The Merimbula ran up onto Whale Point at Currarong on the night of 27 March, 1928, later sinking down the steeply shelving reef. Ordered by the Illawarra and South Coast Steam Navigation Company following the loss of the Bega in 1908, the 64metre vessel was built by the Ailsa Shipbuilding Company of Troon, Scotland. Merimbula was launched in 1909. Fitted with twin triple expansion engines, the vessel was capable of 14 knots. Merimbula had accommodation for 96 first class and 10 second class passengers. The Merimbula was immediately put into service in the southern trade, the normal run taking in the ports of Sydney, Bermagui, Tathra, Merimbula and Eden.
The Merimbula departed Sydney for Eden on 25 March, 1928. At 1 a.m. on the morning of 27 March 1928, the thirteen passengers were awoken by the grinding impact of the vessel driving on Beecroft Peninsula in heavy rain. The crew battled to free the lifeboats that got stuck. Rescue rockets were fired but there was no answer. Captain O'Connor believed the vessel was in no immediate danger and sent the passengers back to the lounge, still with their lifejackets on. There they spent the remainder of the night drinking coffee and eating sandwiches. Rain continued the following morning as the lifeboats were lowered. The passengers were rowed across to the mouth of Currarong Creek where they found shelter in a fisherman's hut. Merimbula began to sink and later salvage attempts were cancelled. The wreck site has been located, the bow high and dry on exposed reef.
Depth of submerged portion of site ~13m.
Download ss Merimbula Wreck Inspection Report, Heritage Branch, Department of Planning, Sydney, 1992. (1.4mb pdf)
