31/05/2026
The steamship Orion sailed from Smithton for Melbourne at 7 pm on 6 May 1908 under the command of Captain Arthur Lloyd, with eleven crew, fifteen passengers, and a cargo of general produce totalling an estimated 183 tons. That night a heavy westerly to south-westerly gale developed, which continued until the 8th, and when Orion had not arrived at Melbourne by the 11th, fears were held for her safety. Orion was last positively seen in Robbins Passage by Captain H.J. Emmett of the ketch Ariel, a short time after leaving Smithton. The Lady Loch expedition found nothing, but on her return voyage to Launceston on the 14th the Wybia came across a funnel ladder some 26 miles north-east of Tamar Heads, which was eventually identified as being from the missing Orion. It was concluded that the vessel had sunk off the Hunters or King Island, possibly after collision with a large sailing vessel, the former position being held by the subsequent inquiry despite evidence that she could well have been wrecked elsewhere. If you were after more information, please use the link below
https://environment.gov.au/shipwreck/public/wreck/wreck.do?key=7572
