The Thetis was described as ‘a pretty little vessel, and has more the appearance of a yacht than a profitable trading craft’. It was launched on 24 April 1845 for Morton and Gray of Fremantle. The Thetis carried general cargo and passengers. Cargoes were often associated with the owners’ whaling venture at Torbay.
On 19 July 1846 the Thetis was driven ashore at Torbay about three miles from Gray and Morton’s whaling station. Newspapers reported that the schooner was bilged on both sides but it was expected that it would be got off and repaired at the end of the whaling season.
The Thetis was returned to trade and sold to the Pelsart Fishing Company in May 1847 for £164. In March 1848 it was sold to Patrick Marmion for £97 10s. On a voyage to Augusta in 1848, the schooner sprang its mainmast. A new mast of ‘blue gum’ was fitted at Castle Rock and the Thetis continued its voyage on 5 May.
Description
Schooner; one deck, a square stern, a scroll head
Size
Length: 11.40 m Beam: 3.40 m Draft: 1.50 m Tonnage: 14
Owner
Last owner: Patrick Marmion
Location
Torbay; unknown location
Sinking
After landing some cargo for James Turner at Augusta the Thetis headed for Bunbury. Strong westerly winds prevented it from rounding Cape Leeuwin, so the schooner was turned to run eastwards and the crew sought shelter near Black Point. The swell produced by the gale threatened to overwhelm the Thetis, so the cables were slipped and the schooner was beached to prevent it from foundering. The master, Thomas Gilman, and the two crewmen walked back to Augusta. The schooner went to pieces on the rocks. The Turners went to the site of the wreck with their bullocks and horses to salvage what they could, but the Thetis had completely broken up. Some of the cargo was saved but all of it damaged to some degree.
Underwater
The wreck of the Thetis has not been found.
