A topsail schooner, also called Mary Ann, State Library of Victoria, FL16262274
Description:
Topsail schooner
Owner:
Many changes of ownership; final owners William Owston, William Silas Pearse and George Pearse
Construction:
Wood
Sunk:
13 July 1876
Size:
Length: 84.0 ft (25.6 m) Beam: 21.0 ft (6.4 m) Depth: 9.0 ft (2.74 m) Tonnage: 116 gross, 104.31 net
Underwater:
The wreck material from the Mary Ann lies in two different sites. Between 100 and 200 m offshore in three metres of water is an area containing small artefacts, mainly copper alloy and bottle fragments. On the shore are some timber remains, mainly frames. On the mainland beach opposite the island is a large mast which may be from the Mary Ann.
Built:
John Eason at North West Bay, Tasmania
Location:
North-eastern side of western-most of the Bellinger Islands
Sinking:
In 1876 the Mary Ann was chartered to carry materials for the overland telegraph line. The cargo was unloaded at Duke of Orleans Bay and the journey continued eastwards looking for suitable sites for telegraph stations. It was on the return journey that progress was slow and Captain Christie decided to anchor in the lee of the Bellinger Islands. The wind changed and the Mary Ann was now on a lee shore. Attempts to leave were thwarted when the anchor started to drag. The crew unsuccessfully attempted to kedge the Mary Ann away from the shore and she became a total wreck.
Longitude:
123.6436583333
Latitude:
-33.8866583333
Gallery
Topsail schooner, State Library of Victoria, FL16262274
