Maritime History - A dangerous trend down south

In January 1923 DCN described two maritime mishaps in detail: a dark mass approaching a steamer in the waters south of Victoria and an allision in a Melbourne harbour

Maritime incidents in and off Victoria received some attention in the pages of the Daily Commercial News a century ago. In January 1923, coverage of a collision off the coast was followed by news of an allision with a wharf in Melbourne. According to DCN, accidents in Victoria were not uncommon at the time.

Passengers amid the bustle of an Australian wharf in the days of sailing ships

THE COLLISION INQUIRY

On 8 January DCN covered an inquiry into a collision between American barque Muscoota and Norwegian steamer Yarra.

The ships had collided on Christmas night near Wilsons Promontory, the southernmost tip of mainland Australia.

Norwegian consul general Mr E Arents held the inquiry in Melbourne. He said the master, officer of the watch, lookout hand, helmsmen and others on the deck of Yarra couldn’t see the sailing vessel approaching. They “declared emphatically” the lights were not visible during the mishap.

“Captain Sorenson and members of his crew were convinced on that point, and were firmly of opinion that the collision would not have happened had the ordinary lights been showing,” DCN wrote.

“The night was dark, with a little rain falling, but the lights of passing steamers were plainly discernible. When near Wilson’s Promontory the lookout man suddenly saw a dark object looming before him.

“It was not far ahead, and proved to be the sails of the Muscoota. He then rang the bell as a warning. The captain was on the poop, and also saw the dark mass.

“In the absence of lights he could not make certain of the course which the other vessel was steering. With the object of clearing her he put the helm over. Just at that time the master believed that the sailor also altered her course, but he could not be sure, as there were no lights to guide him. As a result, the stern of the steamer struck the sailor forward as she was swinging. In the circumstances the collision could not be avoided by the steamer.”

Yarra sustained an estimated £6000 in damage. When the Melbourne Marine Board learned of the collision, they were “not competent to act” as both vessels were registered in foreign ports.

MISHAPS IN MELBOURNE

Another article published on 31 January suggests Sydney often received news from Melbourne about mishaps in the Yarra River. The frequency of incidents had apparently become “the cause of much worry” for shipowners whose vessels were headed for the Victorian port.

“The latest instance of this is given in the case of the White Star liner Gallic, which bumped into two coal lighters and then crushed into the South wharf in the Yarra, one day last week,” DCN wrote.

The article said the vessel was turning in Victoria Dock to face the river mouth for departure to Sydney. The ship had just left the mouth of the dock when something went wrong.

“The stern of the liner first struck the Adelaide Steamship Company’s lighter Norwester, breaking and denting the lighter’s bulwarks,” the article said.

“The Norwester was forced on to the lighter Victorian, the sides of which were damaged and the rails carried away. Sheering off the lighters, the Gallic collided with the South wharf with a force which caused the liner to quiver from stern to stem. She remained fast among the wreckage of the wharf for more than an hour.”

The White Star liner Gallic allided with a wharf in Melbourne in the 1920s.

In the meantime, three tugs were deployed in an attempt to tow the liner from its position.

“When these efforts failed, a line from the stern was made fast to the North wharf, the winches were set to work, and by this means the vessel was gradually moved round to her berth.

“A diver who went down to examine the vessel reported that he could see only one blade of the propellers. It was discovered that the other blades were encased in mud and clay, and the propellers had to be given a few turns to clear them. There was apparently no damage below the water line, but slight damage was sustained above.

“It was stated prior to the vessel’s departure for this port, that she would have to be docked in Sydney for further examination.”

Frequent mishaps in the Yarra River in the 1920s caused some concern for shipowners