Hi Narelle

Nothing to do with his parents , but have you found on Trove / National Library of Australia - Newspapers (All FREE) :

Obituary Clarence River Advocate 23/2/1900 George Kneen , Proprietor of the Ramorie Hotel , " he was one of the survivors of the wreck of the " New England ", he was a Fireman on that ill fated ship.

Sydney Morning Herald 16/1/1883 the wreck of the "New England" on the Clarence River bar.

Cheers
David Dwyer