The journey to, from, and, through Victoria’s Port Phillip Bay proved treacherous during the early years of settlement and shipping, remembering that ships were the only efficient form of transport in those early years. The bay and the notorious ‘Rip‘ would claim an estimated 180 ships up to the mid 20th century, the first of which is believed to be the cutter ‘Prince Albert’ in the November of 1840.
” . . . Wreck. – Extract from a letter, dated Point Nepean, 19th November, 1840 :- ” I am under the painful necessity of informing you, that a cutter has been wrecked between this place and Cape Schank. There is part of the vessel about two miles from us, but not the appearance of any human being; no doubt they all met a watery grave. The vessel must have been lost during the late southerly gales. It would seem that some of the crew took to the whale boat, as there are the remains of a man upon the beach. I have sent a letter, picked up, directed to a Mr. Wignell. It was in a small Indian cigar case, with a long lock of female’s hair. There were several newspapers directed to you. The vessel’s name is the Prince Albert. There is no appearance of a cargo.” The letter alluded to is dated Sydney, September 28, and the party to whom it is addressed may obtain it by application at the Gazette Office . . . “
Source: Excerpt – ‘Courier’ (Hobart, Tas) – Article “Port Phillip” – published 8th December 1840
Washed ashore during gale force winds, her cargo of wheat, maize and mail was lost, but thankfully:
” . . . The Prince Albert – There were only four persons on board this unfortunate vessel, who were supplied with provisions at Western Port by Mr. Cameron, on the afternoon of the day on which the tempestuous gale from the southward set in. – Port Phillip Gazette, Nov. 25 . . . “
Source: Excerpt – ‘Courier’ (Hobart, Tas) – Article “Port Phillip” – published 8th December 1840
The exact location of the wreck remains a mystery. It is known that the ‘Prince Albert’ was wrecked somewhere between Point Nepean and Cape Schanck, however, it would be an assumption to presuppose that perhaps it happened somewhat closer to Cape Schanck, as it was just around the corner, in Western Port that the men were able to seek help . . .
Diagram of a ‘Cutter’
” . . . Wreck. – Extract from a letter, dated Point Nepean, 19th November, 1840 :- ” I am under the painful necessity of informing you, that a cutter has been wrecked between this place and Cape Schank. There is part of the vessel about two miles from us, but not the appearance of any human being; no doubt they all met a watery grave. The vessel must have been lost during the late southerly gales. It would seem that some of the crew took to the whale boat, as there are the remains of a man upon the beach. I have sent a letter, picked up, directed to a Mr. Wignell. It was in a small Indian cigar case, with a long lock of female’s hair. There were several newspapers directed to you. The vessel’s name is the Prince Albert. There is no appearance of a cargo.” The letter alluded to is dated Sydney, September 28, and the party to whom it is addressed may obtain it by application at the Gazette Office . . . “
Source: Excerpt – ‘Courier’ (Hobart, Tas) – Article “Port Phillip” – published 8th December 1840
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