North Stradbroke Island – Tales from the Quarterdeck

The Loss of the Sovereign – 1847.

When the 119-ton paddle steamer Sovereign foundered in Moreton Bay resulting in the loss of 44 lives, it was inevitable that people would want someone to blame. But was it the fault of the captain, the unseaworthiness of the ship or just a terrible accident? On 3 March 1847 the Sovereign steamed down the BrisbaneContinue reading “The Loss of the Sovereign – 1847.”

The Cambus Wallace: did a shipwreck split an island in two?

In September 1894 the 1600-ton iron barque Cambus Wallace ran aground on Stradbroke Island spilling its cargo of salt, Scottish whiskey and dynamite to be strewn along the beach. Six seamen lost their lives in the tragedy and the wreck may also have contributed to the island splitting in two. The Cambus Wallace had sailedContinue reading “The Cambus Wallace: did a shipwreck split an island in two?”