‘Kameruka’, 1897

The ‘Kameruka’ was a 55-metre, 515-ton steel twin screw steamer that had been built in Scotland in 1880 for the Illawarra and South Coast Steam Navigation Company. It was specifically designed for the company’s South Coast run.

It had departed Bermagui at 8.30 p.m. on October 16th 1897, having earlier left Eden and called at Tathra and Merimbula. By the time she departed from Bermagui she has 31 passengers, 19 crew, livestock, dairy produce and other general cargo on board. She was heading to Batemans Bay to pick up more passengers and produce before then sailing to Sydney.

The weather at the time was fine and it was clear, even if a bumpy sea was running. All the passengers and most of the crew were in their bunks when suddenly, around midnight, the ‘Kameruka’ ran aground on rocks off Pedro Point, about two and a half miles south of Moruya Heads. Many of those on board were thrown violently out of their bunks by the impact of the grounding.

Immediately, waves began to break over the vessel’s decks and it began to fill with water, so all on board were given lifebelts.

Distress signals were picked up at the pilot station at Moruya Heads. The Pilot raced to the scene of the wreck and tried to take a line to the ship but was carried away by the current. He was rescued ‘more dead than alive’ by a local lady and the pilot’s boatman.

Someone on board the ‘Kameruka’ had the idea of attaching ropes to some of the pigs that were on board, hoping one would swim to shore. Eventually that idea proved to be a winner, and ropes were secured between the ship and a large rock at Pedro Point. By about 1pm a travelling cage had been secured. This was used to transport the passengers and crew to shore. All were rescued by 4pm. The crew and passengers were then taken to Batemans Bay and continued their journey to Sydney on another of the company’s vessels, the ‘Allowrie’.

A quantity of the ship’s cargo, mainly butter and cheese, was able to be landed by way of the travelling cage on the rope strung from the ship to shore. The wreck was then sold for £65 and parts of the vessel and its remaining cargo was salvaged.

A month after the incident an inquiry into the wreck was held by the Marine Board. At this, the captain admitted he was drunk at the time the ship hit the reef. His Master’s Certificate was cancelled. The ship’s second mate was also charged with not having taken sufficient steps to preserve the safety of the ship while the captain was incapable.