CURLEW

Statement of Significance

Physical Description
Construction Material	Wood
Rig	Schooner
Hull Details	One deck, square stern, carvel built centreboard
Propulsion	Sail
Number of Masts	2
Length / Breadth / Depth	94.3 Feet / 30.8 Feet / 4.8 Feet
History
Builder	George Turnbull Nichol of Auckland
Built Date	1907
Built Port / Country	New Zealand / Auckland
Registration Number	32 of 1911
Registration Port / Country	Sydney / Australia
Former Details of Registration	6 of 1907
Details	The Curlew was a New Zealand-built scow, a distinctive type of broad, flat-bottomed sailing vessel that evolved for use in shallow water and for crossing dangerous bars at river mouths. The Curlew was sheltering at Greater Glennie Island from a gale. The wind changed direction and the vessel was blown onto the rocks. Wreckage from the vessel is still to be found at a number of locations on Wilsons Promontory. Iron bark piles were seen floating in the vicinity of the Promontory and were a temporary danger to navigation. However report state that the wood was green and tied with chains which would sink.
Voyage Details
Date Lost	27/09/1915
Voyage	from Nambucca, NSW to Melbourne, via Sydney
Cargo	41 ironbark piles
Owner	J.B. Ellerker
Master of Vessel	Captain Charles Edward Young
Cause of Loss	24th September 1915 anchored in the shelter of Great Glennie Island in strong NW winds having arrived there on the previous Friday. at 3.00pm the wind shifted to the NNW and strengthened driving the vessel towards the rocks. The crew abandoned the vessel when she was within a few fathoms of the island and made their way to shore. At about 7.00pm they heard the scow strike the rocks. Next morning the vessel had disappeared and the crew spent two nights sheltering on the island until picked up by the SS Manawatu.
Further Details
Number of Passengers	0
Number of Crew Members	6