17/01/2025
🚢 The Tragic Wreck of the Ly-ee-Moon: A Dark Chapter in Australia's Maritime History ⚓
On 30 May 1886, the elegant iron steamer Ly-ee-Moon was tragically wrecked off the rugged coastline of Green Cape, south of Eden, NSW. Caught in a violent storm, the ship was driven onto a hidden reef, breaking apart and exposing passengers and crew to the full force of the sea. In this devastating event, 71 lives were lost, making it one of the most heartbreaking maritime disasters on the New South Wales coast.
Among those who perished was Flora MacKillop, the beloved mother of Saint Mary MacKillop, Australia’s first canonised saint. This profound loss deeply affected Mary and remains a poignant chapter in her remarkable life.
The disaster left few survivors. In a haunting twist of fate, only a small boy survived—pulled unconscious from the wreck after managing to push his head through a porthole. The lighthouse keepers, powerless to intervene, could only watch in horror as the tragedy unfolded.
Today, the memories of those lost endure in the quiet cemetery near Green Cape Lighthouse, where many of the recovered bodies were laid to rest.
📸 First Image: A detailed scale model of the Ly-ee-Moon, part of the museum’s display commemorating this tragic event.
🖼️ Second Image: The Wreck of the Ly-ee-Moon off Green Cape, New South Wales (c.1886), an original engraving by an unknown artist, capturing the ship’s final moments. This historical artwork remains in good condition, offering a sombre reflection on the disaster.
Let us remember and honour the souls lost to the sea that night. 🌊🕊️
