This note was written by Frances Sutton from information provided by Deirdre Wogan. Photographs are by Robert Davies.

In 1909 the "Penguin" was ship-wrecked off the south coast of Wellington with the loss of 72 lives. Many of those who died were buried in Karori Cemetery. You can see their graves on a self-guided walk in the Karori Cemetery. Ask at the Cemetery office for a copy of the pamphlet. It has a map showing the location of the graves, and notes researched and written by Karori Historical Society member Deirdre Wogan.
 

The McGuire Grave

Four McGuire children, aged 5-12, were drowned. Their mother had died two years before and the two eldest girls and two eldest boys had been temporarily placed in the Nelson orphanage, while the youngest was placed with relations in Wellington. Later the baby was sent to the orphanage to be with the other children, and a boy, Norman, was sent over to be with their father. Their father had recently remarried and the children had been on their way to join him in Wellington; he lived at 6 Brougham Street, Mt Victoria. Mr McGuire worked for the Wellington Gas Company and was a member of the City Mission Band, which headed the public funeral procession. - From the Penguin Walk pamphlet.
 

The Underwood vault

Henry Underwood from Titahi Bay is remembered on the vault. He was a builder by trade and owned property at Newtown and Seatoun. - From the Penguin Walk pamphlet.

Links on the ship-wreck of the Penguin

Christchurch City Libraries: New Zealand disasters

Wellington City Council News release, 19 February 2003