"S.S. Bombo"Print Page 
A monument commemorates crew members of S.S. Bombo who drowned when the ship sunk in 1949. A plaque commemorating the 50th anniversary of the sinking was added to the memorial in 1999.
At 11.55 am on 22 February 1949, the Bombo left Kiama for Sydney with 650 tons of metal aboard and a crew of 14. Just off Port Kembla, a southerly change had hit the vessel turning a pleasant day into a nightmare. At 4.00 pm when north of Stanwell Park, a huge wave went right over the ship causing a list to port as the cargo shifted.
Captain Bell decided to make a run for Port Kembla Harbour where the Bombo could shelter while the blue metal was retrimmed. At 5.00 pm a message was sent to the coastal radio station at La Perouse that the Bombo had turned around. When only four kilometres from safety, the ship sank. When only four kilometres from safety, the ship sank. Of the crew of 14, 12 men perished.
Location
| Address: | Terralong Street, Black Beach Bay, Kiama, 2533 |
|---|---|
| State: | NSW |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -34.670567 Long: 150.855775 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Monument |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | Disaster |
| Sub-Theme: | Maritime |
| Actual Event Start Date: | 22-February-1949 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 22-February-1949 |
Dedication
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Saturday 3rd July, 1971 |
|---|
In Memory Of The Crew Of S. S. Bombo
Which Sank 22nd February 1949,
Returning From Kiama With Blue Metal.
Drowned
Arthur Robert Bell (Captain) Henry Stringer (Mate)
Percy Carroll (Chief Engineer) John Stevenson (2nd Engineer)
Edward Neagle (Fireman) Ernest Norris (Fireman)
Thomas Belvoir (Fireman) C. Barhen (A.B.)
W. J Cunningham (A.B.) Laurence Lucey (A.B)
Arthur Lightburn (Cook) G. Riddell (Steward)
Survivors
Thorvald Thomson (A.B.) Michael Fitzsimons (Fireman)
Plaque :
Lodge Kiama No. 35 U.G.L. of N.S.W. and A.C.T.
This Plaque,
Unveiled by Her Worship, the Mayor of Kiama
Councillor JOYCE WHEATLEY
Commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the
Sinking Of The S. S. Bombo
Returning to Sydney loaded with Blue Metal
22nd February, 1949.
A Memorial Service to the S. S. Bombo, and Crew
who lost their life, was carried out on the
20th February, 1999
by Masonic Lodge members and Members of the
Southern Branch of the M.U.A. of Australia and
the residents of Kiama.
D.G.I.W. V. Wor. Bro. Ross Bush
Worshipful Master Bro. Robert Burke
Southern Branch Maritime Union of Australia
Secretary, Lodge Kiama R. W. Bro. Stan Keough
Chaplain Mission to Seaman Lance Puckeridge
So mote it be
Note: In Freemasonry, "So mote it be" is the equivalent of "Amen"
or "As God wills it to be."
