BLACK EAGLE

Location

Breakwater Pier, Williamstown

VHR Number

S77

Date lost

26/12/1884

Year of construction

1852

Official number

43311

Statement of Significance

The vessel is significant as it represents a type of vessel, paddle steamer employed for passenger transportation around Victoria. It is historically significant for this reason and for its involvement as an excursion steamer in Port Phillip Bay. Its archaeological significance is difficult to assess due to it having not been inspected and with historical sources indicating that it had been salvaged and dismantled after being refloated.

Physical Description

Construction Material Wood

Hull Details Clinker built, sheathed with yellow metal 1853 2 Carvel built, 1 deck, round stern

Propulsion Steam - Paddle

Engine Builder Steam engine 50 or 60 HP

Length / Breadth / Depth 87.5 Feet / 17.1 Feet / 9.7 Feet

History

Built Date 1852

Built Port / Country South Shields or North Shields (UID 134) / England

Registration Number 89 of 1854

Registration Port / Country Melbourne / Australia

Former Details of Registration No. 146 of 1853 (Glasgow) Barclay Curle adn Wm Buchanan Previous owners: DOve & Oswald, Melbourne 1862; John Oswald and Daniel Inglis, Sept 1866; Hugh Reid & others may 1872. James Deane joins Reid & Co 1874 (UID 134)

Details
After making several trips safely that day, about 3 pm sprang a leak. Water gained rapidly causing vessel to list to one side but passengers were landed at St Kilda before steamer sank within the hour. Had been overhauled three weeks earlier. Marine Board Inquiry praised Fitzgibbon for preventing panic and getting steamer alongside St Kilda Pier. Black Eagle partly insured. Licensed to carry 194 passengers until 10 June 1885. Auctioned and sold for ten pounds to John Clark on 30 Dec. 1884. Attempts to refloat steamer finally successful, towed to Williamstown and dismantled. Remains were sunk on seaward side of Breakwater Pier. Parts of boiler visible as late as 1956. Had arrived from Glasgow, Feb.1854, carrying bricks and cordages, then employed between Railway Pier and Williamstown and as excursion steamer. Had assisted at wreck of City of Launceston , Nov. 1865. Had a number of earlier owners.

Voyage Details

Date Lost 26/12/1884

Voyage from Brighton to St Kilda

Cargo
Not applicable Had previously carried bricks and cordages (UID 134)

Owner 7 owners at 11 July 1884, (Melbourne Towage Co.) incl. James Deane, Hugh Reid, David York Syme, James McIntyre, John Clark, Robert Mannock, Frederick Reed

Master of Vessel Captain John Fitzgibbon

Cause of Loss
Sprang a leak near Point Ormond, abandoned and sank at St Kilda jetty (UID 52, 9) Later refloated and towed to Wiliamstown

Further Details

Number of Passengers 130

Comments on Passenger
Excursionists

Number of Crew Members 0

Physical Description
Construction Material	Wood
Hull Details	Clinker built, sheathed with yellow metal 1853 2 Carvel built, 1 deck, round stern
Propulsion	Steam - Paddle
Engine Builder	Steam engine 50 or 60 HP
Length / Breadth / Depth	87.5 Feet / 17.1 Feet / 9.7 Feet

Built Date	1852
Built Port / Country	South Shields or North Shields (UID 134) / England
Registration Number	89 of 1854
Registration Port / Country	Melbourne / Australia
Former Details of Registration	No. 146 of 1853 (Glasgow) Barclay Curle adn Wm Buchanan Previous owners: DOve & Oswald, Melbourne 1862; John Oswald and Daniel Inglis, Sept 1866; Hugh Reid & others may 1872. James Deane joins Reid & Co 1874 (UID 134)
Details	After making several trips safely that day, about 3 pm sprang a leak. Water gained rapidly causing vessel to list to one side but passengers were landed at St Kilda before steamer sank within the hour. Had been overhauled three weeks earlier. Marine Board Inquiry praised Fitzgibbon for preventing panic and getting steamer alongside St Kilda Pier. Black Eagle partly insured. Licensed to carry 194 passengers until 10 June 1885. Auctioned and sold for ten pounds to John Clark on 30 Dec. 1884. Attempts to refloat steamer finally successful, towed to Williamstown and dismantled. Remains were sunk on seaward side of Breakwater Pier. Parts of boiler visible as late as 1956. Had arrived from Glasgow, Feb.1854, carrying bricks and cordages, then employed between Railway Pier and Williamstown and as excursion steamer. Had assisted at wreck of City of Launceston , Nov. 1865. Had a number of earlier owners.


Date Lost	26/12/1884
Voyage	from Brighton to St Kilda
Cargo	Not applicable Had previously carried bricks and cordages (UID 134)
Owner	7 owners at 11 July 1884, (Melbourne Towage Co.) incl. James Deane, Hugh Reid, David York Syme, James McIntyre, John Clark, Robert Mannock, Frederick Reed
Master of Vessel	Captain John Fitzgibbon
Cause of Loss	Sprang a leak near Point Ormond, abandoned and sank at St Kilda jetty (UID 52, 9) Later refloated and towed to Wiliamstown

Number of Passengers	130
Comments on Passenger	Excursionists
Number of Crew Members	0

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