breaking up. The crew got ashore without much difficulty, but lost most of their effects, only saving the clothes they stood in. Captain Benson, master of the wrecked vessel, is standing by her.’

Marine Court of Inquiry

The Northern Star of 10 December 1914, page 5, reported:

‘The loss of the steamer Cora Lynn, which was wrecked off Shark Island at the entrance to Port Stephens on the night of November 17, was inquired into by the Marine Court today. Evidence was given that the night was a dirty one, the current running strongly with a sea towards Shark Island. The vessel was allowed to get too close in to the reef before her perilous position was discovered, and she became a total wreck, all on board being saved.

His Honor remarked upon the fact that the master, Henry Benson, had defective eye night, and was probably unable to see Port Stephens light owing to the thick weather. “This mishap,” said his Honour, “was due to the misfortune of the master in not having good eyesight, and clearly the Court will not deal with his certificate for carelessness when there was no carelessness. The Court therefore took no action in the matter.”

Royal Humane Society Aided Crew

The Sydney Morning Herald of 11 December 1914, page 6, reported:

‘The monthly meeting of the committee of the Royal Shipwreck, Relief, and Humane Society of New South Wales was held yesterday. … Outfits were provided for the crew of the steamer Cora Lynn, recently wrecked at Port Stephens.’

Concluding Comments

Following the foundering and wreckage of the steamer, the location was referred to as Cora Lynn Beach.

The name later fell out of use and the location is now known as Wreck Beach.

This was most likely in memory of the wreck of the Cora Lynn and several other shipwrecks that occurred in the near vicinity.

Further information other shipwrecks in the Port Stephens region is published on this website and can be found at the following links:

A History of 110 Shipwrecks at Port Stephens 1800 – 1950

Shipwrecks Inside Port Stephens 1869 – 1950

Morna Point – A Graveyard of Shipwrecks

The Maitland Gale – 1898

Wreck of SS Florence Irving at Port Stephens – 1877

Wreck of SS Macleay near Port Stephens – October 1911

Foundering of SS Oakland off Cabbage Tree Island – 1903