The Courier. FRIDAY MORNING, APRIL 17, 1835.
We have this week, the melancholy task to detail one of the most awful and unforeseen visitations of Providence that frail and mortal man is subject to. The convict ship George the Third, of 400 tons, Captain W. Moxey, sailed for this place from London on the 14th of December, with 220 convicts, and a guard commanded by Major Ryan, of the 50th Regiment, with Lieut. Minten, Assistant Surgeon McGregor, and 29 rank and file. The vessel made the land on Sunday last, about 11 in the morning, and in coming up D'Entrecasteaux's channel, the weather being fine, and the vessel going at an easy rate in the moonshine, after passing all the reefs, called the Actæons, about two miles, struck on a sunken rock, hitherto unknown, and in a very few minutes was a total wreck, with a loss of 134 souls out of 294. Such indeed was the suddenness of the fatal occurrence that it is almost miraculous that every one on board did not perish. A boat with 11 persons on board succeeded in coming up to town, and communicated the sad news on the ensuing evening (Monday,) when the Government vessels Tamar and Isabella and Captain Wilson's steam vessel were instantly dispatched with assistance, with the Port Officer (Captain Moriarty,) the Colonial Secretary, the Chief Police Magistrate, the Colonial Surgeon, and Mr. Grant, the Agent for Lloyds. In the mean while the unfortunate persons on the wreck had succeeded during the night in launching the long boat, and landing in three trips all the survivors, at the nearest accessible point of the shore, some miles off in South Port, being assisted in the last trip by the Louisa schooner, which being met in the river had been timely directed to the wreck by the first boat. The poor creatures thus rescued were exposed to all the cold of the night, with little or no clothing but their shirts and trowsers, for such was the suddenness of the catastrophe that no one had time to save the smallest article. On embarking them in the schooner to proceed up to town, it was discovered that Dr. McGregor was missing. He had, it appeared, strayed from the others in the night, and had not been able to find his way back. The long boat was therefore left behind, with 7 men on the beach, to follow the others in the schooner as soon as the lost man could be found, to bring with them. The steam-vessel met the schooner near Three-hut point, about 30 miles down the river, and after supplying them with the provi- sions they stood in need of, it was determined to allow her to proceed on, to be met and succoured by the Government vessels, while they went on to rescue those who were still on the beach at South Port, and it was most fortunate that this step was taken, for the poor people were in too exhausted a state, from the continued exposure to the cold, fatigue, and want of provisions to get to or navigate the boat, and Dr. McGregor, who had been found 2 or 3 hours before, was totally unable to move, and as Dr. Scott pronounced had not relief been then afforded must have perished in a very short time. Having succeeded in taking them on board, and leaving four constables in charge of some puncheons of rum and other parts of the wreck that were floating on shore, the steam-boat went on to the wreck. There the scene of desolation was appalling. The waves had made a complete passage through and through the vessel—the masts overboard—the sides and bottom gone—and the decks and other parts which still hung together floating up and down with the waves—while the anchors were resting on the rocks. Every thing was gone, there was nothing on either of the decks but the body of one of the convicts, an old man named John Roberts, (his third transportation,) which was lashed to a ring-bolt in the Surgeon's cabin. The poor creature, it appears, not being able to swim, had lashed himself in this way in the hope of being washed on shore with some part of the vessel.
