Well known right along the South Coast, the steamer Kameruka had been on its way to Ulladulla in 1897 when it struck a rock near Pedro Point.

The Kameruka was one of the Illawarra Steam Navigation Company's fleet and, along with the Allowrie, was a popular passenger vessel operating along the coast.

It had been built in 1880 expressly for the company by Russell & Co, of Greenock, Scotland.

Measuring 179 feet, six inches long and 24 feet five inches at the beam with an eight-foot deep hold, its gross tonnage was 515 tons, and 300 tons net.

Early in its time in Australian coastal waters (in February 1882), the Kameruka had been involved in a collision with the ketch Esther Maria six miles north of Beecroft Point.

On its way from Sydney to Jervis Bay at the time, the Esther Maria quickly foundered and the mate Charles Greenwood was drowned.

No blame was apportioned to Captain Stephen Bishop, who was in charge at that time, but this was not the case when the Kameruka was wrecked some 15 years later when Captain Bishop was the chief officer, but not in charge.

The ship had been the first from the ISNC to call at Bermagui; and it departed from that port at 8.30 on Saturday evening, October 16, 1897, with about 30 passengers aboard. Although the night was clear and starry, there was a big sea running.

Second officer Charles McLaughlin had control of the vessel for the first part of the journey, but he was relieved around 11pm by Captain William Oscar Hersee.

Thomas Oakley was at the wheel, and a look-out had noticed nothing before the ship struck a rock on the southern portion of Pedro Point, about two miles from Moruya Heads near midnight.

The bottom was extensively damaged, so that water quickly ran into the steamer.

Captain Hersee kept the engines going, to force the Kameruka up onto the reef, and to present her stern to the seas.

The passengers rushed up on deck to be faced by another danger - that of being washed into the raging seas.

While the ship's boats were being prepared for the water, it was decided it was too rough for them to be used in the rescue. Throughout the commotion, Captain Hersee fell from the bridge onto the main deck and was rendered unconscious, leaving other crew to take command.

After many failed attempts, lines from the steamer reached the shore, and the first passenger to enter the cradle and be taken the 150 yards to dry land was a passenger from Bermagui, Mrs Bass and her baby.

Cheers greeted her landing, and all other passengers and crew followed in quick succession.

Captain Hersee regained consciousness in Moruya Hospital, and he and McLaughlin were subsequently charged by the Marine Board over the wreck.

McLaughlin claimed that the captain had been drinking (although not badly intoxicated) but this was refuted by two passengers who had spent two hours with him in his cabin.

Despite his 34 years as a master on the North and South Coasts, Captain Hersee admitted liability and had his captain's certificate cancelled. McLaughlin, who had legal representation at the inquiry, escaped with a reprimand.

No time was wasted in finding a replacement vessel for the Kameruka; within a week company manager Captain A C Turner had inspected the Otway with a view to it taking over the run.

Although a little older than its predecessor, the Otway was slightly larger and no time was wasted in having it modified for the new role.