The TSS Belbowrie was built at Brisbane Water on the NSW Central Coast in 1911. It was 37 metres long and displaced 218 tons. The Belbowrie had a long list of owners and was involved in several notable incidents before it was wrecked in 1939. In 1923, in bad weather and with a load of timber, the Belbowrie ran aground on Wanda Beach. The timber was removed and the ship refloated, suffering no damage. In 1938 the Belbowrie rescued two fishermen off Norah Head on the NSW Central Coast after their boat had sunk.

On its final voyage, the Belbowrie left Balmain in Sydney Harbour at 7 pm on 16 January 1939 with a crew of ten to take on a cargo of blue metal from Shellharbour. Weather conditions were poor, with a strong southerly wind blowing. Believing he had navigated the ship safely out to sea, Captain PR Dixon went below, leaving the mate in charge.

Shortly afterwards, the Belbowrie struck rocks at the southern end of Maroubra Beach. With the engine room flooded and waves breaking over it, the Belbowrie started to break up. The crew was rescued when ropes were secured from shore to ship, and with help from the police and locals, the crew made their way hand over hand along the ropes. Crew members were treated for shock at Maroubra Ambulance Station. By the next morning the vessel was declared a total loss, valued at 6,000 pounds.