SS Oakland (1890)
SS Oakland was a small coastal cargo and passenger ship built in Dumbarton, Scotland in 1890 for William T Yeager of New South Wales. It served the NSW coast, operating mainly Sydney to Ballina and the Richmond River, and later carried passengers on some trips.
The ship endured several incidents over the years. It ran aground at Ballina in 1891, collided with the Sydney near Budgewoi in 1893, and a seasick passenger drowned in 1895. In 1897 it damaged its propeller crossing the bar at Ballina, and it repeatedly grounded on the Ballina bar and at the Richmond River between 1896 and 1899. A collision with the Sarah L Hixson occurred in 1901. The passenger saloon was removed in 1900, returning the Oakland to cargo service. After an overhaul, it resumed service in 1902.
On 26 May 1903, while carrying coal from Newcastle to Richmond, the Oakland foundered in very rough seas near Cabbage Tree Island. Eleven people died, including the captain; seven survived after being rescued by the SS Bellinger. The wreck now lies about 27 meters deep and is protected as a historic shipwreck and a popular dive site.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 00:37 (CET).