Narrative of the shipwreck of the "Admella", inter-colonial steamer, on the southern coast of Australia / drawn up, from authentic statements furnished by the rescuers and survivors, by Samuel Mossman

Creator
Mossman, Samuel
Call Number
NL 910.4 MOS
Created/Published
Melbourne : Printed and published for the Committee of the 'Admella' Fund by J.H. Moulines and Co., 1859
Images
144
View Catalogue

Contents

NARRATIVE OF THE SHIPWRECK OF THE “ADMELLA,” INTER-COLONIAL STEAMER, ON THE SOUTHERN COAST OF AUSTRALIA: DRAWN UP FROM AUTHENTIC STATEMENTS FURNISHED BY THE RESCUERS AND SURVIVORS. 2
CONTENTS. 7
SHIPWRECK OF THE “ADMELLA." CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY. Oleography of Southern Coast of Australia—Extent of Shipping and Maritime Traffic along the Coast—Dangers of Navigation—Appalling Shipwrecks—Motives for Publishing Narrative on Port of the Committee and Author. 11
CHAPTER II. THE WEECK. Narrative-Reference to Map of Coast, where the Wreck happened.—Class of Vessels to which the “Admella” belonged—Her Character and Equipment—Starts from Port Adelaide Friday, August 5, 1859, 5.30 a.m.—Steams down Gulf St. Vincent, and through Backstair Passage—Cape Willoughby Light-house—Heavy Swell from S.W.—Racehorse Jupiter falls—Ship brought round to steady her—Course resumed —Night comes on—No apprehension of danger—Midnight, the Weather changes—Head Wind, gloomy, with Lightning—All Passengers retire to Bod—The Mate’s Watch on Deck—All on the look-out for McDonnell Light—Suddenly the Vessel strikes on the Beef with a grinding force—Saturday, August 6, five a.m.—Ship labours on the Rocks—Fearful cries of Passengers—Bewildering anarchy prevails—Boats stove and adrift—The Hull breaks up into Three Pieces—After part fixed, mid Portion sinks, fore Part swerves round—No Lights left—One Rocket fired—Day breaks—Awful position of Wreck—“Havilah” steamer passes by—Hopes destroyed—Soren Holm, seaman, swims to Life-boat—Rope severs and he is lost—Day advances—Sea rough and Breakers high—Some Food and Clothing is had out of Cabin—Night sets in drearily—Lights of ocean steamer “Bombay”—She passes close to Wreck without seeing it—Weather cold but calmer. 16
CHAPTER III. THE WRECK. Second Day breaks clear and sunny—Sunrise on the Wreck—Groups pictured on the after Part and fore Part—Fifteen Men cross over to the after Wreck, leaving all the Women and Children on the fore Wreck—Captain Harris dives for Provisions and succeeds—Brandy thrown overboard and Edibles served out—No fresh Water—A. Baft constructed on which Leach and Knapman volunteer to go on Shore—They are cast adrift on the turbulent Waters —Perilous Voyage through the Breakers—They reach the Shore in Three Hours—They are saved—Stricken down with fatigue they lie on the warm dry Sand—Signal to those on the Wreck—Night approaches They journey towards the Light-house—After Fourteen Hours they reach it—Light-house Keeper rides to Telegraph Station—The sad Tidings communicated by the Electric Wires through the length and breadth of the land. 31
CHAPTER IV. THE TIDINGS. The Electric Telegraph conveys the sad Tidings to Melbourne and Adelaide—A Tribute to the Genius that invented it—First Telegram at Melbourne—Message from Adelaide—Anxiety and sorrow of the Colonists-Light-house Boat—Peter, the Fisherman, from Guichen Bay, reaches scene of Wreck—Message from Mount Gambler—Its exciting effect upon the Community, notwithstanding the political agitation of a General Election—Departure of s.s. “Lady Bird” for Wreck—Cross Telegraph Messages cause delay—Government decline giving a Guarantee for extra Insurance—Melbourne Merchants subscribe—Proceedings of Inhabitants at Portland—Voluntary efforts of Settlers on the Coast—Mr. Power's Account of their Attempts with the “Admella's" Boat cast on Shore—Failure—Night sets in—Watch-fires and Bivouac—Volunteer Seamen from Stations—Thursday, the sixth morn to those on Wreck—“Lady Bird” goes in search of Wreck—Cannot find it—Returns to Portland—Time lost, and hope sickens within the hearts of those desolate People. 38
CHAPTER V. THE WRECK. The two Sailors seen to reach the Shore—A prayer of thanksgiving to the Almighty—Bitter cold Night—Winter Season in Australia—Sufferings of the Women and Children on the Fore Wreck—They drop off one by one into the Sea—All Lost on the Third Night—Scenes on After Part—A Negro dies raving mad—Those who succumb, delirious Twelve Hours before they Die—Death of Miss Clendinning—Endurance of Miss Ledwith—Unmanly conduct of a Sailor—Man's inborn Selfishness exemplified —Reflections thereon—Horrors of Thirst and Hunger—A Fireman dies mad from drinking Saltwater—The water-tight Bulkhead driven in by the Sea—The Cabin completely submerged—Several drowned—Captain Harris at last succumbs—All now seek for safety on the Deck, Bulwarks, and Rigging—Despair of Survivors—Bodies seen floating round the Wreck—Welcome Sight: people seen on shore—Bivouac Fires —Bitter cold Night—Eighteen Die from Exhaustion—Wednesday, Fifth Day on Wreck—The Fishermen from Guichen Bay pass the Wreck—Despair again unnerves them—Some yearn after their Worldly Possessions —Fifth Night on Wreck—Sixth Day dawns—Circumstances of Mr. Magarey’s Death -Misery at beholding the futile Attempts of a Rescue—Wildly picturesque Scene around the Wreck on the Eve of the Rescue—Lights on Shore—Fireworks on Steamers—Glittering Sea—Scientific description of the “Rollers” and Waves generally—Saturday opens propitiously—First action of Rescuers by the Crews of the “Admella’s” Life-boat and Portland Pilot-Boat—The Rescue accomplished by the Portland Life-boat under command of Captain Fawthrop —Joy of the Rescuers—Emaciated appearance of the Survivors—Johnstone’s Account of the Rescue—Remnant of Survivors safely on board the “Lady Bird”—Arrival of the Rescuers and the Rescued in Portland—Hospitable Reception of them by the Inhabitants. 51
