The Vanished Fleet of the Sydney Coastline
The Malabar after running aground
The Vanished Fleet of the Sydney Coastline |
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The "Vanished Fleet of the Sydney Coastline", re-creates the events leading up to the loss of fifteen shipwrecks in the Sydney and Illawarra region. The book documents many remarkable stories of survival, court room dramas, personalities, tragedy and bad luck. This publication will appeal to those with an interest in our maritime history and the fascinating subject of shipwrecks.
Tuggerah's Prop.
In a desperate attempt to attract attention to the vessel's plight, two blue flares were ignited by the chief officer, their iridescent glow defining the vessel's lines in the pitch black night. The Myola's steam whistle began screaming out, as the majority of the crew began to assemble at the stern of the ship.
From the bridge of the South Bulli, the officer on watch sighted the blue lights burning in the distance directly up ahead. The officer thought the signals were from a visiting steamer, requesting a pilot for entrance into Sydney Harbour and thought nothing more about the matter.
Myola's Stern.
Also witnessing the burning flares was the Newcastle bound steamer Meeinderry. Her master also surmised the ship was a stranger requesting a pilot and upon seeing no further signals continued on with their voyage.
Meanwhile, the Myola began to settle down gradually on her beam. The lifeboats proved impossible to launch because of the acute angle at which the ship was lying. However the ropes securing the boats were cut in the hope they may float off after the ship foundered. The crew then began to jettison anything portable that might support their weight in the water. Approximately eight minutes after she first heeled over, the collier began her journey to the bottom leaving her crew floundering in the sea.
Chief officer, James Robinson, jumped clear from the side of the ship as she went under and swam clear of the dying vessel. Shortly after, he was picked up by one of the Myola's lifeboats containing three other crew. Through a stroke of fortune this boat had floated off the sinking Myola. Robinson clambered on board and together with the other survivors, rowed about the wreck site in search of the remainder of the crew. As the wind and sea began to carry them away from the bulk of the wreckage, they heard cries and came upon three men sitting on top of an upturned boat. Taking command of the lifeboat, Robinson sighted the lights of an approaching steamer, several miles off in the distance. Under atrocious conditions the survivors attempted to row a course in which the steamer and their lifeboat would intersect.
Almost half an hour had passed since the blue lights had been sighted by the crew of the South Bulli. The incident was almost forgotten, when the officer on watch heard faint cries for help
coming across the water. The officer called the captain to the bridge and he immediately stopped the
engines. The master's first thoughts were that some fishermen had been blown offshore, however
within seconds they spotted the white keel of an upturned lifeboat directly in the path of the South Bulli. Shortly after more cries were heard coming from the vicinity and their attention was drawn to another boat with seven occupants. The heavy sea made the task of picking up the men an extremely dangerous
manoeuvre. Eventually the boat was brought alongside.
Birchgrove Park's Forecastle Head.
"What boat are you from?" shouted the Master from the deck of the South Bulli.
"The Myola" came the reply,
"What's wrong with her?"
"Foundered."
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