Sumatra

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History

The Sumatra was a 584-ton steel screw steamer wrecked at Crescent Head on the 26/06/1923 while on a voyage from Sydney to Rabaul.

The Sumatra was built at Kiel, Germany in 1889. The vessel had a length of 52.2 metres and a beam of 8.2 metres, and was powered by triple expansion engines. The owners at the time were the New Guinea Administration and the Master was Captain Edward Bell. Forty-five people lost their lives.

Database

Site information

Site ID:

450

Type:

Steamer screw

Construction:

Steel

Primary industry:

Transport

Sub-industry:

cargo - international

Gross tonnage:

584

Net tonnage:

Length (mtrs):

52.24

Beam (mtrs):

8.290

Draft (mtrs):

3.688

Cargo:

Supplies

Engine:

Triple expansion

Country built:

GERMANY

State built:

Port built:

Kiel

builder:

Port registered:

When built:

1889

Registration number:

Official number:

Sources:

SMH 30/06/1923, 2/7/1923, 3/7/1923, 5/7/1923, 6/6/1923, 12/7/1923, 13/7/1923, 16/7/1923 Macleay Argus 29 June 1923

Comments:

German vessel, (Norddeutscher Lloyd Line) seized by the C'lth Govt, (Through HMAS Australia), During WW1 and transferred to the New Guinea administration. Crew included 31 New Guineans, 6 Chinese and 7 others. The Captain's mother Mrs Bell

Lost event

When lost:

1923/06/26

Where lost:

Port Macquarie to Crescent Head

Wrecked/Refloated:

Wrecked

Sinking:

Missing

From port:

Sydney

To port:

Rabaul

Master:

Capt Edward Bell

Owner:

New Guinea Administration

Crew:

Passengers:

Crew deaths:

Passenger deaths:

Total deaths:

Location

Maximum latitude:

Minimum latitude:

Maximum longitude:

Minimum longitude:

Datum used:

Datum	Latitude	Longitude	Zone	Easting	Northing
AGD66
AGD84
GDA94
WGS84

Management

Found:

Inspected:

Protected:

Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976

Jurisdiction:

Federal

Protection notes:

Signage:

Web address:

Links

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