On the fine, clear morning of 9 October 1867, the 367 iron paddle steamer Telegraph ran onto rocks offshore from Camden Haven. It was a significant loss as the steamer was regarded as "one of the finest and decidedly the fastest operating" on the coast.
Owned by the Australasian Steam Navigation Company (ASN), a later inquiry alluded to a misunderstanding over who was in command at the time. Captain Fitzsimons was adamant that the Chief Officer, Rozea, had charge of the boat and that he was too near the land. As Captain Fitzsimons came on deck he exclaimed, "Good God Rozea, you are too close in!". The captain later suggested that perhaps the passengers had coerced the Chief Officer to steer inshore, so as to view the wreck of the Prince of Wales. In any event, the Telegraph grounded on the rocks, allowing passengers and crew to row ashore. One passenger took great pains to guard his cargo of sheep once they had swum from the wreck.
In time the steamer broke in two although some cargo and fittings were salvaged. The 67.36 m Telegraph was built at Glasgow, Scotland, in 1854. Today the site is named Telegraph Rock and the wreck is often visited by scuba divers.
