IRIS 1855
Description
3 Masted Barque
Construction
Timber with 2 decks and square stern
Size
311 tons length 29.6m beam 8.4m draft 5m
Built
Probably at New Bedford USA
Owner
E C Jones, New Bedford Master: C.S. Davak (Devoll)
Sunk
1855/07/10
Location
9 Km South of Ledge Point
Latitude/Longitude
(-28.183608, 114.237515)
Sinking
En route from New Bedford on a Whaling voyage with crew of 29. The Iris anchored at Port Gregory, having sprung a leak. Captain Devoll wished to careen his ship and needed a sheltered anchorage at Port Gregory. However a NW gale blew up, and the Iris was blown ashore on the sand spit opposite Gold Digger Passage.
Underwater
After being wrecked and written off at Port Gregory, the Iris was later salvaged and taken to Fremantle, repaired and registered there as the Frances on 7 September 1856.