CHAPTER VI THE RESCUE. Account of the Arrival of the “Lady Bird” steamer at Portland, and Preparations for a final Attempt at Rescue, drawn up by Portland Committee —Captain Fawthrop the Hero of the Rescue—His Account of the Portland Life-boat, Crew, and Equipment—“Lady Bird” starts from Wharf on Thursday Night—Reaches the Wreck on Friday morning—Fawthrop’s Description of First Attempt—Johnstone's Account—Discharging Rockets with Lines—Description from the Shore by Melville—Lyon and Power bear Testimony to brave Attempt—Pilot-boat and Crew—Wildly picturesque Scene around the Wreck on Sea and Land on the EVE OF THE RESCUE—Lights on Shore, Fireworks on Steamers, glittering moonlit Sea—Scientific description of “Rollers" and Waves generally—Saturday, August 6th, opens propitiously—First attempt of Rescuers by the improvised Crew of the “Admella’s” Life-boat and the Adelaide Pilot-boat—THE RESCUE accomplished by the Portland Lifeboat under command of Captain Fawthrop, and “Admella’s” Boat under Mr. Germain—Joy of the Rescuers—Emaciated appearance of the Survivors—Johnston’s Account of the Rescue—Remnant of Survivors safe on board the “Lady Bird”—Arrival of the Rescuers and the Rescued at Portland—Hospitable Reception of them by the Inhabitants. 63
CHAPTER VII. REWARD AND RELIEF FUNDS. Progress of Events telegraphed to Melbourne and Adelaide—Telegrams received on Wednesday at Melbourne from Adelaide, Portland, and Cape Northumberland—Thursday’s message from Geelong and Mount Gambier—Erroneous Despatch from Mount Gambier that the Survivors had been Saved on Thursday—True Version of News given Five Hours later—Telegrams on Friday from Adelaide and Mount Gambier —Saturday, 13th August, Message from Portland announcing Success of Rescuers, with List of Survivors—Enthusiasm increases at Portland—Attention of Stationmasters—Noble advocacy of the Press in the Cause of Humanity—Leading Article from the Age, Melbourne daily Journal, on the Subject, forcible and truthful Language—Public Meeting at Melbourne, Adelaide and Portland—Resolutions passed at the Melbourne Meeting—Formation of Committee—Public Reception of the Captain and Crew of “Lady Bird”—Letter of Congratulation Meeting at Portland—Committee appointed—Public Meeting at Adelaide, Governor Chairman—Reward and Relief Fund Committee-Resolutions passed—Speech of J. H. Barrow, M.L.A., at a Meeting—Reflections on the Conduct of the Victorian Government Proceedings of Melbourne Committee zealously conducted by the Honorary Treasurer, J. H. Blackwood—Conflicting Statements furnished to Committee and Printed—Proposal to Adelaide Committee to amal gamate Funds, andmake one uniform Distribution not acknowledged—Onerous task of awarding Medals and Pecuniary Rewards to Rescuers—Plan adopted—Relief Award to the Widow of Captain Harris, Relatives of Soren Holm and Others—Impartial Decisions by the Committee in apportioning the Rewards—A Moiety of the Donations reserved for the Approval of the Donors to form the Foundation of a Sailors’ Home at the Port of Melbourne. 80
CHAPTER VIII CONCLUDING REMARKS. Reflections on the conduct of Individuals mentioned in the Narrative, not in Judgment but Instructive—Inquiry into probable cause of Wreck—Evidence unsatisfactory—Strong current chief influence—Captain of the "Admella” navigated the Passage a hundred times—Too much confidence often begets disaster—Incorrect Charts of the Coast from Cape Otway to Guichen Bay—Cow tan’s political Views on the Subject-Incident of Soren Holm referred to—Horne’s Communication to the Argus on the subject; also Life-buoys and Swimming—Conclusion—Less interest in Narrative to Strangers than Colonists—Moral teachings to the Millionaire, the Gold-Digger and Religious Devotee—Dispassionate Sentiments of Contemplative Mind—Liberal Donations; if they express equally generous feelings, then the WRECK OF THE “ADMELLA” has not happened in vain. 102
APPENDIX (A). 113
APPENDIX (B). 116
APPENDIX (C). LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS TO THE REWARD AND RELIEF FUND. 118
APPENDIX (D). LIST OF RESCUERS; THE SERVICES RENDERED BY EACH; THE HONORARY REWARDS PRESENTED, AND THE SUMS AWARDED BY THE MELBOURNE COMMITTEE, FROM THE FUND COLLECTED IN VICTORIA. 128
APPENDIX (E). "LADY BIRD” INSURANCE FUND. REPORT OF COMMITTEE. Melbourne, November 1st, 1859. 135
ACCOUNT OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURE. 143

