When launched in 1854 the 1167 ton Dunbar was a first class sailing vessel said to be the largest ever built at Sunderland, UK. The doomed ship arrived off Port Jackson on the night of Thursday, 20 August 1857. Heavy rain obscured the cliffs at Sydney Heads and when Captain Green heard the shout 'breakers ahead!', the Dunbar was south of the opening and almost under the Macquarie Lighthouse. The ship was driven broadside into the towering cliffs and began to break up almost immediately. One crewman, James Johnson, found himself hurled onto the cliffs where he managed to gain a hold. He was the sole survivor. In all 121 people perished, including all 63 passengers and the remaining 58 crew.
The death toll staggered the population of Sydney. Thousands were drawn to the scene by the loss of relatives, friends and business associates. The victims were buried at St Stephens Cemetery, Newtown. Some 20,000 people lined George Street for the funeral procession on Monday 24 August. Banks and offices closed, every ship in harbour flew their ensigns at half-mast, minute guns were fired, and seven hearses and over one hundred carriages moved slowly through the city. The red and white Hornby Lighthouse at the tip of South Head, was subsequently built to mark the actual entrance to the harbour.
The site lies in water up to about 11m.
Read a contemporary poem about the disaster.
Download Dunbar (1854-1857) Conservation Management Plan. NSW Heritage Office, Sydney, 2002 (487kb PDF)
