The Wreck of the SS Penguin

On February 12, 1909, the steam ship “Penguin” departed Picton for Wellington in favourable conditions, carrying over 100 passengers and crew. The weather worsened as she crossed the straight, and that evening was marked by poor visibility due to heavy rains. At 10pm, with no land in sight, she struck Thoms Rock off Terawhiti.

Captain Naylor did not seem to think there was any real danger as he ordered the life rafts ready and that the passengers be fitted with life belts. There was little panic as the rafts were filled, but the rough seas made the evacuation disastrous. One launch failed, spilling its passengers into the freezing water. Other rafts capsized during the night.

Over two-thirds of those on board lost their lives that night, making it the worst maritime disaster of the century.

There are many records related to the wreck of the SS Penguin that are from series currently being digitised by the Digitisation Programme. These records are now online and a selection of images are available below.

Captain Naylor lived until 1940. He retired as a harbour master in Wanganui.

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Coroner's verdict for 59 of those lost in the SS Penguin disaster

ACGS 16231 COR 1909/273

Over two-thirds of those on board lost their lives that night, making it the worst maritime disaster of the century.

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Coroner's verdict for 59 of those lost in the SS Penguin disaster

ACGS 16231 COR 1909/273

Over two-thirds of those on board lost their lives that night, making it the worst maritime disaster of the century.
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Coroner's request for special fee

ACGS 16211 1909/355

A coroner’s inquest was held where survivors recalled the events. The coroner requested a special fee from the Department of Justice for the work surrounding the disaster. He received five guineas and a refund of any expenses incurred.

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Coroner's request for special fee

ACGS 16211 1909/355

A coroner’s inquest was held where survivors recalled the events. The coroner requested a special fee from the Department of Justice for the work surrounding the disaster. He received five guineas and a refund of any expenses incurred.
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Notification of a half-day for the funeral of the victims

ACGO 8333 1909/304

Government offices flew their flags at half-mast on 15 February, and a half-day was declared for the morning of the 16th for the funerals of the victims. The funeral procession travelled from the Buckle Street Drill Hall to Karori Cemetery.

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Notification of a half-day for the funeral of the victims

ACGO 8333 1909/304

Government offices flew their flags at half-mast on 15 February, and a half-day was declared for the morning of the 16th for the funerals of the victims. The funeral procession travelled from the Buckle Street Drill Hall to Karori Cemetery.
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First page of Mr. Bishop’s letter

ACGO 8333 1909/590

William Bishop lost his wife and son in the wreck. They were both buried in the cemetery at Karori, but he later requested to have them reinterred next to the mother and sister of his wife.

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First page of Mr. Bishop’s letter

ACGO 8333 1909/590

William Bishop lost his wife and son in the wreck. They were both buried in the cemetery at Karori, but he later requested to have them reinterred next to the mother and sister of his wife.
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Second page of Mr. Bishop's letter

ACGO 8333 1909/590

William Bishop lost his wife and son in the wreck. They were both buried in the cemetery at Karori, but he later requested to have them reinterred next to the mother and sister of his wife.

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Second page of Mr. Bishop's letter

ACGO 8333 1909/590

William Bishop lost his wife and son in the wreck. They were both buried in the cemetery at Karori, but he later requested to have them reinterred next to the mother and sister of his wife.
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Coroner’s verdict for Henry James Underwood

ACGS 16231 COR1909/266

Henry James Underwood was the last to be recovered, having been found a few weeks later at Titahi Bay. He was able to be identified by his son from personal belongings that bore his name and initials.

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Coroner’s verdict for Henry James Underwood

ACGS 16231 COR1909/266

Henry James Underwood was the last to be recovered, having been found a few weeks later at Titahi Bay. He was able to be identified by his son from personal belongings that bore his name and initials.
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Deposition of witness for Henry James Underwood

ACGS 16231 COR1909/266

Henry James Underwood was the last to be recovered, having been found a few weeks later at Titahi Bay. He was able to be identified by his son from personal belongings that bore his name and initials.

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Deposition of witness for Henry James Underwood

ACGS 16231 COR1909/266

Henry James Underwood was the last to be recovered, having been found a few weeks later at Titahi Bay. He was able to be identified by his son from personal belongings that bore his name and initials.
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First page of Mrs. Hayes’ letter

ACGO 8333 1909/927

A member of the crew, Thomas Hayes, was never recovered. He had a wife in England who wrote to the New Zealand government for help, fearing ‘some accident may have befallen him’ after her letters went unanswered.

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First page of Mrs. Hayes’ letter

ACGO 8333 1909/927

A member of the crew, Thomas Hayes, was never recovered. He had a wife in England who wrote to the New Zealand government for help, fearing ‘some accident may have befallen him’ after her letters went unanswered.
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Second page of Mrs. Hayes' letter

ACGO 8333 1909/927

A member of the crew, Thomas Hayes, was never recovered. He had a wife in England who wrote to the New Zealand government for help, fearing ‘some accident may have befallen him’ after her letters went unanswered.

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Second page of Mrs. Hayes' letter

ACGO 8333 1909/927

A member of the crew, Thomas Hayes, was never recovered. He had a wife in England who wrote to the New Zealand government for help, fearing ‘some accident may have befallen him’ after her letters went unanswered.
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Copy of form approving subsidy of £1000 to the Penguin Disaster Relief Fund

ACGO 8333 1909/1575

A relief fund was quickly set up for the victims of the disaster, and Prime Minister Joseph Ward promised to ‘substantially supplement any private subscriptions.’ A subsidy of up to £1000 was approved for the fund, which had reached £1800 in May.

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Copy of form approving subsidy of £1000 to the Penguin Disaster Relief Fund

ACGO 8333 1909/1575

A relief fund was quickly set up for the victims of the disaster, and Prime Minister Joseph Ward promised to ‘substantially supplement any private subscriptions.’ A subsidy of up to £1000 was approved for the fund, which had reached £1800 in May.
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First page of Mr. Stichburry’s letter

ACGO 8333 1909/728

A Wellington indent and manufacturers’ agent sought permission to raffle 3 motor cars in aid of the relief fund. The permit couldn't be granted as the cars did ‘not appear to come within the meaning of Section 42 Gaming Act 08’ as works of art.

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First page of Mr. Stichburry’s letter

ACGO 8333 1909/728

A Wellington indent and manufacturers’ agent sought permission to raffle 3 motor cars in aid of the relief fund. The permit couldn't be granted as the cars did ‘not appear to come within the meaning of Section 42 Gaming Act 08’ as works of art.
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Second page of Mr. Stichburry's letter

ACGO 8333 1909/728

A Wellington indent and manufacturers’ agent sought permission to raffle 3 motor cars in aid of the relief fund. The permit couldn't be granted as the cars did ‘not appear to come within the meaning of Section 42 Gaming Act 08’ as works of art.

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Second page of Mr. Stichburry's letter

ACGO 8333 1909/728

A Wellington indent and manufacturers’ agent sought permission to raffle 3 motor cars in aid of the relief fund. The permit couldn't be granted as the cars did ‘not appear to come within the meaning of Section 42 Gaming Act 08’ as works of art.

References

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