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The following report is transcribed from The Argus, 28th November 1859 :
“FOUNDERING OF THE BRIG ROSCOE, OFF KIAMA. - The Sydney Morning Herald of the 21st instant announces the loss of the Roscoe, Captain Cameron, which vessel left Newcastle on the 16th instant with 240 tons of coal for this port. From the time she out to sea the pumps were compelled to be kept going; and when off Wollongong at noon on Thursday week, the water suddenly began to gain on them, compelling the crew, consisting of the master and nine men, to take to the boat. They were hardly clear of her when she went down, her stern being blown out. The boat made for the shore, and arrived at Kiama at 5 p.m. the same day, but a heavy surf being on the beach the boat was capsized, and part of the crew’s clothing was lost. The Roscoe is supposed to be insured in Melbourne, the cargo and freight being insured in the New South Wales office for L400. She was the property of Messrs. Bingle and Son. The same journal of the following day gives some additional particulars : - Captain Cameron states that he left Newcastle upon Wednesday morning last, with fine weather, having 240 tons of coals on board. At starting, wind about S.E., which before night hauled round and blew fresh from the N.E., a southerly swell coming up on her port bow. Up to Thursday morning she had made no water of consequence, the pumps having been served, as usual, every two hours from starting. Captain Cameron thinks that upon Thursday morning she must have started one of her butts in the fore part, from her scudding into the head sea, as the morning watch could not suck her. he then called all hands to the pumps, putting her head to shore, and continued with difficulty to keep her free till nearly noon, when the water commenced to gain upon them fast, and as she was evidently settling down, the starboard gangway was cleared away, and the boat launched. A little provision being thrown in, all hand got into her and shoved off, scarcely five minutes elapsing before the brig sank, nearly abreast of Kiama, and distant upwards of 20 miles from the shore, the boat reaching the beach, near to Jerringong [Gerringong], at 4.30 p.m., a heavy surf rolling; and in attempting to land the boat capsized, and the men got ashore with the greatest difficulty, losing everything but the clothes upon their backs. Ashore the greatest kindness was shown them by the people, with whom they stayed that night, and next morning proceeded to Kiama, and came from there to Sydney, on Friday night, by the steamer Mimosa.”
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