BLACK WATCH

Location

Bass Strait, west of Cape Otway

VHR Number

S78

Date lost

16/04/1867

Year of construction

1866

Official number

52403

Statement of Significance

It is impossible to assess the archaeological significance of the Black Watch as the site has not been located. Its historical significance is that it is representative of the types of vessels involved in the Australian and New Zealand intercolonial trades.

Physical Description

Construction Material Wood

Rig Schooner

Propulsion Sail

Number of Masts 2

Length / Breadth / Depth 81.0 Feet / 21.4 Feet / 9.5 Feet

History

Builder Archibald Stuart

Built Date 1866

Built Port / Country Whangarei / New Zealand

Registration Port / Country Auckland / New Zealand

Details
While on a voyage from Adelaide to New Zealand, the New Zealand built schooner Black Watch was abandoned after springing a leak off Cape Otway. The vessel was midway between Warrnambool and Cape Otway, and well to the south-east of Warrnambool, when the captain and carpenter discovered a quantity of water in the hold. It was 11pm and it was evident that the vessel was filling rapidly, and would have to be abandoned. When the water was a foot over the cabin floor the crew took to the boats, but remained in the vicinity. By daylight the Black Watch had disappeared. Later that morning the steamer Coorong from Adelaide to Melbourne, hove in sight and took the shipwrecked crewmen aboard. The Warrnambool Examiner reported that the Black Watch had sailed from Warrnambool for Adelaide on 22 March with a cargo of potatoes and was returning to Melbourne when she foundered (Warrnambool Examiner 23/4/1867). According to the Adelaide Register however, the vessel was in harbour at Adelaide on 27 March and was cleared out on 29 March for Taranaki, New Zealand. The vessel was probably delayed by contrary winds as it cleared out again from Adelaide for Taranaki on 8 April with a cargo of wheat and flour and sailed on 11 April (Adelaide Register 12 April 1867). The Belfast Gazette reported that the crew were able to get away in a small boat with a compass, chart and very few clothes. The SS Coorong picked them up 25 miles west of Cape Otway (Warrnambool Examiner 23/4/1867). The wreck of the Black Watch has not been positively identified, although it has been speculated that shipwreck remains near Seperation Creek that match its tonnage may be from the Black Watch. However this is now considered unlikely as the evidence is that the Black Watch had foundered and disappeared 25 miles west of Cape Otway. #VHR: While on a voyage from Adelaide to Melbourne, the New Zealand schooner Black Watch sprang a leak. It was soon evident that the vessel was sinking, so the master and crew abandoned ship mid way between Warrnambool and Cape Otway.#

Voyage Details

Date Lost 16/04/1867

Voyage from Adelaide to Taranaki, New Zealand

Cargo
996 bags wheat, G. A. and H. Bartleet; 85 do., flour, Captain Stewart

Owner Brown, Campbell and Co., Alexander McKenzie

Master of Vessel Captain Stewart

Weather conditions
Not known

Cause of Loss
Sprang leak

Further Details

Number of Passengers 0

Number of Crew Members 0

Physical Description
Construction Material	Wood
Rig	Schooner
Propulsion	Sail
Number of Masts	2
Length / Breadth / Depth	81.0 Feet / 21.4 Feet / 9.5 Feet

Builder	Archibald Stuart
Built Date	1866
Built Port / Country	Whangarei / New Zealand
Registration Port / Country	Auckland / New Zealand
Details	While on a voyage from Adelaide to New Zealand, the New Zealand built schooner Black Watch was abandoned after springing a leak off Cape Otway. The vessel was midway between Warrnambool and Cape Otway, and well to the south-east of Warrnambool, when the captain and carpenter discovered a quantity of water in the hold. It was 11pm and it was evident that the vessel was filling rapidly, and would have to be abandoned. When the water was a foot over the cabin floor the crew took to the boats, but remained in the vicinity. By daylight the Black Watch had disappeared. Later that morning the steamer Coorong from Adelaide to Melbourne, hove in sight and took the shipwrecked crewmen aboard. The Warrnambool Examiner reported that the Black Watch had sailed from Warrnambool for Adelaide on 22 March with a cargo of potatoes and was returning to Melbourne when she foundered (Warrnambool Examiner 23/4/1867). According to the Adelaide Register however, the vessel was in harbour at Adelaide on 27 March and was cleared out on 29 March for Taranaki, New Zealand. The vessel was probably delayed by contrary winds as it cleared out again from Adelaide for Taranaki on 8 April with a cargo of wheat and flour and sailed on 11 April (Adelaide Register 12 April 1867). The Belfast Gazette reported that the crew were able to get away in a small boat with a compass, chart and very few clothes. The SS Coorong picked them up 25 miles west of Cape Otway (Warrnambool Examiner 23/4/1867). The wreck of the Black Watch has not been positively identified, although it has been speculated that shipwreck remains near Seperation Creek that match its tonnage may be from the Black Watch. However this is now considered unlikely as the evidence is that the Black Watch had foundered and disappeared 25 miles west of Cape Otway. #VHR: While on a voyage from Adelaide to Melbourne, the New Zealand schooner Black Watch sprang a leak. It was soon evident that the vessel was sinking, so the master and crew abandoned ship mid way between Warrnambool and Cape Otway.#


Date Lost	16/04/1867
Voyage	from Adelaide to Taranaki, New Zealand
Cargo	996 bags wheat, G. A. and H. Bartleet; 85 do., flour, Captain Stewart
Owner	Brown, Campbell and Co., Alexander McKenzie
Master of Vessel	Captain Stewart
Weather conditions	Not known
Cause of Loss	Sprang leak

Number of Passengers	0
Number of Crew Members	0

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