ISABELLA WATSON

Location

Nepean Reef, Port Phillip Heads

VHR Number

S346

Date lost

21/03/1852

Year of construction

1840

Statement of Significance

The Isabella Watson is historically significant as an example of an emigrant ship from the UK to Port Phillip. Its archaeological significance lies in the remainder of the ship's cargo that is associated with the wreck and has the potential to reveal information about mid C19th material culture. It is historically and socially significant for its association with the ongoing debate surrounding the Port Phillip Pilot Service, and for its association with 9 deaths

Physical Description

Construction Material Wood

Rig Full Rigged Ship

Hull Details Wood, yellow metalled and part repaired 1851, classified A1 by Lloyd's 1851

Propulsion Sail

Number of Masts 3

Length / Breadth / Depth 118.0 Feet / 26.0 Feet / 18.0 Feet

History

Builder R. Menzies & Co

Built Date 1840

Built Port / Country Leith / Scotland

Registration Port / Country Glasgow / Scotland

Details
After a fair voyage the immigrant ship, in attempting to enter the Heads, struck the then uncharted Corsair Rock in a sudden violent squall and wind change at 5 pm. Starboard side stove in, stern and stern post carried away. Against his better judgement, Captain Fullarton finally acquiesced to the passengers' pleas for the boats to be launched. One landed safely but the ship's mizzen mast fell on the next boat, capsizing it as it left the ship - 6 women and 3 men drowned. The remainder (about 60) were landed safely after the pilots, on a rescue mission, managed to secure a line to the rocks. Pilot Tobin commended for battling the surf with a life-line. However, Pilot Lawler resigned - had been late leaving to board Isabella Watson, and, unable to reach the wrecked vessel due to the heavy seas, had returned to Queenscliff to consult with the other pilots. Captain Fullarton, last to leave Isabella Watson, was praised for risking his own life for those of the passengers. Early press reports indicated that eight, not nine, people had drowned. Press called on the government to ensure that the pilot service operate outside the Heads and for lights at the Heads. In 1842 the vessel had carried 197male convicts (incl. 2 who died) to Hobart. Ports and Harbors incorrectly gave date lost as 21 April 1852.

Voyage Details

Date Lost 21/03/1852

Voyage from London to Melbourne

Cargo
General: merchandise, brandy, porter, ale, gig shaft rails, tobacco, lucifer matches, beer, puncheon varnishes colours etc., iron & brass work, tin, rum, red lead, wine, oil, ring weights, hardware, iron pots, ovens & covers, vinegar, books, stationery, looking glasses, glassware, playing cards (UID 9)

Owner Russell and Raeburn, Glasgow

Master of Vessel Captain John Fullarton

Weather conditions
SE; force 2; clear; day; strong ebb tide ; squally

Cause of Loss
Attempted to enter the Heads and was struck in a squall. Struck Corsair Rock. Starboard side was stove in & stem & stern posts carried away (UID 71). Driven onto shore & became a total wreck. Pilot had been late leaving the beach to board the Isabella Watson, was unable to reach the vessel due to strong seas.

Further Details

Number of Passengers 50

Comments on Passenger
50 passengers: 16 cabin; 34 intermediate and steerage (landed Passenger List only has 43 names). Elijah 31yo Derrick; Jane 34yo Hobbs; Joseph 21yo Terry; William 29 Terry; Emma 31 Langford; George 25 Langford; Martha 26 Orphert; James 30 Orphert; Jane 29 Butler; Alfred 25 Oliver; George 53 Oliver; Susan 55 Paterson; Thomas 36 Paterson; Jane Gray 34 Paterson; Eliza 5 Paterson; Jannet 32 Drew; Samuel 26 Rudd; John 24 Kingsley; Samuel 36 Kingsley; George 21 Kingsley; Emma 21 Bell; George 28 Tolbert; Richard 23 Christian; Thomas 27 Menaud; Joseph 37 Simpson; Hutchison 20 Dudgeon; William 25 Verdon; Mr C.E. 30 Pasley; Mr Walter Pasley; Wife with Parker; H.M. Mr Parker; Wife with Carr; W. Mr 34 Taylor; Thomas H. Mr Taylor; Wife with Taylor; Child with 6 Taylor; infant with I Moriat; Robert Mr 37 Gray Archibald Mr 30 Ritchie; Thomas Mr 20 Mandell; J Mr Clarke; Hubert Mr 34

