The ship ‘Sussex‘ was a Blackwall Clipper, built by Money Wigram & Son’s – Northem Yard, Southhampton in England.
She was launched in March 1853.
The ship ‘Sussex’ had successfully completed 28 voyages from England to Australia, transporting thousands of passengers and immigrants and tonnes of cargo. Upon approaching Port Phillip on her final journey, it would be an error of judgement of their location by the captain, who, incidentally, had completed the run at least 6 times prior to this one – that would result in her demise . . .
” . . . The startling intelligence of an inward bound ship having gone ashore at Barwon Heads ushered in the new year. Everything at first was vague and most unsatisfactory, as two ships, names unknown, but supposed to be the Kosciusko and Sussex from London, passed Cape Otway on Sunday. The news was brought to Queenscliff, at 3 a.m., by a trooper, who could only give the intelligence that a ship was ashore and required assistance. Captain Payne, the chief harbour master, was at once place in possession of the information, and immediately proceed to the scene of disaster to render assistance . . . “
At 1 p.m., the wires announced that the ship was the Sussex, from London, and that the vessel went ashore at 9.30 p.m. on Sunday, one mile west of Barwon Heads, and that the third officer with six men had been sent to Queenscliff for assistance. They left the ship at midnight, and had not up to 6 p.m. yesterday been again heard of or seen. At about eleven a.m., the passengers and crew, having secured all their effects and luggage, with the exception of that which was stowed away in the hold, went on board the Warhawk (abandoning the ship, she being then full of water), and came up to Hobson’s Bay where they arrived shortly after three o’clock. It then transpired that the error of judgement made was that Capt. Collar, considering he had run his distance from the Otway, mistook the flash light of the pilot vessel for that of Cape Schank, and accordingly hauled up for what he supposed to be Port Phillip Heads, but which as shown proved to be Barwon Heads. On observing the breakers shortly afterwards, the helm was put down to stag the ship,m but before she had time to come round she struck, and that so heavily that the well – which was at once sounded – showed three feet of water in the hold . . . “
” . . . As regards the missing boat’s crew, we give the following telegram, which for a time gave rise to hopes that the crew had not met with the fate that was supposed, as it was feared that the boat was drifted and was probably by the heavy surf which almost always makes there ; for had she been capsized the two oars and three buckets that were found in her must have been washed out.
The following are the names of those that went in the boat: – Mr Flaherty, third officer ; Labdon, Feast, Coke, Churcher, Graham, and Salker [?].
Telegram. – Missing boat from Sussex has been found by constable Collin, one mile this side of Barwon Heads, with two oars and three buckets in her. She was broadside on to beach. Nothing seen of officer and crew that went in her. I have requested constable to revisit the spot and search the bush, and also give information to the fishermen. I will go to her in the steaming Challenge. – (signed) C B PAYNE . . . “
Source: Excerpts – ‘Portland Guardian & Normanby General Advertiser (Vic) – Article “Wreck of the Ship Sussex from London, off Barwon Heads” – published 29th January 1872
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The Inquiry
Four days after the fateful wreck of the ship ‘Sussex’, which claimed six lives, the Steam Navigation Board launched an inquiry into the incident:
” . . . The Steam Navigation Board on Thursday commenced an inquiry into the cause of the stranding of the Sussex, off Barwon Heads, on the night of 31st December. The investigation proceeded sufficiently far that day to indicate that the cause of the disaster was the mistake made by the captain in supposing that he was in the vicinity of Cape Schanck lighthouse when the look-out on board his vessel reported lights on the starboard quarter. That a strong flash-light was seen is now certain. The evidence of the second officer, the quarter-master, and three able seamen is clear and explicit on that point. A cabin passenger who volunteered his evidence described the light to be like the revolving lights he had seen on the English coast. Neither he nor any one on board seemed to have a moment’s doubt that from its brilliance and intermittent character it was the Schanck light and they were only convinced to the contrary after the captain had altered his course to shape for the Heads, and given orders to keep a look-out for Point Lonsdale light, by the ship running amongst the breakers. The witnesses spoke very positively of the captain’s unremitting attention to his duty from the time that land at Cape Otway was reported, and a very careful look-out was kept up during the whole night . . . “
” . . . On Thursday Mr. H. A. Coffey sold the wreck by public auction for £6800, the purchaser being Mr. Miller, of the Prince of Wales Hotel, Market Square, on behalf of a number of Geelong speculators. According to the conditions of sale, the passengers luggage is not included in it. The value of the cargo is stated by the Home News to be £41,000. Of course the success of the venture entirely depends upon whether the ship will hold together for sufficient time to allow the cargo to be got out . . . “
Source: Excerpts – ‘Advocate’ (Melbourne) – Article “The Wrecked Ship Sussex” – published 6th January 1872
The clipper ‘Sussex’ survived that ravages of the sea for the months of January and February. Salvage operations were carried out by Mr. Miller and partners, of Geelong in Victoria, during this time. Divers, steam tugs, boats, rafts, bullocks, drays and even the construction of a tramway over the sand dune – were all used to recover as much cargo as was possible. The group of investors realised an overall profit of £11,900. It was reported that the remaining hull was on-sold to the men who had worked on the salvage operation for the sum of £375, however, the ‘Sussex’ succumbed to the sea before it could be pulled to pieces. She settled on the sea bottom at a depth of approximately 6 m . . .
