1929

On 8 February 1929, Bondi witnessed a shark attack and days later was cover in debris after the steamer SS Annie M. Miller sank nearby.

The first tragedy, about 4pm, involved decorated WWI serviceman John Gibson, 39, who had recently moved to Bondi from Melbourne with his wife. He was swimming about 70 metres from the beach when he was attacked by a shark. Quick assistance from other swimmers failed to save Gibson, who was rushed to hospital but died on arrival. He was buried two days later at Waverley Cemetery.

Four hours after the attack, the collier steamer SS Annie M. Miller was returning from Bulli to Rose Bay loaded with coal when it ran into trouble near Macquarie Lighthouse, newspapers reported. Crew tried to launch two lifeboats, but one was full of water and another was swept overboard.

Able seaman Kenneth McRae, who was thrown into the water, grabbed a lifeboat, then fished five shipmates from the sea and were soon rescued. A search found no trace of the six missing crew, including the captain. The following Monday, debris washed ashore at North Bondi and was taken to the North Bondi Life Saving Club House.

When questioned about the ordeal, the ship’s cook, George Wheatley, said he was more worried about surviving in shark-infested water than making it to shore.

Crew statements to a marine court inquiry said the vessel had already experienced problems while loading and had listed twice, indicating the cargo was not evenly balanced. The sea was also getting choppy and rather than pull into Botany Bay, Captain Pilling, 78, pressed on for Rose Bay at full power. The decision proved fateful.

Like many boats that sank during the coal trade boom along the NSW coast (1880-1950s), the SS Annie M. Miller was subject to intense commercial pressures and turning a blind eye on the Navigation Act was common.

The court exonerated the company, but in 1959 it lost the SS Birchgrove Park, in similar circumstances. Today, the wreck of the SS Annie M.Miller, resting 43 meters below the surface, is a diving site.

Courtesy Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales.