LocationSafety Beach, Dromana VHR NumberS120 Date lost09 Aug 1922 Year of construction1877 Official number57578 |
The Gertrude/ Cicada is locally significant for its involvement with various Port Phillip Bay trades (lime, timber, dairying, fertiliser) over its long career, and for its role in the development of the Mornington Peninsula area. It was one of the last sailing ships to be still commercially operating in Port Phillip Bay.
| Physical Description | |
|---|---|
| Construction Material | Wood |
| Rig | Ketch |
| Hull Details | One deck, elliptical stern, carvel built, no galleries, scroll head, wood frame, not metalled. |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Engine Specification | Gardiner, Manchester, England |
| Engine Builder | 30h.p. Gardiner oil engine added after 1918, 4 cyl. 9" diameter, stroke 6", maximum speed 6 knots |
| Number of Masts | 2 |
| Length / Breadth / Depth | 67.3 Feet / 18.0 Feet / 5.2 Feet |
| History | |
| Built Date | 1877 |
| Built Port / Country | Huon, Tasmania / Australia |
| Registration Number | 7 of 1918 |
| Registration Port / Country | Melbourne / Australia |
| Former Details of Registration | No. 1 of 1888 ; 2 of 1877 Previous owners: 1877: William Hawkins 32 shares, Thomas Edward Bishop Hawkins, 32 shares, both shipbuilders of Shipwrights, POint Huon, Tasmania 1882:Edward Thomas Miles of HObart, Master Mariner, 64 shares 1884:Alfred Herbert Johnson and John Tasman Johnson, shipowners of Hobart, joint owners, 64 shares 1918: Sarah Caroline Kenyon, wife of William Kenyon of 73 Nott Street Port Melbourne, 32 shares; Benjamin Henniken of Rye, Stationholder, 32 shares (UID 102) |
| Details |
Although vessel stood erect, fully rigged, high and dry on beach, little attempt apparently made to refloat it in spite of earlier optimism. Had traded in the Bay since 1888. During lifetime had a succession of owners until 1918. Last owners engaged in attempt to develop a fertiliser industry from peat, extracted from Tootgarook Swamp. Product marketed under name of 'Cicada'- hence name change from Gertrude to Cicada. Project not viable; works closed down. Cicada reverted to the carrying of timber. Early in the 1920's kids would swim out to the wreck and climb all over it.
|
| Voyage Details | |
| Date Lost | 09 Aug 1922 |
| Voyage | from Melbourne to Sorrento |
| Cargo |
Timber and sundries
Had previously carried peat fertiliser
|
| Owner | Tootgarook Estate Pty Ltd, Rosebud |
| Weather conditions |
Strong westerly gale about 9 pm.
|
| Cause of Loss |
Dragged anchors and went ashore (UID 9, 152). Landed high on the beach (Peninsula Post 11/08/1922, p4, c1)
|
| Further Details | |
| Number of Passengers | 0 |
| Number of Crew Members | 3 |