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Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 1 November 1933, Page 4

It is 39 years since the steamer Wairarapa, 1786 tons, was wrecked at Miner’s Head. Great Barrier Island, on October 29, 1894, with the loss of 126 lives. Bound from Sydney to Auckland with passengers and cargo, the Wairarapa ran. into a dense fog c-oming down the coast of the North Auckland Peninsula. After the watch had been changed at midnight on the 28th the new lookout man had been at his post only a few minutes when lie observed a dark mass'ahead, which he knew must be land. The order for full speed astern was given, but hau scarcely commenced to take effect before the vessel struck and slowlv commenced to sink. A considerable sea was running, and many people were swept away as they attempted to reach the shore. News of the disaster did not reach Auckland until four days later, when some of the survivors arrived by the Argyle from Port Fitzroy.