Bruce E. Collins: The Wreck Of The Penguin

Steele Roberts

$34.95

Most of us would nominate the Wahine if asked what was the worst shipwreck in 20th-century New Zealand.

The sinking of the Penguin, also near Wellington, at Cape Terawhiti, in 1909 resulted in the loss of 72 lives. It was our Titanic and one that left unclear who was at fault.

The Penguin's captain, Francis Naylor, shouldered much of the blame but Collins has pieced together evidence that the Penguin may have struck a submerged wreck rather than Thoms Rock, as found by a marine inquiry.

The fate of the Penguin was an important episode in our maritime history recalled through Collins' diligent research.