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The Argus, 24th March 1870 :
The Rangoon, from Melbourne for Newcastle, drove ashore near Kiama yesterday, during a fearful gale. Captain Charles sent to Kiama and obtained a boat, which rescued the crew and landed them at Shoalhaven. The Rangoon has since become a total wreck.”
The Brisbane Courier, 24th March 1870 :
“The barque Rangoon has been totally wrecked near Kiama. The crew were saved.”
The Brisbane Courier, 2nd April 1870 :
“WRECK OF THE RANGOON. - This barque acme on shore this morning, Tuesday, March 22, on the east side of a small island at the mouth of the Minnimurra [Minnamurra River], about three hundred yards from the mainland. The Rangoon left Melbourne on March 9, with easterly fresh breeze which prevailed to Saturday, the 19th March, when the wind shifted suddenly west, next veering N.W. Sunday, the 20th, wind W.S.W.; at 2 a.m., on Monday, wind south, and shifted S.S.E., the barque shipped a heavy sea, which carried away a stancheon from the starboard side; at 10 a.m. , the foremast shifter was carried from the main rigging; main topsail was taken in, and the ship laid under bare poles, the wind now increasing to a hurricane; at 10 p.m., the wind S.E., then veering E; at half-past 2 a.m. Tuesday, land was seen through a thick haze, which prevented anything being seen beyond fifty yards; sail was put on, the ship lay to leeward, but could not gain off the land; the wind continued to blow hard from the east; at about half-past 2 the ship struck and was lifted fairly over a ledge of rock; realising their position, the islet being close to the coast, the spars were cut away, a line carried to shore, but as the tide lowered it was found easy to wade through the surf to the islet; at daylight, as much tonnage as could be carried was removed during low tide, this labour continuing till the tide became too high; at about half-past 3 p.m., this labour was again resumed; the crew now were making preparation to launch one of their boats, this was found impracticable on account of the rocky character of the shore. In the meantime two boats were brought, one from Shellharbour, the other from Kiama. In presence of a large number of spectators from both Kiama and Shellharbour sides of the Minnamurra, the boats were manned and started to the rescue; the Kiama boat was manned by Captain Smith, and picked men from the crews of the Dairy Maid, the Numba, and Aginoria, now lying in Shellharbour; the Shellharbour boat, manned by Captain Wilson, Mr. James King, and others, kept in the rear as a reserve in the case of an accident, a contingency which appeared by no means improbable, as the surf was very heavy, the breakers rolling heavily, and a strong current from the Minnamurra had to be contended with. The boats made the island in fine style; Captain Smith waded through the breakers, as the boat dare not venture too close to the rocky shore. The shipwrecked seamen did not see the boat put off to their rescue; they appear to have been busy on the ship, taking advantage of the low tide to pack up some of their things. Captain Smith scaled the rocks, ran over the east side of the islet, and shouted to the mariners below that help was at hand. Soon the crew were seen coming round the south side of the islet, a thing impracticable only at low tide; five of them embarked, and after a heavy pull they were brought to shore, about twenty willing hands rushing into the water to help the struggling boat as she neared the shore. Again the gallant boat’s crew put off, and by 5 o’clock the captain, with four seamen, were brought to shore, amid hearty cheers from both sides of the Minnamurra; thus all the crew were safe and sound, none having met with any injury, which is a matter of surprise, considering the knocking about they must have had. A fearful night they must have spent, and yet all looked like true British seamen - full of pluck. The captain and crew were escorted to Shellharbour, and by the hospitality of Mrs. Baxter, Messrs. Aitkin, W. and R. Wilson, and others, were made comfortable for the night, after partaking of the cup that cheers but not inebriates. The Rabgoon is so fixed between two rocks that it is probable that she may not break up for some weeks if the weather remains calm. She is the property of Messrs. Smith and Lindsay, of Sandridge; master, Captain Sayers; burden, 379 tons; was in ballast, and bound for Newcastle. She was lately repaired at a cost of L1300; whether insured at full value is not known. The crew are to be at the wreck to-morrow morning for the purpose of securing as much or all their property as they can. - Illawarra Mercury.”
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