Herald of the Morning

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History
Canada
NameHerald of the Morning
OwnerGeorge King and John Storm [1] James Thompson [2]
BuilderStorm and King, Saint John, New Brunswick
Launched1854 [3]
Out of service1859
Fate
  • Burned 15 November 1859
  • Hulk scuttled ca. 1889
General characteristics
Class & typeAl
Tons burthen1292 tons OM, 1108 tons NM
Length195.3 Feet
Beam35.3 Feet
Draught22.0 Feet
PropulsionSail
Sail planShip, square rig

Herald of the Morning was a three-masted square-rigged sailing ship, built in 1853 or 1854 at Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, expressly for the Australia run. A contemporary Melbourne press article described her as "a fine ship of 1292 tons register.[ citation needed ]

Contents

Wright claims she was built in 1853, but not registered until 1854, [4] but some sources cite 1855 [5] Port number 27, The ship was also owned by George King and John Storm. [6] James Thompson [7]

Voyages

Fire and wreck

In 1859, at the end of her second voyage to Australia, carrying 419 government immigrants, Herald of the Morning was anchored in Hobsons Bay when, at about 12:45 pm on 15 November, the captain awoke to someone yelling "fire!" The fire quickly spread through the entire vessel. Attempts were made to scuttle the ship by cutting holes in her side near the waterline, but she became lighter as she burnt and the scuttling holes rose above the water level. An effort was made to move the ship by slipping the anchor chains, but the heat drove the crew back. Finally, the vessel was cut through from the outside and towed ashore at Sandridge, (now Port Melbourne) by two tugs, Lioness and Sophia, where it was left to burn. [11]

The tugs Sophia and Hercules later towed the ship to the beach between Sandridge and Williamstown where she continued to smoulder (UID 152). In about 1889, the hulk was eventually removed and sunk at the end of Donaldsons jetty. [12]

The wreck was advertised for sale on 28 November 1859. [13] Included in the cargo was iron work intended for the Hawthorn Bridge and, while that was recovered, the fire had damaged it. It was subsequently salvaged and partly sold at auction eventually becoming the trusses for the Mia Mia Bridge at Redesdale.

The hulk appears to have remained sitting on the beach for many years until the Melbourne Harbour Trust Commissioners adopted the following recommendations of its Finance Committee:

Your Committee recommend that Messrs. H. B. Donaldson and Co. be called upon as provided by Section 76 of the Act to remove their sunken hulk in Hobson's Bay at Sandridge within a reasonable time (to be named in the notice), and should they fail to remove the said hulk within such time, that she be removed by the Trust as provided by the said Section. Your Committee further recommend that the firm named and Messrs. Stewart, White and Co. be called upon to attorn tenants to the trust under conditions to be submitted by this Committee to the Commissioners and approved by them. [14]

References

  1. ↑ National Archives of Canada, RG 12,
  2. ↑ This was a group including Bartholomew French, John Linn, David Fernie and Andrew Gibson, Victorian Heritage Database citing Wright 1974, 112
  3. ↑ The National Archives of Canada ships register
  4. ↑ Victorian Heritage Database citing Wright 1974, 112
  5. ↑ Peter Taylor, 1999: Maritime Archaeology Association Of Victoria, Inc
  6. ↑ National Archives of Canada, RG 12,
  7. ↑ This was a group including Bartholomew French, John Linn, David Fernie and Andrew Gibson, Victorian Heritage Database citing Wright 1974, 112
  8. ↑ "SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE". The Argus . Melbourne: Trove. 20 December 1854. p. 4. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
  9. ↑ Peter Taylor, 1999: Maritime Archaeology Association Of Victoria, Inc
  10. ↑ "CLEARANCES.—AUGUST 9". Empire. Sydney. 10 August 1858. p. 2. Retrieved 2 August 2012– via National Library of Australia.
  11. ↑ "State Records Authority of New South Wales: Shipping Master's Office; Passengers Arriving 1855 - 1922; NRS13278, 9X98-1000 reel 406, Transcribed by Gloria Sheehan, 2005". Archived from the original on 5 May 2012. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  12. ↑ Heritage Victoria Shipwrecks Register UID 9
  13. ↑ "Sales by Auction". The Argus. 24 November 1859. p. 2. Retrieved 1 September 2025– via Trove.
  14. ↑ General Report for the year from the Nautical Branch, prepared by the Harbour Master, Melbourne Harbour Trust Annual Report, 7 September 1881.
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