 During a trip from Sydney to Newcastle on the 17 March 1920 the coastal trader "Queen Bee", had left Sydney shortly before noon when about three miles off Long Reef struck a submerged object and broke the port propeller shaft.An effort was made to return to Sydney, but owing to the heavy southerly swell and the winds was unable to do so.The vessel reached Broken Bay to inform its owners and was then brought on to Newcastle under her own steam to be put upon the slip at Stockton.