The SS ‘Despatch’ was an Iron Hulled Screw Steamer, built in Rutherglen, Scotland, in 1869.
The propeller driven, iron hulled screw steamer SS ‘Despatch’, was originally built with 2 funnels. Incidentally, the original term for a ‘propeller’ was a ‘screw’ . . .
Net Tonnage: 237
Length: 151 ft (46 m)
Beam: 20 ft 1 in (6.1 m)
Depth: 10 ft 3 in (3.1 m)
Owner: Huddart Parker & Co.
Timeline:
1869 → the SS ‘Despatch’ was commissioned to service the Port Phillip Bay passenger trade between Melbourne and Geelong
1877 → for 16 years from the year 1877, the SS ‘Despatch’ served as a Victorian Government steamer and lighthouse tender under charter – she would loose one of her funnels at an unconfirmed date during this time . . .
16 Jan 1891 → the SS ‘Despatch’ lost her engines:
“Steamer Despatch in Distress
A wire was posted outside the telegraph office yesterday from Cape Schanck, stating that the steamer Despatch was off there from daylight, with her engines broken down, and requiring immediate assistance. The steamer Coogee passed; but although rockets were fired from the Despatch, they failed to attract attention. At the time of wiring a steamer was in sight inwards bound, and would probably go to her assistance . . . “
– Source: Excerpt – ‘Newcastle Morning Herald’ – published 16th January 1891
27 Feb 1892 → the disabled SS ‘Despatch’ was involved in a collision with the SS ‘Derwent’ as the ‘Derwent’ tried to assist the steamer in trouble:
“Disabled Steamer Despatch
MELBOURNE, Saturday. – The disabled steamer Despatch arrived yesterday. The cause of her breaking down appears to have been the valve-spindle refusing to work. Owing to the strong wind and high sea running at the time, there was every probability of her being driven ashore, and the steamer Derwent, bound hence to Sydney, stood by. When putting a line on board she collided with the Despatch doing considerable damage. The chief officer of the Despatch, fearing that his vessel was going down, jumped on board the Derwent. Shortly afterwards the towline parted, but another was got on board, and the Despatch was towed to Waratah Bay, where the Derwent left her to proceed on her voyage . . . “
– Source: Excerpt – ‘Evening News’ (Sydney) – published 27th February 1892
1893 → following the completion of her service for the government, the SS ‘Despatch’ commenced the regular coastal trader run from Melbourne to Bairnsdale c 1893, some 4 years after the completion of The Entrance into the Gippsland Lakes. Whilst the SS ‘Despatch’ was being refitted for this purpose, the SS ‘Alert’ continued the run. Sadly the massive seas of Bass Strait claimed the SS ‘Alert’ and 15 of the 16 persons on board as she rounded Cape Schanck on the 28th December 1893 . . .
” . . . During the winter months, from May till November, one relied on the S.S. Dispatch, which called once a week, to get either to or from the city. This little steamer, calling at Queenscliff and Portsea on the way, was advertised to leave Melbourne for the Gippsland Lakes every Saturday at 2 p.m, but on the amount of cargo to be loaded often depended the time of sailing. Given a favourable wind and tide, and not too much cargo to unload at Queenscliff, the Dispatch arrived at Portsea at any time between 7 p.m. and midnight. This weekly arrival was the social event of the week. The village turned out and often waited for hours in the cold and wind on the pier or in the shed. On her return from Lakes Entrance the Dispatch was due to call at Portsea to pick up passengers and cargo at 9 a.m. on Thursday, which she did if weather permitted. Sometimes passengers waited for a couple of days on the pier, and the Dispatch would pass through on Saturday morning without calling and go to town to set off on her weekly trip outward bound. The intending passengers then had to wait till the following Thursday for their trip to the city . . . “
Source: Excerpt – ‘Argus’ (Melbourne, Vic) – Article “More Portsea Memories” – published 24th February 1934
2 Sep 1898 → the SS ‘Despatch’ collided with a Gippsland Lakes jetty whilst unloading cargo:
Age (Melbourne, Vic) – 1 Jul 1898
“The Steamer Despatch
Upon her arrival from the Lakes yesterday morning the steamer Despatch, having landed cargo, was floated into Duke’s dock for examination and repairs. It was found that a couple of plates on the starboard side forward had been sprung, owing to the vessel colliding with the jetty at the Lakes, but the injuries are not serious. On her way from the Lakes to Melbourne the Despatch made very little water.”
– Source: Excerpt – ‘Argus’ (Melbourne, Vic) – published 2nd September 1898
7 May 1901 → the SS ‘Despatch’ ran aground at Portsea
“Steamer Despatch Ashore
From Melbourne on Saturday evening by telegraph was received the news that the steamer Despatch had gone ashore at Portsea. A tug was immediately sent to her assistance.
Last night the following telegram was received from Portsea: – Despatch at anchor; heel ashore only; no damage done.
The Despatch is owned by Messrs. Huddart, Parker, and Co. Proprietary, Ltd., and trades between Melbourne and Portsea.”
– Source: Excerpt – ‘Newcastle Morning Herald’ (NSW) – published 27th May 1901
17 Jun 1909 → the ‘Argus’ reported the SS ‘Despatch’ – “Passenger Lost Overboard” – sadly, a 27 year old young man drowned after falling overboard at 1 o’clock on a Sunday morning . . .
29 Sep 1911 → the SS ‘Despatch’ continued the regular trading route from Melbourne to Bairnsdale until the 29th September 1911, when she struck rocks at the pier and sank in the channel at Lakes Entrance (formerly Cunninghame). The SS ‘Despatch’ still lies where she sank as she was quickly buried under sand – fortunately, there was no loss of life
Note that the article quotes the distance at ” . . . about 20 miles from Melbourne, . . . “ which must be a typographical error as the distance is approximately 200 miles (320 km) from Melbourne . . .
View other important events in the history of Gippsland’s Steamers . . .
View other important events in the history of Victoria’s Coastal Runs . . .
View other important events in the history of The Steamers of Port Phillip Bay . . .
