YARRA

Location

Lady Bay, Warrnambool

VHR Number

S746

Date lost

23/10/1882

Year of construction

1850

Official number

32019

Statement of Significance

The vessel is of historical significance as it was an early Australian built coastal trader constructed during the early 1850s. Due to the unknown location of the wreck it is impossible to assess whether it has any archaeological significance, however it may reveal important information about the construction of these unique vessels.

Physical Description

Rig Brig

Hull Details One deck and a break, square stern, carvel, billet head.

Number of Masts 2

Length / Breadth / Depth 88.3 Feet / 21.7 Feet / 10.0 Feet

History

Builder Henry Hargraves

Built Date 1850

Built Port / Country Hobart, Tasmania / Australia

Registration Number 31 of 1872

Registration Port / Country Melbourne / Australia

Former Details of Registration Adelaide - not given; 34 of 1859 (Melbourne); 11 of 1867 (Launceston). 1872 registered HR Reid & JC Poole.

Details
Portland Guardian reports: the Yarra was a Brigantine of 141 tons nett register, and was built at Hobart of blue gum, copper fastened and sheathed with metal, was a slow vessel, but suited very well for the coal trade. At Warrnambool, whilst waiting to discharge coal, anchors parted in heavy swell causing her to drift across Lady Bay out of control, first colliding with SS Darwin before grounding east of the jetties, 23 October, 1882 (Portland Guardian) (see attached atricle). Stone notes that the Yarra was: broke up the following day, and was later dynamited to remove all obstacle (Stone 2006).

Voyage Details

Date Lost 23/10/1882

Voyage from Newcastle to Warrnambool

Cargo
193 tons of coal from Newcastle.

Cause of Loss
Parted anchors in heavy swell and drifted out of control across Lady Bay, first colliding with the SS Dawn, before grounding east of the jetties. Broke up by the following day.

Further Details

Number of Passengers 0

Number of Crew Members 0

Physical Description
Rig	Brig
Hull Details	One deck and a break, square stern, carvel, billet head.
Number of Masts	2
Length / Breadth / Depth	88.3 Feet / 21.7 Feet / 10.0 Feet

Builder	Henry Hargraves
Built Date	1850
Built Port / Country	Hobart, Tasmania / Australia
Registration Number	31 of 1872
Registration Port / Country	Melbourne / Australia
Former Details of Registration	Adelaide - not given; 34 of 1859 (Melbourne); 11 of 1867 (Launceston). 1872 registered HR Reid & JC Poole.
Details	Portland Guardian reports: the Yarra was a Brigantine of 141 tons nett register, and was built at Hobart of blue gum, copper fastened and sheathed with metal, was a slow vessel, but suited very well for the coal trade. At Warrnambool, whilst waiting to discharge coal, anchors parted in heavy swell causing her to drift across Lady Bay out of control, first colliding with SS Darwin before grounding east of the jetties, 23 October, 1882 (Portland Guardian) (see attached atricle). Stone notes that the Yarra was: broke up the following day, and was later dynamited to remove all obstacle (Stone 2006).


Date Lost	23/10/1882
Voyage	from Newcastle to Warrnambool
Cargo	193 tons of coal from Newcastle.
Cause of Loss	Parted anchors in heavy swell and drifted out of control across Lady Bay, first colliding with the SS Dawn, before grounding east of the jetties. Broke up by the following day.

Number of Passengers	0
Number of Crew Members	0

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