Mid-February - The Ketch Mary Burgess out of the Three Hammock Islands off the north-west tip of Tasmania had been fishing for crayfish off the Victorian coast. The vessel arrived in Queenscliff with a good haul of crayfish for the Melbourne market. Shortly after they left for the return journey across Bass Straight to their home on the Three Hammock Islands.
Leaving Queenscliff the vessel went missing. Anxiety was felt by the families and authorities for the safety of the four missing men. The Mary Burgess was sailed by her owner Richard Burgess and his two sons, with another man named Charles Gay at the time of her disappearance.
Two weeks had gone by and there was still no word of the whereabouts of the Mary Burgess. The authorities feared she may have gone down in the terrible gales which hit the coast shortly after she sailed.
Wreckage from a vessel was found at Cape Patton and some believed this may be from the Mary Burgess, however, this was never confirmed. The Australian Marine Authority and police made enquiries trying to determine if the vessel had arrived safely back on the Hammock Islands. These investigations proved fruitless.
Tuesday, February 21 - The Barquentine La Bella, under sail about 30 miles east of Jervis Bay passed an upturned vessel about the size of an ordinary ketch. The identity of the vessel could not be determined at the time. Upon arrival in Hobsons Bay, Captain of the La Bella reported the incident to the boarding officer.
A few days later the mystery was solved. Mary Burgess had been found safe.
February 24 - The first news arrived via the captain of the steamer Yambacoona who reported he had spoken to the ketch Mary Burgess at Hunter's Island two days prior and all was well.
Captain Richard Burgess seeing reports of his vessel's disappearance in local newspapers called at the office of the Launceston Examiner and stated she was presently moored at Stanley. He added that since the 11th of February the ketch had on two occasions visited that port, but neither visit was reported by the telegraph office.
When asked about the severe storm shortly after leaving Queenscliff, he stated:- "they did encounter the storm but had no trouble in weathering it."
From my research, the mystery of the upturned vessel east of Jervis Bay was never solved.
Ketch Mary Burgess wrecked.
October 22 1916 - The vessel was moored in Wineglass Bay, Freycinet Peninsula on the east coast of Tasmania when a gale blew up, she slipped stays and was thrown onto a lee shore and was totally wrecked. The master of the vessel did all he could to save the vessel, but his efforts were in vain.
Built and launched on Hammock Island in 1902. 53 feet on her keel, 81ft overall, 17ft 6 inches beam and 7ft 9inches depth
She was built with a 20ft by 6ft well and was fitted with a motor aperture if required from hardwood, pine and teak. Described as a presenting a yacht like appearance with fine lines. She was built for deep fishing owned and operated by Mr Richard Burgess.
The Barquentine La Bella mentioned above was tragically wrecked in 1905 at Warrnambool with the loss of seven men from her crew of twelve.
Continue reading about the Barquentine La Bella.
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