Harry Medcroft sat in his Customs’ office; it was late December 1859. The year was rapidly drawing to its final conclusion. The weather was hot and the day was fine and sunny. His mind drifted back over the events of the past year. One event was indelibly etched on his memory. It was the worst maritime disaster, to date, in the history of the Province of South Australia.
On Friday, 5-Aug-1859 the iron hulled, three masted, steam powered SS Admella left Port Adelaide bound for Melbourne in the Colony of Victoria. On board were 84 passengers and a crew of 29. Her cargo was a mixed bag: copper, general merchandise, flour and seven horses. Four of the horses were expensive race horses.
About 1:00 pm the ship was abreast of Kangaroo Island. A heavy swell threw a race horse, Jupiter, on to its back in his box. Captain McEwan ordered the helmsman to turn into the swell. He then ordered the engine room to reduce speed. It took about one hour to manoeuvre the horse back on its feet. The ship then returned to its normal course and steamed parallel to the shore; but further out to sea.
By midnight the ship had steamed another 75 miles. The weather turned foggy. Captain McEwan estimated they would be near Cape Northumberland before dawn. Believing the ship to be well out to sea, the captain steamed along at a normal cruising speed. However the heavy ocean swells were not conducive to a smooth ride.
In the dark just before 5:00 am the Admella struck a sunken reef with a gentle bump. The next heavy swell lifted the Admella up another 20 or 30 feet on to the rocks of the reef. The force of the huge wave pushed the Admella over on her side; with the starboard high out of the water. Captain McEwan shut down the engines.
For a few moments the only sound was the waves crashing on the rocks.
He ordered the lifeboats to be cleared for the evacuation of passengers and crew. Then the unthinkable happened; within 15 minutes the hull broke into three sections. First the funnel broke off and crashed down; damaging a lifeboat. The ship heeled further over. The fore section and the mid section were over deeper water. The aft section lay on the reef. The strain on the ships beams was too great and it broke up; snapping apart at the bulkheads.
Rigging, chains and blocks came crashing down sweeping some passengers and crew into the sea. At the same time all the horses were thrown into the sea. Most of the women and children were in the bow section. About 40 people were clinging to the aft section. The huge seas and chilly water compounded their problems. A few signal rockets were found and fired. They were damp and did not ignite properly. The crew were hoping to attract the attention of the lighthouse keepers at Cape Northumberland about 20 miles away, further south.
As the first twinges of daylight appeared in the sky, a deserted coastline was slowly revealed. Plans were made to try and reach shore. A steamer was seen in the distance. Signals were quickly run up on the mast and rigging. The ship’s bell was rung loudly. All to no avail; the vessel passed by. No one had seen the distress signals.
Two men who had been washed overboard were seen floating on timber trying to get to shore. They floated away from the wreck and the current carried them out to sea. An upturned lifeboat was seen floating near the wreck. A young Danish seaman volunteered to swim out to it and attach a rope to it. He managed to reach the lifeboat. However the line he attached soon broke. He spent the day clinging to the boat; but he was swept off in the raging seas and drowned. The 2nd Mate then volunteered to try and swim to shore; but he disappeared in the raging seas.
A search for food revealed a negligible amount of food. No drinking water was found. Captain McEwan doled out the meagre findings. The daylight hours disappeared into inky blackness. During the night another ship passed by. They could hear the steady thrum of its engines. Their frantic cries for help went unanswered. They had no form of lighting to show their position.
Daylight on the second day, Sunday, revealed cold and drenched survivors. They had passed a miserable night together. After consultation a decision was made to build a raft. Meanwhile a rope was finally attached between the bow section and the aft section. Fifteen men made the dangerous crossing over the rope to the more secure aft section. Regrettably, three men and two children slipped off the rope into the sea when they attempted to cross.
None of the women were brave enough to try crossing to the aft section. They elected to stay put with their children on the bow section. Some of the men on the bow section volunteered to stay with the women and children.
Several hours later more tragedy! The bow section broke up in the huge seas. All the people on the bow section perished in the raging waters. Stunned by the magnitude of their loss; the survivors on the aft section watched in abject horror at the sight!
Captain McEwan forced himself to get on with the job at hand. He ordered his men to begin making a raft. The only tool available was a meat chopper. Some of the booms and part of the mast were cut up and lashed together with rope. A long rope was then attached to the raft. Seaman Leach and Seaman Knapman were chosen to make the attempt to reach shore. Seaman Knapman was put in charge.