The sympathy that prevailed in Hobart town on the first communication of the sad intelligence was deep and universal, and prayers were offered up on the following day in the several places of worship for the sufferers, and a subscription list is already liberally filling up for their relief. Various reports, injurious to the persons in authority in the ship, under the melancholy circumstances, were circulated, as is often the case on such occasions, which have since been found to be groundless. A board was however appointed by His Excellency to investigate every thing connected with the sad affair. It consisted of the Colonial Secretary, the Chief Police Magistrate, the Port Officer, and Mr. Grant, the agent for Lloyds. The investigation was carried on in the Colonial Secretary's office, and the proceedings were entirely public, every accommodation being afforded to the reporters for the press. The conduct of Capt. Moxey throughout is not only blameless but highly praiseworthy, it being mainly owing to his coolness and great exertions that so many were saved. No part of the occasion of the wreck was in any way to be attributed to him, it having been caused by the unknown sunken rock never laid down in the charts. His was the first evidence taken on the inquiry, and it clearly appeared that he was entirely justified as a seaman in the course he had chosen, the charts and sailing directions in Horsburgh fully authorising it. In passing the reef all the usual precautions of sounding, &c. were regularly taken, and when the depth was under 20 fathoms, the deep sea lead was substituted by the hand lead. His deposition went on to the following effect :
"When we got under 20 fathoms, I kept the soundings going with a hand lead. In passing between the 2 reefs laid down in the charts, I carried 7½ fathoms through. When we were past these reefs, I took my officers and passengers into the cabin and shewed them the position of the ship. We all felt satisfied that we had passed every danger, and concluded that we might proceed with safety under easy sail, the union being clear and the weather mild—going from a knot and a half to 2 knots an hour. She was at that time under double reefed topsails, with the foresail hauled up, all ready for coming to an anchor, should it become dark. After proceeding on for about a quarter of an hour, I was walking on the weather side of the poop, when the man in the chains heaving the lead, called out quarter less four. I immediately desired him to put the helm hard to port—the distance from the shore was from 2 to 3 miles. Before another cast of the lead could be taken the ship struck. She did not strike violently at first. She grazed along on the locks and brought up. I immediately ordered the quarter boat in charge of the third officer to be lowered, for the purpose of sending him to sound the depth of water round the ship. Abreast of the starboard gangway he found 2½ fathoms—ahead 2 fathoms—on the starboard quarter 3½ fathoms —and on the starboard quarter or about four boat lengths astern 4½ fathoms. Before this time no breakers had made their appearance, but the swell now commenced and the water began to break, and the ship struck most violently, so that no one could stand on the deck. In a very short time, after about 5 shocks, the main mast went over on the starboard side and carried the mizen topmast with it, breaking the weather bulwarks down to the deck. At this time the boatswain and the officers were preparing to get the long boat out. The main mast being gone, we were obliged to cut away the lee bulwarks in order to lower the gig, but in consequence of the rolling of the ship the tackle at the bow was entangled, and the boat went down stern foremast and was swamped. The steward, and I think a woman and child got into the boat without my permission. I desired Mr. Field, in the cutter, to go round and pick them up, which he did, and I desired him to come along side. He said he could not come, the boat being so full & the water so rough. I did not know how many he had got in the boat. I directed him to go and look for the first landing place and to return immediately—with any assistance that could he got. (It was he who came up and brought to Hobart town the melancholy intelligence. He had eleven persons in his boat and, the boat was so full that he was obliged to land four at Three hut point on his way up). I then left the poop, the fore-mast had just gone over on the lee side, and the crew were trying to launch the long boat to windward. But a heavy sea struck the ship and stopped them, and floated the long boat on the deck. All the main deck was under water at that time. This was scarcely 15 minutes from the first striking of the ship, about 10 minutes after 10, The boat was full of people, floating from one side of the vessel to the other, and I expected to see her stove in every moment. After much exertion I succeeded in floating her outside the ship, but amongst the spars. I was then before the mainmast encouraging the men in the boat to clear the wreck as soon as possible. But being entangled with the spars, they could not manage to get over them, and I made towards them in order to assist, and in trying to shove the fore-yard under the water for the boat to go over it, I got between it and the boat, and was jammed, expecting to be cut to pieces. I was, however, dragged into the boat, and after much struggling, we contrived to get clear of the spars. The people on the wreck and spars then gave us three cheers. The boat was quite full, I afterwards found there were 42 in it. We proceeded to the shore, but