Number of Crew Members 21

Comments on Crew Members
William J. Pierce (surgeon)

Physical Description
Construction Material	Wood
Rig	Full Rigged Ship
Hull Details	Wood, yellow metalled and part repaired 1851, classified A1 by Lloyd's 1851
Propulsion	Sail
Number of Masts	3
Length / Breadth / Depth	118.0 Feet / 26.0 Feet / 18.0 Feet

Builder	R. Menzies & Co
Built Date	1840
Built Port / Country	Leith / Scotland
Registration Port / Country	Glasgow / Scotland
Details	After a fair voyage the immigrant ship, in attempting to enter the Heads, struck the then uncharted Corsair Rock in a sudden violent squall and wind change at 5 pm. Starboard side stove in, stern and stern post carried away. Against his better judgement, Captain Fullarton finally acquiesced to the passengers' pleas for the boats to be launched. One landed safely but the ship's mizzen mast fell on the next boat, capsizing it as it left the ship - 6 women and 3 men drowned. The remainder (about 60) were landed safely after the pilots, on a rescue mission, managed to secure a line to the rocks. Pilot Tobin commended for battling the surf with a life-line. However, Pilot Lawler resigned - had been late leaving to board Isabella Watson, and, unable to reach the wrecked vessel due to the heavy seas, had returned to Queenscliff to consult with the other pilots. Captain Fullarton, last to leave Isabella Watson, was praised for risking his own life for those of the passengers. Early press reports indicated that eight, not nine, people had drowned. Press called on the government to ensure that the pilot service operate outside the Heads and for lights at the Heads. In 1842 the vessel had carried 197male convicts (incl. 2 who died) to Hobart. Ports and Harbors incorrectly gave date lost as 21 April 1852.


Date Lost	21/03/1852
Voyage	from London to Melbourne
Cargo	General: merchandise, brandy, porter, ale, gig shaft rails, tobacco, lucifer matches, beer, puncheon varnishes colours etc., iron & brass work, tin, rum, red lead, wine, oil, ring weights, hardware, iron pots, ovens & covers, vinegar, books, stationery, looking glasses, glassware, playing cards (UID 9)
Owner	Russell and Raeburn, Glasgow
Master of Vessel	Captain John Fullarton
Weather conditions	SE; force 2; clear; day; strong ebb tide ; squally
Cause of Loss	Attempted to enter the Heads and was struck in a squall. Struck Corsair Rock. Starboard side was stove in & stem & stern posts carried away (UID 71). Driven onto shore & became a total wreck. Pilot had been late leaving the beach to board the Isabella Watson, was unable to reach the vessel due to strong seas.

Number of Passengers	50
Comments on Passenger	50 passengers: 16 cabin; 34 intermediate and steerage (landed Passenger List only has 43 names). Elijah 31yo Derrick; Jane 34yo Hobbs; Joseph 21yo Terry; William 29 Terry; Emma 31 Langford; George 25 Langford; Martha 26 Orphert; James 30 Orphert; Jane 29 Butler; Alfred 25 Oliver; George 53 Oliver; Susan 55 Paterson; Thomas 36 Paterson; Jane Gray 34 Paterson; Eliza 5 Paterson; Jannet 32 Drew; Samuel 26 Rudd; John 24 Kingsley; Samuel 36 Kingsley; George 21 Kingsley; Emma 21 Bell; George 28 Tolbert; Richard 23 Christian; Thomas 27 Menaud; Joseph 37 Simpson; Hutchison 20 Dudgeon; William 25 Verdon; Mr C.E. 30 Pasley; Mr Walter Pasley; Wife with Parker; H.M. Mr Parker; Wife with Carr; W. Mr 34 Taylor; Thomas H. Mr Taylor; Wife with Taylor; Child with 6 Taylor; infant with I Moriat; Robert Mr 37 Gray Archibald Mr 30 Ritchie; Thomas Mr 20 Mandell; J Mr Clarke; Hubert Mr 34
Number of Crew Members	21
Comments on Crew Members	William J. Pierce (surgeon)

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