FALLS OF HALLADALE

Location

Massacre Bay, Peterborough

VHR Number

S255

Date lost

14/11/1908

Year of construction

1886

Official number

93300

Statement of Significance

Iron ship building revolutionised the shipbuilding industry and dramatically altered the structure, organisation and traditional distribution of shipbuilding yards. Iron as a material was used for a very short space of time, steel took over by the turn of the century. Iron ships had been built in response to the demand by shippers for strength, lightness, stowage, capacity, safety, durability and speed as well as economy in repairs. Iron hulls presented special problems because of the chemical factors bringing about corrosion and fouling the outer hull in marine environments and the corrosion and damage from the chemical make up of the cargoes. Iron as a hull material created a new set of problems for navigation as compasses were thrown out by the magnetic field created by the hull itself.

Physical Description

Construction Material Iron

Rig Barque

Propulsion Sail

Number of Masts 4

Length / Breadth / Depth 275.2 Feet / 41.6 Feet / 23.9 Feet

History

Builder Russell & Co

Built Date 1886

Built Port / Country Greenock / Scotland

Registration Port / Country Glasgow / Scotland

Details
The four masted barque Falls of Halladale was 102 days out from New York when it ran ashore at Peterborough at 3 am on the morning of 14th November 1908. Within minutes, water poured into the holds and the crew safely disembarked and rowed for three hours until they beached at the Bay of Islands. The vessel grounded in fair weather on an ENE tack. A mist over the land created an optical illusion of a distant horizon, and the crew thought the ship was 10 miles off the coast when it was less than one mile away, heading for the rocks. When the danger was discovered, it was too late. The anchors could not be let go in time, and the ship had no headway to change tack. The Falls of Halladale struck heavily amidships, about 200 yards from shore. Soon after abandoning the ship, the crew found the stern awash with breakers sweeping over the decks as far as the foremast. The vessel lay in a small bay just to the west of Peterborough with its sails set, and provided a spectacle for sightseers. Two salvage ventures proved to be financial disasters. The captain of the Falls of Halladale was found guilty of a gross act of misconduct in that he carelessly navigated the vessel. His certificate was suspended for six months.

Voyage Details

Date Lost 14/11/1908

Voyage from New York to Melbourne

Cargo
2800 tons of cargo valued at 50,000 pounds printing paper, wood, iron, hardware, wire, lamp goods, plumbing metal, sewing machines, pumps material, carriage woodwork, clocks, desks, canned fish, turps, domestic goods, benzine, lubricating oil, resin, glucose, plaster, tar, lime, slate, stationery, drug sundaries, lumber, timber, carpet sweepers, shade rollers, screens, wheels, agricultural implements, screws, stoves and sundries.

Owner T. Laws & Co.

Master of Vessel Capt. D.W. Thomson

Weather conditions
Hazy, misty conditions creating an optical illusion that land was some distance away

Cause of Loss
Careless navigation, hazy weather

Further Details

Number of Passengers 0

Number of Crew Members 29

Comments on Crew Members
T. Person - chief officer,T.Griffen, second - officer, W.D.Parker- steward, A.Armstrong - cook, G.McKenzie - boatswain, R.Nelson, sail - maker, A.Shand - carpenter Apprentices J.Walker, J.Allen, R.Kerr, L.Pussie, J.Harvey, C.Bailey A.B s P.Bramo

Physical Description
Construction Material	Iron
Rig	Barque
Propulsion	Sail
Number of Masts	4
Length / Breadth / Depth	275.2 Feet / 41.6 Feet / 23.9 Feet

Builder	Russell & Co
Built Date	1886
Built Port / Country	Greenock / Scotland
Registration Port / Country	Glasgow / Scotland
Details	The four masted barque Falls of Halladale was 102 days out from New York when it ran ashore at Peterborough at 3 am on the morning of 14th November 1908. Within minutes, water poured into the holds and the crew safely disembarked and rowed for three hours until they beached at the Bay of Islands. The vessel grounded in fair weather on an ENE tack. A mist over the land created an optical illusion of a distant horizon, and the crew thought the ship was 10 miles off the coast when it was less than one mile away, heading for the rocks. When the danger was discovered, it was too late. The anchors could not be let go in time, and the ship had no headway to change tack. The Falls of Halladale struck heavily amidships, about 200 yards from shore. Soon after abandoning the ship, the crew found the stern awash with breakers sweeping over the decks as far as the foremast. The vessel lay in a small bay just to the west of Peterborough with its sails set, and provided a spectacle for sightseers. Two salvage ventures proved to be financial disasters. The captain of the Falls of Halladale was found guilty of a gross act of misconduct in that he carelessly navigated the vessel. His certificate was suspended for six months.


Date Lost	14/11/1908
Voyage	from New York to Melbourne
Cargo	2800 tons of cargo valued at 50,000 pounds printing paper, wood, iron, hardware, wire, lamp goods, plumbing metal, sewing machines, pumps material, carriage woodwork, clocks, desks, canned fish, turps, domestic goods, benzine, lubricating oil, resin, glucose, plaster, tar, lime, slate, stationery, drug sundaries, lumber, timber, carpet sweepers, shade rollers, screens, wheels, agricultural implements, screws, stoves and sundries.
Owner	T. Laws & Co.
Master of Vessel	Capt. D.W. Thomson
Weather conditions	Hazy, misty conditions creating an optical illusion that land was some distance away
Cause of Loss	Careless navigation, hazy weather

Number of Passengers	0
Number of Crew Members	29
Comments on Crew Members	T. Person - chief officer,T.Griffen, second - officer, W.D.Parker- steward, A.Armstrong - cook, G.McKenzie - boatswain, R.Nelson, sail - maker, A.Shand - carpenter Apprentices J.Walker, J.Allen, R.Kerr, L.Pussie, J.Harvey, C.Bailey A.B s P.Bramo

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