What is Australias worst shipwreck?
On 5 August 1845 the Cataraqui struck rocks on the south-western coast of King Island (north of Tasmania). Pssengers (mostly emigrants) were swept overboard as the ship sank. Despite the close proximity to land, surrounding reefs and high seas prevented most passengers from reaching shore. Only nine of the 409 passengers survived. (Source: http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/historic/shipw/cat.html).
