SEA BIRD

Location Port Phillip Bay, near West Channel Lightship VHR Number S614 Date lost 19/06/1867 Year of construction 1864 Official number 43146

Statement of Significance

Physical Description
Construction Material	Wood
Rig	Barquentine
Hull Details	Billet head, carvel built,no galleries, one deck, elliptical stern
Propulsion	Sail
Number of Masts	3
Length / Breadth / Depth	130.0 Feet / 28.0 Feet / 11.0 Feet
History
Built Date	1864
Built Port / Country	Bath, Maine / United States of America
Registration Number	37 of 1866
Registration Port / Country	Melbourne / Australia
Former Details of Registration	No. 6 of 1865
Details	Ran ashore near West Channel lightship about 1.40 pm. Despite attempts by crew and steamers Pharos , Black Eagle and Resolute , efforts to refloat vessel failed, became a total wreck over next month. Wreck buoy placed on wreck site in 1868. Insured for 3,000 pounds Monarch lost close to Seabird. No auction of wreck, no record of carriage of mail, no report of any Marine Board Inquiry located. Timber samples taken from the site revealed that the vessel had been constructed of Baltic Pine, Birch, Spruce, Red Oakand White Oak.
Voyage Details
Date Lost	19/06/1867
Voyage	from Newcastle to Melbourne
Cargo	400 tons coal
Owner	Capt. Anthony Abbott
Master of Vessel	Captain Evans
Cause of Loss	Parted cables and ran aground
Further Details
Number of Passengers	0
Number of Crew Members	0