Captain McEwan spoke to them, “If you reach shore go to Cape Northumberland lighthouse and raise the alarm. God speed lads!”
The raft was launched with the two men clinging precariously to it. It took about three hours for them to steer the raft to shore through the huge breakers. As the raft grounded they quickly dived into the surf. Clinging to the sandy bottom, hanging on grimly between breakers they were slowly carried on to the sandy beach. It was now about 5:00 pm.
They lay on the beach gasping for breath. When they were sufficiently recovered they signalled to the survivors on the wreck; then set out in a southerly direction for Cape Northumberland lighthouse. All night they struggled over sand dunes and through numerous swamps. Being winter the swamps were full of water. Cold, wet and exhausted they reached the lighthouse on Monday morning.
Head keeper Germein listened to their tragic story. His lighthouse did not have the new telegraph system connected to it; the nearest telegraph station was at Mount Gambier. Mr Germein sprang into action; he walked briskly to a nearby farm to borrow a horse, his own horse had died a few days before. He quickly saddled up the borrowed horse and rode away. Unfortunately for Germein the borrowed horse threw him and took off. A local station owner, John Black when informed of the situation completed the ride to Mount Gambier.
Messages were telegraphed to Robe, Adelaide, Portland and Melbourne. News of the tragedy spread like wildfire. At Robe Town a messenger hurried to Harry Medcroft.
“Mr Medcroft, come quickly, a ship has been wrecked on a reef about 20 miles from Cape Northumberland lighthouse. Mount Gambier telegraph station just sent the message.”
Harry ran to the telegraph station. He quickly perused the messages waiting for him. The SS Admella had broken up on a reef near Cape Northumberland. Many souls had perished but survivors were still on the wreck. He telegraphed messages to Adelaide, and Portland in the Colony of Victoria. The nearest lifeboat to the wreck was in Portland. The foul weather and mountainous seas would make rescue difficult.
He sent for George Ormiston; George came quickly. George and his rescue boat crew would have to take a boat overland by dray to the wreck site. The seas were too rough to sail to the wreck. Gerry Baker a local bullocky had just finished unloading his cargo at the Royal Circus roundabout. He offered to take George’s boat on his dray. George Ormiston and his crew saddled their horses and the rescue party was soon on its way.
News spread quickly around Robe Town. Concerned citizens congregated outside the telegraph station for updates on the tragedy. Harry’s orders from Adelaide were to take charge of all the shore based rescue operations. He was to liaise with Inspector Scott from Mount Gambier police district. Harry was pleased for Inspector Scott was an old friend from Harry’s mounted trooper days.
Captain Blakely would coordinate all the information sent to Robe telegraph station regarding the Admella situation. He would then decide which information to act on.
News was telegraphed from Ade
laide that the steamer SS Corio would be sent to the wreck. The Adelaide pilot boat was on board to assist in the rescue. Portland also telegraphed a message that the steamer SS Ladybird would be sent; towing the Portland lifeboat and a small whale boat.
On Tuesday night Harry put some provisions together, went to the livery stables, saddled his horse and galloped away. The weather was atrocious.
Meanwhile, during the day on Tuesday 9-Aug-1859, men and women began to gather on the beach opposite the wrecked Admella; which was about one mile out to sea. They found lots of wreckage, a dead horse, a damaged lifeboat and three horses grazing nearby. They set about repairing the lifeboat.
On board the wreck the huge seas had gutted all the cabins and places of refuge. The survivors were forced to climb into the rigging or cling somehow to the hull. Some people, so exhausted from their ordeal simply slipped off the wreck into the sea and drowned. Others desperate in their thirst began to drink sea water which only hastened their deaths.
Lighthouse keeper Germein arrived overland with his small whale boat loaded on a dray and accompanied by his crew. Seamen Leach and Knapman also returned with them. The huge seas were too rough to attempt any rescue. At night they lit three huge bonfires on the sand dunes; so the survivors could see they were not forgotten.
Harry Medcroft caught up with George Ormiston and his crew escorting Gerry Baker and his dray. Gerry was forcing his bullocks along at a quick pace. The load on his dray was light and he was making good time. Harry told George the news about the SS Corio and the SS Ladybird; then continued his slow gallop to the wreck site.
