Holyhead (1889-1890)

As the news of the disaster spread, huge crowds gathered at Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff to gaze at the ship with its sails flapping in the wind.

As one newspaper reported:"Its an illwind that blows nobody good, but yesterday blew good luck to the cabmen of Queenscliff.

They are reaping great benefit as half of Queenscliff appears to be on the rocks gazing at the wreck".

Of course shipwrecks in that area were not uncommon. Between 1841 and 1890, over 30 ships were believed wrecked in that area.

In 1883, that George Roper came to grief on Point Lonsdale Reef as it attempted to navigate the entrance to Port Phillip Bay. Nearby are the wrecks of the Ganeuse and the Gange.

The Holyhead was the pride and joy of its Liverpool owner. The fact that the ship was on its maiden voyage and so close to its final destination, made the wreck of the Holyhead an even greater tragedy.

Ships Construction

It was built under special survey at the renowned shipyard of R J. Evans and Co. and Lloyds ranked the Hoyhead in the highest class, 100A1.

It was a sturdy vessel constructed from iron. It had two decks, a bulkhead (a cemented partition in the hull to make it watertight), and a poop deck- a raised aft deck typical of large sailing ships.

The ship measured 294ft (89.6m) in length, 42ft (12.8m) in breadth and 24.5ft (6.25m) in depth. It had a gross tonnage of 2336 tons.

The Final Voyage of the Holyhead

A Large part of that cargo comprised iron railings for railway construction. Other cargo included slate, spirits, chemicals and crockery.

The ships maiden voyage was swift and uneventful and Cape Otway was sighted on the 11th February, 1890. The next day a squall blew up from the south-east and mist enveloped the sea.

The Holyhead signalled for a pilot for three hours but it was unable to attract the pilot schooners attention.

The first mate continued to sail nearer to the entrance although he was aware that the vessels compass readings were distorted by the iron hull; a common problem in early iron ships.

Because visibility was very limited and the compass was not accurate, it appeared that the Holyhead was still a considerable distance offshore.

The first mate had never sailed in Victorian waters and was unaware that the Point Lonsdale reef extended into the sea for 100 metres.

Meanwhile on shore, the Officer-in-Charge of the Signals Office had hoisted the danger signal but it was not seen by the crew of the Holyhead.

Suddenly the ships watch warned of "breakers ahead" the first mate tried to tack the vessel and take it out to deeper water but the wind was blowing violently and the ship was thrown onto Point Lonsdale Reef.

Despite dragging its anchors, the ship struck with a heavy thud. The wind was now gale force and torrential rain swept across the ship about seven feet of water had filled the main hold.

The pilot schooner Rip came alongside, and Pilots Press and Stalker came aboard. The Holyhead was bumping violently against the rocks and the pilots realized there was no hope of pulling the vessel off the reef.

At the same time , a lifeboat crew had left Queencliff and had to row against a strong tide to reach Point Lonsdale and the stricken ship.

The lifeboat had to make two trips in gale force winds to rescue the crew of 32 and land them on the beach at Point Lonsdale.As the seas abated, it appeared that the ship might remain on the reef.

Calmer weather made it easier for cargo to be unloaded. After two unsuccessful attempts to tow the Holyhead free, the ship was sold for salvaging.

In August, as salvage work was proceeding, a fierce storm blew up from the south sending fittings, planks, hatches, and other debris flying onto the beach at Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff. The ship eventually broke-up and sank.

Check this wreck on the Shipwreck Map

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