could not find a landing place for some miles, the beach was so rough, and the surf so great. At last we came to a bay, near the bottom of which we found a place where we landed all the prisoners and guard, with a woman and a child that were in the boat. The Surgeon-Superintendent and my chief and second officers were also in the boat. I left 33 on shore, I then proceeded back to the wreck with 5 men—this was about 2 o'clock. We did not get back till near 6 o'clock. We were received by the people on the wreck with three cheers. The first persons I took on board were the women, children, & invalids, with as many prisoners as the boat would carry, Having filled the boat I proceeded to the shore again, and landed them at the same, place with the others about 8 o'clock. I think I landed this time between 40 and 50 persons. But these I had no opportunity of reckoning. In this boat were the three military officers. I again went back to the wreck.—Before I reached it I saw a schooner making towards it, She reached it before me, and I went on board her, and having ascertained that she could take in the whole of the remaining persons on the wreck. I put all that remained on board and proceeded to the shore to re-embark the others. The surgeon had strayed away from the rest, and I left the boat with 7 men to fetch him. There were 220 prisoners embarked at Woolwich—12 of them had died on board, besides 3 children. There were in all 304 persons embarked, including the crew and guard—2 children were born. There were 294 alive in the vessel at the time of the wreck. We brought away 81 prisoners, 29 soldiers, 3 officers, 6 women, 11 children, crew 30, making in all 160 saved and 131 lost. Among the lost are 3 children, 1 woman (a sergeant's wife), 2 crew, and 128 prisoners. Very soon after striking I ordered a gun to be tired as a signal of distress, and I heard Major Ryan order the soldiers also to fire as a signal, and I saw 2 shots fired in the air. The soldiers were standing at the main hatchway, endeavouring to prevent the prisoners from making a rush on deck, which was necessary for the safety of all hands. At that time we had no apprehension that the ship would go to pieces. I was afterwards told by a prisoner named Hart, that there was one prisoner shot, I did not see any shots fired on the prisoners. Their conduct during the voyage was very good. As soon as the ship struck the prisons between decks broke down, and the prisoners came out as fast as they could, all hands trying to save themselves ; many were washed off. There was no heavy swell before the vessel struck, There were flying clouds and small showers, with the wind off the land ; it was not a hazy night—the moon shone bright. I believe two of my men had been up the channel before, but I could not obtain any information from them. I depended solely on my charts and Horsburgh's directions. I concluded that my third mate in the gig had been swamped, as I did not see him any more. I met with all possible assistance and support from every one on board, that had it in his power to help. Some of the prisoners made themselves particularly useful, and went with me to and from the shore—Nelson, Jones, and Shaw, and many others whose names I cannot recollect, persevered to the utmost to assist me."
Dr. Wyse, the Surgeon-Superintendent, was next examined. He deposed as follows :—
The making of the land was received with much joy by all on board, The captain and officers and myself had agreed during the voyage to proceed through DEntrecasteaux's channel. On a former voyage in 1833 I had come up by Storm Bay. On founding South Cape the moon shone out, and though before a little in doubt, owing to the flying clouds, whether we would go by the Channel or Storm Bay, now we decided on the former. The land was distinct and well defined. Captain Moxey said that should the weather prove unfavorable, the anchoring ground was good, and he should immediately let go the anchor. I visited the hospital as usual about 8 o'clock. I remained there about half an hour, and returned on deck and joined the captain on the poop—whilst in the hospital I heard the deep sea lead going, with about 28 and 30 fathoms, and soft bottom—at that time the captain seemed inclined to anchor. (Here the evidence given was in all respects parallel with that of Captain Moxey.) When the first bump was felt there was no swell, nor vestige of a breaker a-head to be seen—the weather was clear and the moon shone bright. When the ship rounded with her head from the land, she struck violently—the rudder tore away the wheel, and threw the first officer on the lee side of the poop—the next shock the head of the rudder tore up a large portion of the poop deck, and the rudder fell into the water—there was a general cry—the prisoners were screaming in the most violent and agitated manner to be let out—they put their hands through the grating and seized me by the hands, saying— " You promised to stand by us." So I will, I answered, I shall remain here with you. Two of the open stanchions joining the barricade round the main hatchway had been broken down, and a few of the convicts were putting their heads and arms through the space. A considerable body of the military formed a compact guard round the hatchway with their muskets levelled, I conceive in intimidation. Two of the most deserving convicts in the ship came through the opening to me, and clung to my knees. Corporal Bell ordered them back, but the men cried out, the water is already up to our knees. The crashing of the rocks through the ship's bottom, whilst I was in the hatchway, was