LocationPort Phillip Heads, Point Nepean, Petriana Reef VHR NumberS524 Date lost28/11/1903 Year of construction1879 Official number81600 |
The Petriana is significant historically as a shipwreck that became a focus in Australian politics for the treatment of its Lascar (Indo-Malay) crew under the White Australia policy. It was also Victoria's, and Australia's first oil spill, with catastrophic environmental consequences. The remains of the Petriana represent the increasing use of fuel oils, and the use of specially made bulk oil transport ships.
Physical Description | |
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Construction Material | Iron |
Hull Details | Iron; single deck, 2 tiers beams; 6 compartments( bulk oil storrage; waterballast, elliptic stern |
Propulsion | Steam - Screw |
Engine Specification | John Dickinson, Sunderland UK |
Engine Builder | twin compound, direct-acting, surface condensing, 200HP, 9.5 knots max speed |
Number of Masts | 3 |
Length / Breadth / Depth | 260.5 Feet / 34.25 Feet / 21.75 Feet |
History | |
Builder | A. Leslie & Co. |
Built Date | 1879 |
Built Port / Country | Newcastle / England |
Registration Port / Country | London / England |
Details |
Ran ashore while in charge of Pilot Henry Press. Soon after 7 am. Because of danger from cargo, officers and crew quickly taken off. Abandoned after unsuccessful attempts by tugs to move vessel. Oil had been pumped out in attempt to lighten vessel, causing contamination of fish and pollution to nearby beaches that lasted for months. This was Victoria's and Australia's first major oil spill. Pilot Press, in spite of high regard in which he was held by the maritime community, had his certificate suspended for 12 months for negligence. Invoking the immigration laws of the newly federated Commonwealth of Australia, the local authorities refused to allow the Asiatic seamen to land - they were kept on a tug in the Bay, awaiting transhipment. A press and public outcry followed. Deakin, the Prime Minister, supported the decision. Captain Kerr was appalled at this application of the 'White Australia' policy. The men were soon shipped back to Hong Kong, via Singapore, on the Japanese steamer Kasuga Maru.
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Voyage Details | |
Date Lost | 28/11/1903 |
Voyage | from Balik Papan, Boneo to Melbourne |
Cargo |
1300 tons oil
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Owner | Asiatic Petroleum Co. Ltd (Shell Transport and Trading Company) |
Master of Vessel | Captain William Kerr |
Weather conditions |
Foggy conditions; morning; flood tide making
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Cause of Loss |
Ran ashore in fog
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Further Details | |
Number of Passengers | 0 |
Number of Crew Members | 35 |
Comments on Crew Members |
5 white officers, 16 Chinese, 11 Malays
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