S.S. CITY OF LAUNCESTON
Locationnorth of West Channel, Port Phillip Bay VHR NumberS124 Date lost19/11/1865 Year of construction1863 Official number32240 |
|
Statement of Significance
The City of Launceston is one of Victoria's most significant shipwrecks. The discovery and reporting of the wreck and subsequent lobbying of the State Government led to the proclamation of the State Historic Shipwrecks Act 1981. It is one of the most intact iron steamship wrecks of its age in Australian waters, is technically and scientifically significant for the remains of its engine and boiler, and evidence of the experimental salvage attempts using Patented Maquay hydrogen gas generating devices. The City of Launceston is archaeologically highly significant for the state of preservation of a complete intra-colonial steamship with evidence of its cabin fittings, passengers luggage and cargo.
*There is a 500m diameter Protected Zone around City of Launceston centred on position -38.0768292 S, 144.8263206 E WGS84. No entry is permitted unless a Permit has been authorised by Heritage Victoria. *
| Physical Description | |
|---|---|
| Construction Material | Iron |
| Rig | Schooner |
| Hull Details | Iron, clipper bow, elliptic stern |
| Propulsion | Steam - Screw |
| Engine Specification | Blackwood & Gordon |
| Engine Builder | direct acting inverted 2 cylinder, 80 HP, fitted with Thomas Silver s Patent steam governor, cylinders 34" diameter with 27 inch stroke, boiler 30lbs psi |
| Number of Masts | 2 |
| Length / Breadth / Depth | 177.2 Feet / 24.4 Feet / 11.7 Feet |
| History | |
| Builder | Blackwood & Gordon |
| Built Date | 1863 |
| Built Port / Country | Newark, Glasgow / Scotland |
| Registration Number | 11 of 1863 |
| Registration Port / Country | Launceston / Australia |
| Details |
About 9 pm, incoming SS Penola ( 500 tons) struck and ran down City of Launceston which began to settle almost immediately. Passengers and crew transferred with difficulty to Penola. Sunken vessel valued at about 17,000 pounds - not insured. Sold by auction to Barrett, engineer of City of Launceston, who sold to a syndicate but salvage attempts eventually abandoned. Victorian Steam Navigation Board Inquiry held City of Launceston to blame for accident. Two separate Supreme Court actions by the respective owners for damages found in favour of the plaintiff in each case! An appeal by the aggrieved owner of the Penola for a non suit or a new trial was ultimately refused. Eleutheria, lighter, exhibited light at wreck site until it too sank. City of Launceston was the first shipwreck to be declared an Historic Shipwreck under new Victorian legislation. Built for the Melbourne to Launceston Bass Strait run, it was a regular trader across Bass Strait.
|
| Uses of Vessel | |
| Primary Use | Services |
| Secondary Use | Passenger - Coastal |
| Voyage Details | |
| Date Lost | 19/11/1865 |
| Voyage | from Launceston to Launceston |
| Cargo |
General cargo including English mails, luggage, drapery inc. crinolines, cases of brandy, port, rum, cigars, tea, boots, sheepwash
|
| Owner | G. Fisher and partners, trading as Launceston and Melbourne Steam Navigation Co. |
| Master of Vessel | Capt. William Thom |
| Weather conditions |
Clear; starlit night; calm seas
|
| Cause of Loss |
Confusion between ships masters, collision
|
| Further Details | |
| Number of Passengers | 25 |
| Comments on Passenger |
Mr & Mrs Bowland, Mr & Mrs Horne and their 2 children, Mrs Woods (wife of the vessel's usual captain), Mrs Richards, Mrs McDonald, Dr Brook, Dr Moore and Messrs. J Moore, Chesterman, Thom, Bowland, M. Miller, E Miller and Roff.
Included in the steerage passengers Messrs. Lister, Hancock and Pilkington. The other steerage passengers are unknown as they bought their tickets onboard.
18 cabin, 7 steerage
|
| Number of Crew Members | 23 |