The Schooner ‘Latrobe’ was built by Henry Andrew Warneke, in Port Melbourne (previously Sandridge), Victoria, Australia, in 1875.
The ‘Latrobe’ was a steel hulled, two masted Schooner built principally to transport cargo from Melbourne to the various ports within Gippsland’s enormous 400 km² lake and river system. Though at this time the natural entrance joining the lakes to Bass Strait was very unpredictable, dangerous and wandering, plans to construct a permanent entrance for shipping were being discussed and formulated. Some elements had already commenced in 1872, however, it would take another 17 years before the passage would be complete.
Hence, commencing a Melbourne to Gippsland shipping route at this time was extremely ambitious. Though details are sketchy, the specifications of the ‘Latrobe’ were:
A Typical Two Masted Schooner of the Time
Tonnage: 37
Length: 69 ft 6 in (21.2 m)
Depth: 5 ft 3 in (1.6 m)
Owner: Gippsland Steam Navigation Co Ltd
Builder: Henry Andrew Warneke
Registration: Melbourne
With her only form of propulsion being the wind in her sails, the schooner ‘Latrobe’ was vulnerable to the weather conditions, especially when attempting narrow and dangerous passages.
On the 14th March 1878, she attempted to cross from Bass Strait into the Gippsland Lakes, unaided by a tug as was the stipulation of her owners, the Gippsland Steam Navigation Co Ltd, at the time. The wind dropped and the ‘Latrobe’ was quickly whisked onto the western spit of the natural Entrance by the force of the waves and currents.
PS ‘Lady of the Lake’ & PS ‘Rosedale’ assisting the wrecked Schooner ‘Latrobe’ at the Gippsland Lakes Natural Entrance c 1878
Though assisted by two tugs to set her free, the sea was quick to claim her:
” . . . The Bairnsdale Advertiser of Wednesday says : — The Latrobe has, up to the present time, resisted, all attempts to get her off, although both the Lady of the Lake and the Rosedale have tried their hands at the work. At low water she lies high and dry imbedded in the sand. It is therefore impossible to say to what exact extent she is damaged. Some of her cargo is scattered about on the beach, the major part being brought to Bairnsdale on Friday night by the Lady of the Lake . . . “
Source: Excerpt – Gippsland Times (Vic) – published 29th March 1878
View other important events in the history of Gippsland’s Steamers . . .
View other important events in the history of Victoria’s Coastal Runs . . .
