Earl of Charlemont
the Earl of Charlemont which was shipwrecked off Barwon Heads on 18 June 1853.
- WRECK OF THE EARL OF CHARLEMONT.
- The following is the statement of Captain Garner of the ill-fated Earl of Charlemont:—
- Made Cape Otway Lighthouse, between two and three o'clock on Friday afternoon. Steered N.E. by E., wind S. W. Double-reefed topsails, furled foresail, mainsail, and jib: sailing about four knots. Continued this course until about half past five o'clock, when hove to. At this time I judged the ship to be about six or seven miles from the land; weather squally with rain, and hazy; About eleven o'clock wore ship. Steered from S.E. by S., to S.S.E., until three o'clock, a. m., on Saturday. Squally, with rain. Wore ship to W. N. W. No land In sight. Supposed that the ship during the time she was hove to, had drifted from the land; judged that the land was about eight miles distant. Steered the above course until half past 4 a.m. Wore ship to bear up for the harbor, which I judged to be distant about 15 miles, bearing N.E. About twenty minutes after this, found the ship in a sea way, which proved to be breakers. Immediately put the helm hard to port, and in a few seconds the ship struck heavily. I was on deck from ten minutes to 4 o'clock, a.m., to the time she struck. Set the foresail. In about ten minutes the tiller and wheel were carried away. At daylight ordered the foremast to be cut away, to lighten the ship forward, and get her further on the beach. Cut away the main-top mast rigging and back-stays, reserving the milnyard to get the boats out. Gig launched, and swamped. Jolly boat launched to convey a line on shore—it capsized, but the crew retained the line, and made it fast to the rocks. The line, however, was of no use, having fouled among some rocks in deep water. The long boat was next launched, and it capsized; then the life boat, and it capsized—both boats losing the line. The latter boat was saved from damage, and hauled up on shore by the crew. A passenger now volunteered to swim ashore with a line from the jib-boom, and succeeded in landing. To the line we attached a strong rope, which he and the men already there hauled on shore, and made fast to the rocks. The officers and men then launched the life-boat from the shore, and made the ship. This boat we now slung by head and stern, like a cradle, to the strong rope already made fast from the ship to the shore, and landed the passengers, the ladies and children first, then the invalids and married men, and then the remainder, the captain remaining on board, and attending at the gangway, until all the passengers had been safely landed; the whole being effected without accident, by about half-past 8 o'clock at night. The cargo consists of coal, iron, bale and case goods; no spirits or tobacco on board. [1]
- THE WRECK OF THE EARL OF CHARLEMONT. The Anonyma, schooner, returned from the wreck of this vessel yesterday. She arrived off Flinder's Head on Monday afternoon, and cruised up and down for a few miles in the hope of finding a practicable landing-place, but the heavy sea rendered it impossible to land within six miles of the wreck. The Anonyma stood in close to the wreck outside the reef, but as neither provisions nor men could be got ashore, and the passengers by the unfortunate vessel had received every assistance overland from Geelong, the schooner returned to her station off Williamstown, having passed through the Channel during the night. We may as well mention that Captain Taylor and the Second Mate of the Boomerang swam across the Barwon River to render assistance — a feat not very easily accomplished in cold and rough weather. Some credit is also due to Captain Ashby, of the Anonyma for his promptness and skill in taking the schooner to Flinder's Head and back in so short a space of time. [2]
- ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS OF THE WRECK AT BARWON HEADS.— Where the Earl of Charlemont struck is to the westward of the west head of the Barwon. A warp was got from the ship and made fast to a rock. Several of the boats were stove, but the life-boat escaped, and the passengers landed. None of the luggage is saved. The only cargo on board is about 100 tons of iron and some coal. Intelligence of the wreck was brought to the Heads by the Dockenhuden. Mr. Campbell immediately went by land to see whether any assistance could be rendered but being unable to cross the Barwon, he returned to the Heads and sent an express to Geelong. Meanwhile Mr. Taylor, the master of the pilot schooner Boomerang, swam across the Barwon, and with great dlfficulty landed in a very exhausted condition. This is the third wreck at which Mr. Taylor has rendered assistance within the last few days, — the Frisk, the Sea, and the Earl of Charlemont. The passengers were received with the utmost kindness by Mr. McVean who distributed a considerable quantity of flour, sugar &c., amongst them and accommodated the sick and exhausted in his house, and as many as possible of the remainder in the out-houses. On Sunday morning, the Assistant Immigration Agent, and the Harbor Master, having been informed of the catastrophe, immediately procured a supply of provisions, and proceeded to Mr. McVean's station. On the road, several small parties were met and relieved, and were received into the Immigration Depot the same evening. As Mr. McVean was unable to accommodate so large a number in his house, large fires were lighted, and the night being fortunately fine was passed tolerably well. The next morning the sick and feeble were placed in the drays which had brought the provisions and were conveyed to the depot. During the day several drays were sent to assist in removing the people, and many persons went over from Geelong; amongst them was the Mayor, Dr Baylie, the Collector of Customs, &c. A guard of mounted police has been sent to the wreck, to protect the property on board, and if the weather remains moderate much may be saved, although damaged by sea water. — Geelong Advertiser. [3]
