File:Coroner's Inquest for those killed in wreck of the SS Penguin 1909 (24831083632).jpg

On 12 February 1909 the SS Penguin sank off Cape Terawhiti, near the entrance to Wellington Harbour, leaving 75 people drowned and 30 survivors. This was New Zealand’s worst maritime disaster of the 20th century.

The Penguin departed Picton on 12 February 1909 en route to Wellington in good conditions. However, by 8 p.m. the weather conditions had changed, with very strong winds and bad visibility. At 10 p.m Captain Francis Naylor headed further out to sea to wait for a break in the weather. Unfortunately, as the ship turned, it smashed into Thoms Rock and water started to pour in. Although women and children were loaded into the lifeboats first, the rough seas dragged the lifeboats underwater. Only one woman survived, but all the children onboard the Penguin were killed. Other survivors drifted for hours on rafts before reaching safety. As the Penguin sank, seawater flooded the engine room and a massive explosion violently fractured the ship.

Following the disaster, a half-day holiday was declared in Wellington to allow the many funerals to be held. All but 13 of the bodies were eventually recovered, and about 40 of these were laid to rest in Karori Cemetery. On the 100th anniversary of the sinking, Wellington's mayor unveiled a plaque remembering the disaster at Tongue Point, near the site of the wreck.

A court of inquiry found that a strong flood tide combined with strong currents was one reason for the disaster. It also blamed navigational errors made by Captain Naylor, who survived the wreck but had his certificate suspended for 12 months. However, the inquiry found that he had done’ everything in his power to prevent loss of life’ once disaster struck.

This image is of the death certificate for 58 of the victims of the wreck, which comes from the official coroner’s inquest report of the disaster. Archives Reference: ACGS 16231 J46 368/C427889 COR 1909/723