COCHITUATE (1848-1861)
Typical Barque of 347 tons
Description
3-masted Barque with two decks
Construction
Oak, pitch-pine and hackmatack.
Size
347 tons
Built
1848 in Medford, USA
Owner
J. Bangs and son. Captain: G. Harbands
Sunk
1861/06/14
Location
Abrolhos Islands, near Rat Island, Easter Group
Latitude/Longitude
(-28.765, 114.57)
Sinking
En route from Melbourne to Singapore with cargo of Meat. The vessel went on the reef while in the process of tacking and quickly filled with water. Within an hour the ship began breaking up. The crew of 12 left in the two ships boats.
Underwater
Wreck was burnt after salvage. Recently divers from the WA Museum found and photographed a length of bronze railing near the area where the Cochituate is believed to have been wrecked.