CERVANTES 1836-1844

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Description

Whaling Brig with one deck, square stern, converted to Bark rig in 1841

Construction

Timber

Size

232 tons length 30m beam 7.5m draft 3.5m

Built

1836 Bathe, Maine USA

Owner

Benjamin Brown, Jonathon Coit, Amos Willetts, Master: Sylvanus Gibson

Sunk

1844/06/20

Location

Approx. 0.5 n mile WSW of Thirsty Point. Cervantes

Latitude/Longitude

(-30.513366667, 115.05)

Sinking

The Cervantes was anchored while crew hunting for seals when a gale blew up. Before they could make sail, the ship was driven onto a sand-bar. The crew all got ashore and three of them arrived in Perth on 6 July to report the loss. On 9th July, the master and more crew arrived, they reported one man had been left along the way and another six crew had returned to the wreck site to get a boat and sail down. Initially the captain said there was little damage but as the keel had broken it was decided to sell the ship.

Underwater

The wreck lies in 2–3m of water. During the first wreck inspection various materials were collected and analysed to identify the wrecked vessel. The same survey discovered some north-west pearling shell, which indicated that the Cervantes must have travelled further north and gathered shell long before the industry commenced in mid 1860’s. Why were these shells here?

Gallery

1. The ship was named after Miguel de Cervantes born Spain in 1547 died in Madrid 1616
The keel is all that remains. photo WA Museum
Typical section of a whaling ship showing the stowed ‘whale boats’ and try works pots on deck with whale oil barrels stored below
L. & W. Samson conducted the auction of the Cervantes and its contents. The wreck with all its stores and whaling gear fetched £155. The ship’s chronometer sold separately for £23 Sold to Mr Wickstead who wanted to set up whaling station

Location