Fr T.J. Linane, From Abel to Zundolovich, Vol. 2: Biographies of Priests on the Australian Scene up to 1900, 1980, p 45:

Clarke, Patrick, Irish
Drowning Fatality on South Coast of N.S.W.
The sad story of Clarke's career and end can be read in the Australasian Catholic Record of April 1968, in an article written by Fr. Roger Wynne P.P., North Parramatta. All Hallows records give the spelling of the name as Clark, without the 'e', but that is incidental. He was born in July 1853 at Columbkille, Diocese of Armagh, County Longford; parents being Michael and Anne (McCormack). Early studies were at St. Mel's College, Longford; and he spent the training years at All Hallows from 1875 to 1881. Ordination took place on June 24, 1881, and at the end of that year he arrived in the Sydney Archdiocese, then governed by Archbishop Roger Bede Vaughan OSB. The first year or two were spent with the saintly Dean Leonard at Darlinghurst. Then came an appointment as assistant in Shoalhaven. Seemingly he was caring for the Kiama parish temporarily when the tragic drowning occurred. The occasion was a visit of Archbishop Vaughan to that place, in the company of Father Riordan, P.P. of Kiama, and Father Ryan of Albion Park. The visitors were received by the youthful pastor, Michael McGrath of Shoalhaven, and assistant, Patrick Clarke. Father Wynne describes the tragedy: "On Friday, 12 January 1883 at about 11 o'clock Fathers McGrath and Clarke, taking advantage of a brief lull in visitation activities, decided to seek relief from the oppressive humidity in the cool refreshing surf that lapped the presbytery grounds. Strangers, all of them to the locality, they had one objective in mind, a quiet spot away from the public gaze ..... the spot they were selecting was, in fact notorious for its treacherous rips and undercurrents. Arrived at Kendall's beach, Father Ryan took one look at its angry mood and decided to continue his stroll along the headland while his companions, McGrath and Clarke, entered the surf. Returning a little later he sensed at once that something very serious was the matter; the younger priest appeared to be drowning despite the frantic efforts of his companion to keep him afloat. Immediately the alarm was raised and Dr. John Caird, whose house was nearby, was one of the first on the scene. With remarkable courage for which he was afterwards publicly commended, the doctor dived in to the rescue, only to be beaten back again and again on to the sharp rocks. Meanwhile word had been flashed to the presbytery and Dr. Vaughan had come hurrying down, a lonely figure as he took his stand among the ever increasing number of spectators, raising his arms to impart an absolution and blessing to the drowning priests. Eventually a rope was procured and with its help Dr. Caird and Father Riordan succeeded in recovering the bodies ... The funeral procession to the Gerringong Cemetery stretched for half a mile and included, as well as hundreds of men on foot and horseback, every type of vehicle from stately coach to humble farm cart ... The Archbishop read the burial prayers and spoke feelingly of the tragic loss the diocese had sustained in the deaths of the two excellent priests, one aged 35, the other 26 ......"
All Hallows records would seem to show that Clarke's age was 29, instead of 26. A tablet in St. Thomas' Churchyard, Petersham, gives the impression that Patrick Clarke is buried among the honoured dead in that vicinity. Seemingly it is simply a memorial tablet.
(Footprints, Vol. 2, No. 5)
Ref.: As quoted, per Fr. Roger Wynne P.P. Nth. Parramatta