CHAPTER XLIII.
SHIPWRECKS. SYNOPSIS:—The First Shipwreck.—Loss of the Steamer " Clonmel."—Arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Cashmore. — Wreck of the " Cataraqui."—jgg Persons Drowned.—Succour by Mr. David Howie.—Public Meeting to supply Funds.— Mr. George Coppin gives a Benefit.—Presentations to the Succourers.—Five Graves in a Lonely Churchyard.— Government Memorial.—Alleged Drowning of Mr. Guthrie.—Other Marine Catastrophes.
fHE first recorded shipwreck is that of the brig "Britannia" on the 29th March, 1839. She sailed from Launceston in c o m m a n d of Captain Gibson, and passed safely through Port Phillip Heads. Anchor was cast some distance off the R e d Bluff (St. Kilda), and about 10 p.m. she drove from her"first,and at 11 parted with her second anchor. A n attempt was then m a d e to get sail on her with a view to crossing the Bay, but the vessel was driven under the Bluff and ran ashore. T h e next morning she was high and dry, when her cargo of sheep was discharged, nearly all of them being saved. It was stated that during 1839 the "Sara," "Yarra Yarra," "Lady Franklin," and "Port Phillip Packet" schooners employed in the Melbourne trade had disappeared at sea, and were never accounted for. In January, 1840, the " Britomart," from Melbourne to Hobart T o w n , was wrecked off Cape Portland. Three cabin and several steerage passengers were lost. A chest containing the captain's clothes, register, and ,£1800 in bills was subsequently picked up on Preservation Island. Loss
OF THE STEAMER
"
CLONMEL."
During the end of 1840, the Melbourne newspapers were loud and joyous in their paeans on the arrival of the " Clonmel," a steamer sent out from England to trade between the ports of Sydney, Melbourne, and Launceston; but the vessel on her third trip to Port Phillip met with a watery grave under the following circumstances:—On the afternoon of the 30th December, the " Clonmel" left Sydney for Melbourne with passengers and crew consisting of seventy-five individuals, and a valuable general cargo. At daylight the 1st January, Cape H o w e bore W . S. W., and in the course of the morning R a m H e a d was sighted, and a fresh departure taken, steering for Wilson's Promontory. T h e wind was fair, with smooth sea; the course S. W . y2 W., with wind and sea continuing favourable during the day and night. A little after 3 a.m of the 2nd, all the passengers were startled by the ship striking heavily. Rushing on to the deck, breakers were perceived ahead. Finding that the engines were of no avail, orders were given to lighten her by throwing overboard some of the cargo, but without the desired effect, the vessel still surging higher upon the reef. T h e anchors were then let go, when after a few more bumps, she swung head to wind, taking the ground with her stern, and bedding herself, with the fall of tide, upon the sand, rolling hard and striking occasionally. During the whole of this trying scene the most exemplary conduct was shown by the crew in obeying the orders of the captain and officers. W h e n daylight, m a d e its appearance, it was ascertained that the steamer was on shore on a sandspit at the entrance of Corner Inlet, Gippsland, about half a mile from the beach between which and the vessel a heavy surf was rolling. Captain Tollervy's conduct h d hitherto been that of a careful and watchful commander; he was on deck during the whole of the 'ddle watch which he himself kept, anxiously on the look out, and was on the paddle-box at the time the vessel struck; but as the night was misty, nothing could be seen beyond the length of the 1 T h e captain on finding all attempts to get the vessel off unavailing, and a strong sea rising 'tl the flood tide turned his attention to the safety of the passengers and crew. After several trips NN
