GAREENUP (1893-1923)

Gareenup as a passenger ferry in the Swan

Description:

Paddle Steamer later a Lighter

Owner:

Randell, Knight and Company, later The Swan River Shipping Company

Construction:

Jarrah Timber

Sunk:

1923/21/08

Size:

84 tons length 29.3m beam 5.2m draft 1.8m

Underwater:

Not to be confused with ‘North Mole Barge’ [which is Steel and further out from shore] The wreck may now be under sand?

Built:

1893 by W and S Lawrence, Fremantle

Location:

Fremantle Harbour

Sinking:

At about 4.30 pm on 21 August 1923 the steam tug Euro was returning to harbour after taking out the Dutch steamer Tjikandi. The Gareenup, under the command of H. Dodd with a crew of six, was moored alongside the 5247ton Swedish ship Yangaren, and as the tug made towards its berth at F Shed it struck the lighter on the starboard bow and she sank quickly. (The West Australian, 24 August 1923: 8f). The cause of the sinking of the Gareenup as recorded by the authorities was defective steering gear on the Euro (Dickson, 1992).

Longitude:

115.725566667

Latitude:

-32.0518