Early on Thursday, 11-Aug-1859 lighthouse keeper Germein desperate to do something launched his boat in the boiling surf. The breakers however capsized and swamped the boat. One of the crew had his leg terribly lacerated on rocks. They were all fortunate not to drown. Later the SS Corio steamed into view, but could not get close to the Admella. Huge seas whipped up by severe storms made recue impossible. The seas would have to calm down. A fishing boat from Robe also arrived; but the two fishermen were powerless to help.
The SS Corio moved closer to the wreck and launched the Adelaide pilot boat with a crew of seven. They battled the seas for an hour or so; but were unable to get near the Admella. They were forced to land on the beach; much to the dismay of the survivors. The disappointed survivors on the wreck set about building another raft. However, when it was launched the seas took it and it drifted away.
Harry Medcroft arrived in the early afternoon and was brought up to date on the situation. A lot of people were on the beach ready and willing to help. Unfortunately the rough seas were preventing them. There were two lines of reefs between the shore and the Admella.
Huge breakers were crashing on to the reefs before making their way to the beach. Another attempt was made from the beach to launch the pilot boat and the small whale boat. Both boats were capsized in the breakers and swamped. Another dismal failed attempt! Rescue at this point of time would have to be from the open sea.
Harry kept getting messages from Adelaide asking why nobody had been rescued. Hundreds were gathered at the Adelaide telegraph office. Both Houses of Parliament had been adjourned due to the crisis with the Admella. The people of Adelaide could not understand why the rescuers did not have a plan to get to the wrecked vessel. Messengers on horseback were constantly going to and fro from the Mount Gambier telegraph station.
Thursday night about midnight Inspector Scott arrived with troopers Dann and Young; along with special magistrate Lyon. Next day Inspector Scott and his troopers were kept busy with looters attempting to plunder the wreckage.
More people were arriving daily at the isolated beach. Regrettably, some were there for their own gain. It was rumoured that one of the passengers was supposed to have 700 sovereigns on his person. The messages from Adelaide were getting more frantic as the Government sought to get some good news for the populace. Why couldn’t they rescue the survivors?
Friday, 12-Aug-1859, it was one week since the Admella had departed from Adelaide. The survivors had been on the wreck since Saturday morning; without drinking water and their food had run out days ago. They had to contend with thirst, hunger and the terrible conditions on the wreck. Raging seas continued to pound the hull. Driving rain and howling winds whipped up the huge waves. It was a wonder that anyone on board was alive.
The SS Corio was running low on coal and her captain decided to return to Robe to refuel. As she steamed away the steamer SS Ladybird could be seen on the horizon; towing the Portland lifeboat and a whale boat. George Ormiston’s vessel the SS Ant also arrived to assist.
About 9:00 am on Friday, 13-Aug-1859 the Portland lifeboat left the Ladybird and approached the wreck from the western or weather side. From a short distance away they fired two rockets with lifelines attached. Both attempts failed. They pulled in closer and tried unsuccessfully to throw a line over the wreck. Then huge waves swept over the boat breaking oars and the rudder. The despondent crew exhausted and glad to be alive, somehow managed to get the lifeboat back to the Ladybird.
As the lifeboat withdrew from the Admella wreck a great scream of despair could be heard from the survivors! They feared their last hope had disappeared! The lifeboat’s damaged oars were replaced and the rudder repaired; but the seas were too high for a further attempt. Another frustrating day was passed waiting for the seas to abate.
Saturday, 13-Aug-1859 saw a glimmer of hope. The seas were calmer. The SS Ladybird had moved away from the wreck for safety during the night. Mr Germein had done temporary repairs to the Admella lifeboat. Harry consulted with Germein; they decided to attempt a rescue. The Adelaide pilot boat and the Admella lifeboat were readied. Germein would captain the Admella’s lifeboat.
Harry said, “If I spot the Portland lifeboat I will signal you so you can return to shore.”
Germein’s boat managed to cross both reefs and drew close to the Admella. One huge wave took the boat clean over the ship’s boiler; but the next wave brought it back. Germein’s crew was successful in attaching a line to the wreck. Some survivors, four men including Captain McEwan managed to haul themselves into the boat. Three survivors were transferred to the pilot boat, which had been unable to get past the second reef. The other survivor was too weak to be transferred to the pilot boat. Meanwhile the SS Ladybird came into view. Harry signalled both boats to return; which they did.
