---
title: "Australia’s Deadliest Maritime Disaster: The Cataraqui"
description: "August 1845. Just miles from safety, the emigrant ship Cataraqui struck the jagged reefs of King Island. Over 400 souls were lost in what remains Australia’s worst civil maritime disaster. We’re…"
url: https://thedavemalouchannel.com/australias-deadliest-maritime-disaster-the-cataraqui
category: "Shipping and Ports"
published: 2026-04-09
author: "The Dave & Malou Channel"
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
---

# Australia’s Deadliest Maritime Disaster: The Cataraqui

August 1845. Just miles from safety, the emigrant ship Cataraqui struck the jagged reefs of King Island. Over 400 souls were lost in what remains Australia’s worst civil maritime disaster. We’re looking back at the tragic night that changed our maritime history forever. #thedavemalouchannel #shipwreck #cataraqui #australiahistory #truestories

## Images

![Australia’s Deadliest Maritime Disaster: The Cataraqui](https://thedavemalouchannel.com/api/photo/211?s=full)

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