GEORGETTE 1872–1876
Georgette, painting by Ross Shardlow AM FASMA
Description
Steamer with two-masted topsail schooner rig; one deck, four bulkheads and a round stern; raised quarterdeck 19.2 m long and a forecastle 6.9 m long
Construction
Iron; 2-cylinder compound vertical, double-acting 48 HP, engine
Size
Length: 46.20 m Beam: 6.90 m Draft: 3.50 m Tonnage: 211.64
Built
McKellar, McMillan & Co., Dumbarton, Scotland
Owner
Thomas Connor, Fremantle
Sunk
1 December 1876
Location
Calgardup Bay, south of Redgate and is marked by a cairn and plaque on the shore
Latitude/Longitude
(-34.042317, 114.999515)
Sinking
On 24 November 1876 the Georgette took on a cargo of jarrah at Bunbury. The steamer took on more cargo at Fremantle and departed for Adelaide on 29 November. At midnight on 30 November it became apparent that the Georgette was leaking. The pumps didn’t work; by 4 am the crew and some of the passengers were bailing with buckets. By 6 am the rising water had put the fires out. Sails were set and the Georgette headed towards the shore. Shortly after sunrise on the Saturday 2 December the Georgette was blown onto a sandbank near the mouth of Calgardup Brook. The wreck and the cargo were put up for auction. The rescue of some of the passengers and crew is best known because of the assistance rendered by Samuel Isaacs and 16-year-old Grace Bussell.
Underwater
An inspection in 1980 by the Western Australian Museum reported that the Georgette lies about 100 m from shore in 5 m of water with the bow pointing towards the shore. The outline of the hull was barely visible as it is heavily corroded above the sand line. The engine (with piston block torn off), propeller shaft, sternpost and the lower part of the hull were visible, together with part of the bow and an anchor winch. Part of the wood ceiling was visible just forward of amidships on the starboard side. Copper pipes and other fittings lay among the wreckage. There was a hand winch about 5 m from the bow.
Gallery