The Adelaide pilot boat capsized in the surf; but all on board, including the 3 survivors, struggled to the beach. Helping hands hauled them to safety. Germein’s lifeboat also capsized in the surf. Unfortunately the remaining survivor from Germein’s lifeboat was too exhausted to make it to the beach and drowned a few yards from salvation. Germein’s crew made it safely to the beach and were helped ashore.
The Portland lifeboat, the whale boat and a boat from the SS Ant floated near the wreck. The bow man in the Portland lifeboat heaved a line over the wreck. When it was secured 18 men and 1 woman quickly made the dangerous trip down the line to the lifeboat. The lifeboat then returned to the SS Ladybird; and about 10:00 a.m. the 19 survivors were taken on board. The Ladybird exchanged signals with those on the shore and steamed back to Portland.
A huge sense of relief was felt by all on the shore. Inspector Scott sent Trooper Dann hurriedly to Mount Gambier with the news. The recue was over but there was a lot of work still to be done. The people who were gathered on the beach watched the SS Ladybird steam away. Their attention was now focussed on the 3 survivors brought to shore from the Admella wreck.
There had been eight terrible days and nights of indescribable ordeal for the survivors before 22 people were saved from the Admella. Along with seamen Leach and Knapman only 24 souls survived the shipwreck. A total of 89 people perished.
A Gypsy tent was rigged up for the 3 survivors on shore. Dr Wehl from Mount Gambier was on site to attend to them. Their feet were enormously swollen and black. Their toes were more like indentations in the blackened mass. All day Saturday the
y cared for the three men who were in a terribly debilitated condition.
About midday the SS Corio returned; however the seas were up again. There would be grave risks involved in getting the Adelaide pilot boat back to the Corio. A decision was made to wait until later in the day to see if the seas calmed down again. However the SS Corio signalled to shore to bring the pilot boat now or give up any attempt. The seas were much too boisterous and the pilot boat had to get over the two reefs. It could not be done without risk of damage to the boat and possible loss of life. A signal was sent to the Corio to proceed without the Adelaide lifeboat. An acknowledgement was sent by the Corio and she steamed away.
George Ormiston promised Harry he would keep the SS Ant at Port Robe until Wednesday, 17-Aug-1859. Harry would have to get the pilot boat overland by dray to Port Robe by that date. Harry agreed to the offer. A further problem arose with the pilot boat crew; they had no shoes on their feet and hardly any clothing on their backs. Harry could not obtain these things from Mount Gambier in time.
He wrote a letter to Geo. Glenn Esquire in Mount Gambier asking him to supply the necessary items. He then hired a horse and cart to transport the crew to Mount Gambier. They left on Saturday afternoon for Mount Gambier.
Harry had not had any sleep for three nights. Harry and Inspector Scott had to watch over the survivors during the night and attend to their feet. When he was not on watch Harry was able to sleep for some of the night.
Inspector Scott woke him on Sunday morning for the morning watch. Harry woke their patients and gave them their medicine. Then he carefully anointed their feet with ointment. He sat at the tent opening and tried to keep awake. Hooking his arm around the tent pole, his body relaxed. He began to drift in and out of wakefulness. Suddenly horrendous shrieks filled the air! Harry sat bolt upright! Captain McEwan in his delirium was remembering the terrible scenes of the shipwreck.
He cried out, “Oh! The poor women and children. Oh! My God save them, look, look!”
Harry’s hair was standing on end! He was wide awake! ‘Poor Captain McEwan what a terrible sight to relive.’
One of the lifeboat captains describing some of those who died said, they were “...more like statues than human beings, their eyes fixed, their lips black, for want of water, and their limbs bleached white and swollen through exposure to the relentless surf...”
George Ormiston meanwhile made arrangements to get his boat and crew back to Port Robe. Inspector Scott and Harry then organised horses and carts to transport the three survivors to Mr Livingstone’s farm about 12 miles away. Mr Livingstone had been most generous in supplying food, men and whatever was deemed necessary during the rescue operation. The survivors were assured of a comfortable bed to recuperate in.
Germein and Harry collected oars and equipment belonging to Germein’s lighthouse boat and the Adelaide pilot boat; then secured them for the journeys to their respective destinations. The Admella lifeboat was left on the beach. When all was ready they set off. Harry and Inspector Scott accompanied the survivors to Livingstone’s sheep station.
