|
You can also help us to provide you with more resources by making a payment, just click on the PayPal™ button on the left.
The following report was transcribed from The Argus, 22nd February 1932 :
“STEAMER WRECKED.
AGROUND ON N.S.W. COAST.
“NORTHERN FIRTH ABANDONED.
CREW LANDED SAFELY.
“SYDNEY, Sunday. - The cargo steamer Northern Firth grounded on the rocky shore of Brush Island, on the South Coast, this afternoon. She was soon driven hard and fast on the rocks in a moderate to rough sea. By 8 o’clock to-night the vessel had filled with water, and it was feared she would be a total loss. The crew were landed on Brush Island at 7 o’clock. Brush Island is about 15 miles south of Ulladulla, 131 miles from Sydney.
“Owned by James Patrick and Co. Ltd., the Northern Firth left Melbourne for Sydney on Saturday with about 1,800 tons of general cargo. She was due at Sydney to-morrow morning. The first intimation of the wreck was a wireless message from the Northern Firth to Sydney to say that the vessel had struck a rock off Brush Island about half-past 3 o’clock. A hole was torn in the vessel’s side, and the engine-room filled with water and the engines were put out of commission. The wind drove the vessel on to the rocks which surround the island, and within two hours she had settled fast about 30ft. from land.
“At the orders of the master, Mr. J. McDonald, the crew took the ship’s boats and landed on the island safely. They were able to take their belongings ashore with them. When the Northern Firth first struck the rocks wireless messages for assistance were sent out. The steamer Yarra, which is bringing cargo from Geelong to Sydney, was in the vicinity, and she steamed full speed to the Northern Firth and reached her about 4 o’clock and stood by for four hours. The Northern Firth had been driven too far on to the rocks, however, and was too badly damaged for salvage, and at 6 o’clock the Yarra resumed her voyage to Sydney. Brush Island is about a quarter of a mile from the mainland, and the crew should have no difficulty in reaching the mainland. The nearest settlement is Kiolea [Kioloa], about two miles south. The crew will be brought to Sydney by motor-car.
“The Northern Firth has been in the service of James Patrick and Co. Ltd. since October, 1930, when she brought from England for the Brisbane-Sydney-Melbourne cargo trade. She is of 1,954 tons gross, and was built by the Grangemouth Dockyard Co. Ltd., England, in 1922.”
See Also
|
