HEATH

DateSeptember 1873

Object NameSCHOONER

MediumWOOD

ClassificationsShip

Dimensionslength 119' x breadth 21 7/12' x depth 10 5/12'
gross tonnage: 187 ton
Registered Tonnage: 247ton

Object numberABDSHIP001707

Keywords

Aberdeen Built Ships

About MeYard: John Humphrey & Co., Inches, Aberdeen
Official Number: 65096

Fate: Wrecked on Cape Three Points, Broken Bay, NSW, while on passage from Sydney to Newcastle, 4 January 1889. 2 crew lost.

Propulsion: Sail
Description: Schooner rigged, 1 deck, 3 masts, half female figurehead.

Owners:
01/10/1873: Registered at Aberdeen for subscribing owners;
Alexander Rhind Dyer, shipowner and merchant, 40 shares; John Humphrey, shipbuilder, 24 shares - both Aberdeen.
07/04/1874: Dyer 40 and Humphrey 24 shares to Thomas Elder, merchant, Adelaide, S. Australia, empowering Thomas Elder to sell the ship for not less than £3,230 at Adelaide within 12 months.
30/06/1874: Registered anew at Syndney, NSW.
(Aberdeen Register of Ships (Aberdeen City Archives))
1876-80: W. Clifton, registered at Sydney.
1881-82: Clyton and Aplin Bros, Sydney.
1882-84: W. V. Brown.
1885-86: B. Byrnes.
1886-88: J. Saunders.

Masters:
1874-76: Master Milne.
1876-88: Master A. Campbell.

General History:
Whilst sailing under Captain Theodore Bastholm, from Sydney to Newcastle HEATH ran onto a reef and was wrecked at Cape Three Points, Broken Bay, New South Wales, Australia on the 4th January 1889. One or two crew drowned.

08/01/1889:
'Schooner HEATH left Sydney 28 December 1888 for Newcastle in ballast, Master Thomas Bastholm, who held certificate as coasting master, had been in trade for 8 years, but on Heath for only month and half. Vessel was in coal trade Newcastle - Port Jackson, owned by Mr B. Byrnes of Sydney. On 29th Dec. she was 10 miles south of Newcastle, wind came in strong from North East and vessel was forced to run back to Broken Bay for shelter, remaining there till 3 January 1889; when worst of weather seemed past and she sailed. After passing Baran Joey Lighthouse weather became thick and rainy and master set course he thought would keep her well clear of land. At 1 a.m. 4 January 1889 vessel without warning struck on a rock off Cape Three Points, a mile from shore: when she was under full canvas. After bumping on the rock she filled and mainmast went overboard with terrific crash, taking a boat with it. Master got the big boat over the side, but decided to stand by the ship until daylight. One man, Ohlsen, jumped into the boat, took her away and was not seen again. A huge wave carried the deckhouse over the side. Some men were washed off the deck, others off the deckhouse as it was driven towards land. One of the latter, able seaman Swensen, was dashed against the rocks and died. 5 remaining members of crew were able to get ashore. One, who could not swim, was rescued in most gallant manner by Chief Officer Molvig. Thus 2 of crew lost'.
(Sydney Morning Herald) (and Newcastle Morning Herald)

22/01/1889:
'Board of Enquiry found that wreck was caused by wrongful act or default of Capt. Bestholm in steering a course whilst standing out of Broken Bay which did not clear the reef at the entrance, his certificate was suspended for 3 months'.
(Australian Star (Sydney))

“Wrecks on the New South Wales Coast”, Jack Kenneth Loney.
The schooner HEATH, 187 tons, was leaving Broken Bay of Newcastle on January 4th when she drifted ashore and was lost. Her master was found guilty of steering a course dangerous to her safety and lost his certificate for three months.

See also:
History (CS): - http://www.clydeships.co.uk/view.php?year_built=&builder=&ref=58311&vessel=HEATH
Wrecksite (WS): - http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?51200
Australian Wrecksite: - https://dmzapp17p.ris.environment.gov.au/shipwreck/public/wreck/wreck.do?key=820