Scarce pair of engravings on the ones sheet depicting the wreck of the Blencathra on King Island on October 26, 1874.
The barque Blencathra had embarked on her inaugural journey from Glasgow to Sydney, with a general cargo, a solitary passenger, and a crew of 19, led by Captain D. Nicholas.
On February 2, 1875, while communicating with another vessel, it became evident that the Blencathra’s compass displayed considerable variation, likely attributed to its iron hull, yet inadequately compensated for. Anticipating the sight of Cape Otway light, the crew instead spotted Cape Wickham during the evening of February 3, mistakenly believing it to be Otway. They altered the ship’s course to the southwest, but two hours later, they encountered breakers directly ahead. Hindered by heavy swell and reduced canvas, the Blencathra couldn’t maneuver, and both port and starboard anchors were deployed. Regrettably, the cables soon snapped, and the Blencathra drifted ashore beneath what would later become the site of the Currie lighthouse.
All crew members safely disembarked with assistance from those involved in British Admiral salvage operations. Subsequently, they collaborated in recovering the vessel’s cargo, much of which remained undamaged. The ketch Secret later transported the Blencathra’s crew to Melbourne. The wreck was purchased by L. Stephenson & Son of Melbourne, who dispatched the steamer Rescue with a salvage team and Customs officials to the site, particularly concerned about the substantial quantity of dutiable goods aboard.
After unloading 25 tons of gunpowder and storing 800 cases of whisky on a guarded section of flat rock overnight, 75 cases mysteriously disappeared by morning, with no recovery reported. The ketch Kangaroo was later seized for possessing stolen tobacco and other goods from the wreck, condemned by Customs, and auctioned in Launceston. Despite unsuccessful attempts to refloat the Blencathra, she succumbed to a gale on August 15, with most of her cargo already recovered. A lengthy court case regarding the master’s right to sell the cargo was eventually settled to the contentment of all involved. An inquiry into the wreck absolved the master and officers of blame, recognizing that once the ship had mistaken Cape Wickham for Cape Otway and been ensnared by the strong southwest current, little could have been done to prevent its grounding.
From the original edition of the Illustrated Australian News.
Collections:
University Queensland: Identifier 991000982479703131
State Library Victoria: PCINF IAN 04-09-76 P.133
National Library Australia: Bib ID 2495305
State Library New South Wales: CALL NUMBERS F079/55, TN380
Royal Geographic Society SA: RGS Special Coll. 079.94 I29d
References:
Syme, E. & D, Illustrated Australian News. ISSN 2208-5386.