Germein set out to return to his lighthouse at Cape Northumberland. Inspector Scott left two of his mounted troopers at the beach. Their assignments were, (a) to patrol the shoreline morning and late afternoon, (b) to keep an eye out for any bodies washed ashore, (c) any property washed ashore was to be noted and an inventory kept, (d) arrest any looters found plundering goods from the wrecked Admella.
In both Colonies crowds of people were eagerly waiting at the various telegraph offices for news of the survivors. A huge sensation of relief was felt by the whole country when news came through that the survivors were safe and doing well. Newspapers had to print extra editions as normal editions sold out immediately. The extra editions sold out just as quickly. Relief monies flowed into Adelaide, Portland and Melbourne. Committees were set up to handle these funds.
Harry left Livingstone’s station on Monday, 15-Aug-1859 and proceeded to Mount Gambier telegraph station to obtain instructions regarding the transfer of the Adelaide pilot boat from Port Robe to Port Adelaide. Instructions came through to put the pilot boat on the next steamer bound for Adelaide. Harry then left Mount Gambier and commenced his journey to Port Robe.
Inspector Scott also left Livingstone’s on Monday and went to Mount Gambier. He left the Mount on Tuesday, 16-Aug-1859 as went as far as Glencoe that day; reaching Penola the following day. He immediately set about filing a report to the Police Commissioner in Adelaide; just in time to catch the mails before they closed that day.
Saturday, 20-Aug-1859 Harry Medcroft drafted an interim report to his superiors in Adelaide. He despatched the report on a steamer bound for Adelaide and then made arrangements to go himself to Adelaide on Monday, 21-Aug-1859. By now the atrocious weather conditions had passed. Harry was pleased to spend a little time with Amanda and the children.
Amanda was expecting their fourth child towards the end of October. She was glad Harry was home safe and sound. What a horrendous time it had been for Harry and the others.
Harry left on Monday on a coastal steamer to report to Trinity House in Adelaide. His interim report had been avidly read as to why the rescue took so long. Harry gave his superiors a further detailed verbal report. The Governor of South Australia, Sir Richard McDonnell also summoned Harry for a briefing on Harry’s actions and findings in the matter. An investigation was begun by Trinity House into the disaster. A Coronial inquest was also set up.
Harry stayed in Adelaide until the end of the week then returned to Port Robe on a coastal steamer. He still had work to do at the wreck site. Arrangements for an auction for the sale of salvaged goods from the wreck needed to be made. Late in August Harry arranged for an auction on the beach for goods washed ashore from the Admella.
One week later the cargo and remains of the Admella were sold for £850. The cargo of copper was quite valuable; if it could be safely recovered.
The initial findings of Trinity House were tabled in the South Australian Parliament. This plus the ongoing coronial inquest led to the setting up of a Royal Commission into the disaster.
The crews of the rescue vessels were treated as heroes. The SS Ladybird crew was especially feted and honoured. The committees in Adelaide, Portland and Melbourne made their decisions as to how the relief monies were to be spent. In Adelaide the decision was made to spend the money on monetary rewards. In Portland the monies received were used to pay for such things as doctors’ bills, lodging, clothing and other items necessary for the welfare of the 19 survivors at Portland. In Melbourne the monies received were mainly used to strike medals for the rescue crews.
Harry and Inspector Scott in their respective reports mentioned the settlers who had helped in the Admella rescue.
Inspector Scott’s report stated, “...The settlers in the immediate neighbourhood of the wreck are deserving of the highest commendation, especially Mr Livingstone, who supplied men as guides, horses to carry messengers and provisions for those working at the wreck...”
Harry noted in his report, “...You will, I am sure, be gratified to hear that everyone in the neighbourhood of Mount Gambier afforded all the assistance in their power. Nothing was wanted that kindness or humanity could suggest, both in providing for the wants of those at the wreck or in anticipation of recovering the shipwrecked.
It will afford me great pleasure to see some public acknowledgement made to Mr Livingstone and other settlers who provided relays of horses and guides for messengers sent with telegrams to Mount Gambier, a distance of 30 miles from the scene of the disaster...”
The disaster left a lasting impression on the populations in South Australia and Victoria. It was an unprecedented act of co-operation between them; which led to closer cross border ties.
Harry’s reverie was interrupted by his colleague, Owen Morrison with news of another tall ship arriving in Guichen Bay. His thoughts returned to the present matter on hand. He and Owen walked down to the jetties. It was business as usual.