dreadful; on going back from the hatchway I called to Corporal Bell to allow these two men (Hart and Nelson) to come with me, which they did. I saw the main mast was going at this time, and called out, stand from under, the main mast is going, and after two or three rockings it fell on the starboard beam—the yards striking violently on the rocks, and forming one mass of ruin round the ship. The captain was then trying to get the launch out. Some one suggested the propriety of firing a gun, but it was impossible. This was not more than five minutes after the first shock. Major Ryan said he would fire some muskets as a signal, and I heard the report of two or three shots, but did not see on what part of the ship they took place. Major Ryan at this time was in front of the mizen mast. He had been ill, and confined to bed 3 weeks. He seized me by the hand, saying, ' what can we do now, Dr. ?' I answered, God only knows,—in 5 minutes we shall all be in eternity—for by that time I expected every thing would be floating in the water, and I thought the only chance of saving my life would be to fasten myself to a spar But at this time I saw that the efforts making to get the boat clear of the wreck were successful, and I rushed forwards and got on board. The people left on the, wreck were all on the larboard side, the other side being entirely under water. Three loud huzzas were given when the boat cleared the wreck. We landed in South Port, to the number of 42 souls, each one wading through the surf up to the neck ; the Capt. suggested that I should remain on shore to take charge of the people. I never saw the smallest symptom of intoxication in any one on board during the whole of the voyage, with the exception of one occasion soon after leaving port, when some of the sailors took some spirits from the steward. Scarce any one had any other clothing besides his shirt and trowsers. No men could have behaved with more coolness, and humanity, than the Captain and Major Ryan throughout—the conduct of the Captain was most seaman-like and judicious. When he left us to return to the wreck, we were dreary and did not expect that he would find a soul alive, and when we saw him come back at half-past 6 with another boat load of living beings, our spirits were much cheered.
The conduct of the prisoners from the moment of the vessel's striking, was most meritorious, assisting the captain and officers, Major Ryan and myself, rather than looking to their own safety. I kept the prisoners below until the boat could be launched, for if I had not, I do not think a soul would have been saved. The moment the boat was launched the guard was withdrawn. I received every assistance from the military, and master, and crew. All that men could do under such circumstances, they did, I embarked 220, of whom 127 were lost, and 81 saved. At the time the ship struck, I had 60 patients, 50 of whom were totally unable to help themselves, being sick of scurvy in bed, only 2 of these 60 have been saved. I attribute this inveterate fatal illness to the scantiness of provisions generally, but particularly to the withdrawing of the oatmeal, and cocoa being substituted for it. None on board but the prisoners who had this diet had a symptom of this dreadful disease. All the others had at least one-third more rations. On mustering my list, I found 115 convicts had never partaken of cocoa during the voyage. They loathed it so much, it invariably made them sick. Soon after the ship struck she fell to starboard, and when the masts fell this inclination was much increased. Had the whole body of the men been upon her upper works, she must have been on her beam ends entirely. One or two such seas as were breaking over her must have swept every one into the sea. Many of those who were on deck were washed away, at least 30 perished in this way, or from cold during the night. There were 40 boys onboard, of whom 20 were lost. The great sickness among the convicts made us very anxious to reach the land, which was a strong inducement with the captain to go up the passage, expecting the schooner to get a supply of provisions.
Lieut. Minten, Corporal Deverell, and Major Ryan were then examined, yesterday, but the arrangements of our journal prevent us from giving their evidence in detail. They corroborated all the particulars already mentioned, and Corporal Deverell added, that in the first instance when the prisoners were attempting to come up the hatchway, and agreeably to his instructions, he considered it his duty to prevent them, he ordered one of the seven soldiers whom he had on the watch with him to fire a shot down in order to intimidate them, but without hurting any one. In our next we shall be enabled to give every remaining particulars.
The conduct of the convicts on this trying occasion, as well as throughout the whole passage, was of the most gratifying and creditable nature, re shewing what can be done with human beings, when duly, humanely, and intelligently managed as in the present instance by Dr. Wyse, On one occasion near the line, in drawing off some rum, the spirit caught fire, and was rapidly communicating itself to the other parts of the ship, especially to two cases of gunpowder, fortunately agreeably to the recent practice, packed in copper. Two of the convicts, Nelson and Jones, at the imminent risk of their lives, snatched them up, though so hot with the surrounding flames that the copper actually scorched them in carrying them along. 1
- 1The Courier - The Hobart Town Courier (Tas. : 1827 - 1839) 17 April 1835: p2
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