'Eden', 1909

The steamer Eden ran aground, but was refloated, on Point Perpendicular on 19th December 1909. So, it was not to become a shipwreck, but a report in the Queensland Times (an Ipswich newspaper) of 21st December 1909 provides some interesting details. And travelling by ship along the NSW South Coast certainly had its moments!:

Steamer Eden.
NARROW ESCAPE FROM WRECK
By Telegraph from Our Correspondent.
Sydney, December 20.

On the arrival in Sydney, last night, of the steamer Eden, of the Illawarra Company, it was ascertained that the vessel ran ashore when on her way along the coast, bound from Eden to this port, and that considerable excitement was created among the passengers. The Eden was under easy steam, and a dense haze, the result of smouldering bush fires, enveloped the coastline. Suddenly the vessel struck Point Perpendicular, one of the headlands of Jervis Bay. Although the impact was not very severe, the ship shook from stem to stern, and the passengers, many of whom were in their bunks, rushed on deck in their night attire to learn what had happened. There were about 100 passengers, more than half of whom were women and children, and at first, they appeared to be greatly alarmed. Captain Bishop and his officers reassured the passengers and told them that there was absolutely no danger. The engines of the Eden were reversed as quickly as possible, and the steamer did not hang on to the rock for more than six or eight seconds. She responded to her engines and slid off the rocky ledge on which she was resting into the deep water. The extent of the damage done was not then known. The stewards and stewardesses, acting under instructions form the captain, served out the lifebelts to the passengers and crew. This proceeding, to some extent, intensified the alarm, but the officers again explained that the step had been taken merely as a precaution, and that absolutely no danger was anticipated. A hurried examination revealed the fact that the Eden had been somewhat badly damaged below the waterline, but that she was perfectly seaworthy. Soundings were taken, and it was found that a quantity of water had made its way into her fore-peak. Not a drop of water, however, had entered the holds of the vessel, and the cargo was undamaged. The boats were fully provisioned and in the davits in readiness for launching, but such a step was found unnecessary. When Captain Bishop found that his vessel was seaworthy, and that she had escaped serious damage, he stood on his course for Sydney. A careful watch was kept below, but no further water made its way into the ship, and it was not found necessary to put the pumps into operation. The weather at the time of the mishap was fine, and fortunately the sea was smooth. The accident happened between 7 and 8 o'clock yesterday morning, and the Eden arrived in Sydney last evening. On her way up the coast, she had to contend against a stiff north-easterly blow which, to some extent, retarded her progress. As soon as the cargo of the Eden has been discharged, she will be floated into the dock for survey and repairs. An idea of the force of the impact may be obtained from the fact that a big piece of stone was dislodged from the cliffs and fell with a crash. Another small piece of rock was forced into one of the bow-plates of the Eden and was still firmly embedded there when the ship reached the wharf. One of the firemen had a miraculous escape. He was asleep in his bunk when the port anchor, coming into contact with the rocks, forced the hawse pipe within a few inches of this head. He was thrown out of his bunk by the shock.