The Gap Sydney N.S.W., from Sight of th…

On the night of 20 August, 1857, the Dunbar approached the entrance to Sydney Harbour from the south, but heavy rain and a strong gale made navigating difficult. The ship’s captain, either erroneously believing he had already passed the harbour’s southern headland or mistaking a smaller break in the coastline known as The Gap for the port’s entrance, drove the ship onto rocks. The force of the gale caused the Dunbar to break up. Crew member James Johnson was thrown against the cliffs from the impetus of the collision and managed to scramble to safety, however he remained undiscovered for two days. The remainder of the passengers and crew were drowned.