The HMS Orpheus was a 91-gun wooden battleship of the Royal Navy, launched in 1861 and serving in various capacities, including the Pacific station. On February 7, 1863, the ship departed Sydney, Australia, headed for Auckland, New Zealand. While navigating the treacherous waters of the Manukau Harbour, the Orpheus encountered a sudden and intense squall that overwhelmed the crew and compromised the ship’s stability. In just a matter of minutes, the vessel capsized, leading to an appalling loss of life. Out of the 259 personnel aboard, 189 perished, making it one of the deadliest maritime disasters in New Zealand’s early colonial history.

The tragedy drew attention not only to maritime safety issues but also to the geographical challenges of the Manukau Harbour, which is notorious for its unpredictability. Rescue and recovery operations were hampered by the weather and the challenging waters of the harbour. The criminal and civil inquiries that followed raised questions about the navigational practices and safety measures in place at the time, which ultimately contributed to improvements in naval procedures and safety regulations in New Zealand.

In the wake of the disaster, the New Zealand government and the Royal Navy undertook a review of the protocols governing maritime operations. This led to increased awareness of weather patterns in the region and a greater emphasis on the treatment of maritime disasters, underscoring the need for better training and equipment for sailors facing adverse conditions.