Text

Cite

Citation options:
Work identifier

http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-52758930

APA citation

Mossman, Samuel & Fawthrop, J. (1859). Narrative of the shipwreck of the "Admella", inter-colonial steamer, on the southern coast of Australia Retrieved January 6, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-52758930

MLA citation

Mossman, Samuel and Fawthrop, J. Narrative of the shipwreck of the "Admella", inter-colonial steamer, on the southern coast of Australia Melbourne: Printed and published for the Committee of the 'Admella' Fund by J.H. Moulines and Co, 1859. Web. 6 January 2025 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-52758930>

Harvard/Australian citation

Mossman, Samuel & Fawthrop, J. 1859, Narrative of the shipwreck of the "Admella", inter-colonial steamer, on the southern coast of Australia Printed and published for the Committee of the 'Admella' Fund by J.H. Moulines and Co, Melbourne viewed 6 January 2025 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-52758930

Wikipedia citation

{{Citation
  | author1=Mossman, Samuel.
  | author2=Fawthrop, J.
  | title=Narrative of the shipwreck of the "Admella", inter-colonial steamer, on the southern coast of Australia
  | year=1859
  | section=viii, 131 pages, [2] leaves of plates (1 folded) : illustrations, map ; 19 cm.
  | location=Melbourne
  | publisher=Printed and published for the Committee of the 'Admella' Fund by J.H. Moulines and Co
  | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-52758930
  | id=nla.obj-52758930
  | access-date=6 January 2025
  | via=Trove
}}

Citations are automatically generated and may require some modification to conform to exact standards.

Download

Select the images you want to download, or the whole document.

Available formats
TIF high resolution
Include
All
Current

Or select a range of images:

Order

You can order a copy of this work from Copies Direct.

Copies Direct supplies reproductions of collection material for a fee. This service is offered by the National Library of Australia

Include

Or select a range of images:

Share

Share on Twitter

Share on Facebook

What can I do with this?

Out of Copyright

Reason for copyright status
Created/Published Date is Before 1955

You may order a copy through Copies Direct or use the online copy for research or study; for other uses Contact us.

Copyright status was determined using the following information:

Creator Status
Creator(s) Considered Dead
Creator date of death
1859
Material type
Literary, dramatic or musical work
Published status
Published
Publication date
1859
Government copyright ownership
No Government Copyright Ownership

Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply.

For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.