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The Fate of the Rescue Crew
The third officer, rather than wait for daybreak, was ordered by the captain to leave the wreck at midnight, in a whaleboat accompanied by six crewmen. Though the seas were rough, they followed orders and attempted to reach land to get help – all but one perished:
” . . . Their boat overturned, and all but one were drowned . . . ”
Source: Excerpt – ‘Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate’ (NSW) – Article “Sussex Wreck Recalled” – published 12th December 1953
The testimony of the sole survivor read:
” . . . James Labdon said – I am an able seaman, and was on board the ship Sussex which was wrecked. I identify the body that has just been viewed as that of Samuel Feast, an able seaman engaged on board of the same ship. He was about 27 years of age, I believe he was born at Brighton, England. We sighted Cape Otway about 10 o’clock on the morning of the 31st December, 1871, and sailed along the coast with a fair wind. The wind was dead aft, and favourable all along till the vessel struck. All the sails were set when the ship struck the land, between 9 and 10 o’clock. It was a fine night, clear and starlight, and there was only a slight breeze from the W.S.W. All hands were called at 8 p.m., and the Captain said no watch would be required until we got a pilot. About an hour and a half after this the ship struck. Orders were then given to turn the vessel about so as to avoid the land. The whale-boat was ordered to be got ready and lowered. The chief mat and captain issued these instructions. The whale-boat was on the port quarter, and being lowered was brought round to starboard. She was then manned, when the ship lurched over on her, and all jumped out except two men. The captain sung out for other men to man her. Some of those who went in her subsequently went willingly, and others did not. Feast, Graham, witness, another seaman jumped into her. The third mate, Flaherty, was one of the two who were originally in the boat. I was a volunteer, and so was Feast, and I believe the greatest part of them were volunteers. The chief mate came up to me and said, “I know you’re a man ; jump into the boat,” The third mate had his orders from the captain, who stated that he would see a light on the point, but when we got up to this point we could see no light at all. The sea was very rough when we left the vessel. When we got off this point, not being able to see any light, the mate alter his mind and directed the boat to be brought to the leeward of the point for shelter. This turned out to be Barwon Point. When we got about three-quarters of a mile from the shore, we had the bow of the boat on to the surf, when a heavy roller brough her broadside on, and the second roller that succeeded, being heavier than the first, capsized the boat. We all scrambled from beneath, and I remember seeing four men besides myself afterwards clinging to the keel. Among them I recognized the third officer. Another heavy roller came and washed us all off the boat, and I only observed the man Graham afterwards, who sank close alongside of me. Graham was struggling hard and I felt his hands grasping my legs, and had to get away from him. He sank about two feet from where I was. While swimming I stripped my clothes and boots, and made for the lee side of the point. I had to swim about three-quarters of a mile before I could get into a sheltered position, and I was about two and a half hours in the water before I reached the shore. I know the surf would was me inwards, and had my senses all right till I got on the sand, when I fell and became unconscious from exhaustion. When I recovered I found myself on an island, and from thence I had to swim about three-quarters of a mile to the mainland. I believe I must have been upwards of half an hour in a state of unconsciousness. It was dawn when I reached the main land, and I had to walk about two miles to the nearest farm-house. The third mate told me when I got into the boat, that the captain stated he would see a light at the point, and direct him to go there for assistance. We did not know the name of the Point we were pulling for. I saw no light after getting into the boat. None of those who were frightened and jumped out of the boat in the first instance went back again. The third mate had all the instructions from the captain as to the management of the boat. One of the seamen lost was named Churcher . . . “
Source: Excerpt – ‘Geelong Advertiser’ (Vic) – Article “The Sussex Boat’s Crew” – published 11th January 1872
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