Titled The Lost Ships of Port Stephens and Newcastle, the new publication, written by Noel Wathen and Paul Farnill, is part of the society's project to produce significant books detailing the history of the Port.

The book, which shows the "inspiration and courage of seamen and ship passengers at times of major disasters" is split into two bite-sized reads with the first detailing wrecks between 1790 and 1895 and the second up to 2010.

"The small books record the amazing story of over 500 ships that have been wrecked off the Port Stephens and Newcastle coastline to the extent that this particular area has become known as the 'shipwreck coastline'," Mr Wathen said.

"As in these current time with all of us facing unbelievable challenges, heroes emerge. Within the ship disasters caused by freakish storms, the heroism of some seamen to save passengers and fellow shipmates is recorded in the books and to those of us sitting at home waiting for better days ahead, there is inspiration in their efforts.

"They [books] are part of a continuing project of the Port Stephens Historical Society to produce significant and popular publications of the area in which we live."

The project began more than 18 months ago with the publication of three small books - Escape to Port Stephens, Dawson's Dilemma and Extraordinary People - which navigate the period between 1790 and the 1830s when Europeans first landed and settled in the area.

Due to COVID-19, there will be no official launch of the latest book. But they are currently being stocked by newsagencies across the Nelson Bay area.

They are also available by contacting the society's secretary on 0416 004 779.