Wrecked at Bouddi Point

The SS Maitland set off from Sydney 121 years ago on May 5, bound for Newcastle, with 30 crew and 33 passengers on board.

The paddle steamer never made it to Newcastle.

It was beset by the worst gale in 20 years, later dubbed the Maitland Gale.

It was one of the worst maritime disasters in NSW history when the Maitland was pushed on to rocks at Bouddi Point and the vessel was smashed into two.

Historian Karen Askew relates the tragic story which took the lives of 29 people.