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LOSS OF THE BRIG “MARIA”

By:- Fitzroy

THE WRECK

When the writer came to Australia in 1863, he heard frequent references to the awful wreck of the British ship Duncan Dunbar, who emigrate from Greek Britain, in 1858. In stormy weather the captain was supposed to have mistaken South Head, Sydney, for the North head, and so during the night the doomed vessel crashed into the rocks at The Gap Island instead of entering the Sydney Harbour. All hands were drowned with the exception of one man, named Jonathon, who was miraculously saved by a huge wave carrying him up the face of the perpendicular rocks and leaving him on a lodge. No other wave subsequently rose so high, or he would have been washed off again. In the morning people were early looking for the expected vessel, and some one spied the man some 220 ft below. His position was perilous in the extreme. But brave men obtained the necessary ropes, and one with a stout heart and cool head was let down to the unfortunate man, who was then tied to the rope, hauled up the face of the rocks, and his life saved. Surely a miracle if ever there was one! Jonathon was subsequently employed in the customs and was sent to Rockhampton soon after. This appalling wreck was remembered in Sydney – and Australia for that matter – for many decades.

Subsequent wrecks occurring on the eastern coast of Australia, the one that caused the greatest concern in Queensland was in 1860 when the steamer Cawarra left Sydney for Brisbane with a lot of passengers and was never heard of again. Apparently also foundered at sea, during a hurricane that occurred soon after leaving her port, and not a soul was saved. Along those drowned was Mr. A. G. Machefer, cordial manufacturer, of Rockhampton who after a trip to Sydney, was hastening home to his wife and family.

Another steamer that used to trade to Rockhampton was the Australian Star, and she, too, about that time was lost at sea and no tidings obtained of her.

A wreck that caused great consternation in Australia was that of the brig Maria, crowded with young adventurers bound for New Guinea, in those days (1872) supposed to be the land of gold and promise. This terrible disaster the writer proposes to re-tell for contains features absorbing interest, wonderful escapes, and almost unspeakable hardships. It was a terrible adventure, for out of a crew and passenger list of over seventy, thirty five or thirty six were either drowned or murdered by the blacks.

THE LATE MR. TOM INGHAM

Among the adventurers on the Maria was Mr. Thomas Ingham, so long and favourably known in Rockhampton and Brisbane, as a prominent chemist and also in connection with the distillation of eucalyptus spirit. Mr. Ingham was one of those who was almost miraculously saved, and after sufferings and hardships enough to break down the strongest man, lived to apparently recover his health. It is largely his story that is to be told, at least of happenings after the Maria was wrecked and till the rescued men were got safely back to civilisation.

Mr. Ingham was visited at his home on the Range, over twenty years ago and while he poured out his story in the most dramatic manner to the writer. It was being taken down in shorthand at a side table. He went all through the corridors again, and at times he was worked up to a great state of excitement. Evidently the whole dreadful story was indelibly imprinted on his brain.

It will be easily understood that every member of that passenger list and crew who was saved had his own separate narrative to tell, and in his own way. The omission of incidents that occurred to others in no way impugns the strict accuracy of Mr. Ingham’s tale. Mr. Thomas Tate, of West Rockhampton is one of the few living who undertook that memorable voyage.

PREPARATIONS FOR THE VOYAGE

In order to fully realise the feelings that existed throughout Australia about New Guinea in 1871, it must be remember that for twenty years goldfields, some of them fabulously rich, had been opening up in Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. Most of these fields possessed alluvial gold, which in some cases could be obtained without a great deal of technical experience and quickly. That was always the incentive – to get rich quickly.

Practically all who had ever visited the southern coast of New Guinea had given glowing word pictures of the wonderful rivers, fertile lands, and magnificent and valuable timber to be found wherever they had been. Gold had been found among the sands of the Fly River though only in tine particles which inflamed the minds of the imaginative till they were certain the heavy gold would quickly be found in the highlands and mountains. Further, eminent geologist had declared that New Guinea was a likely place for gold in great quantities to be found – and quite possibly he may have been correct though all that has been found hitherto scarcely supports that idea.

With all these extravagant ideas about the then but little known New Guinea, an association was formed in Sydney in 1871 named the new Guinea Prospecting Association consisting of about seventy persons all young and eager for adventures. This association proposed to buy a suitable vessel, proceed to New Guinea, form a settlement near the coast and give the rivers and creaks in the highlands a thorough prospecting.

Having arrived at what should be done these members were eager to lose no time in getting away. Most of the members had at least some capital and many of them had a fair knowledge of mining. The outlook was bright and so eager were the associated adventurers to make a start that too little attention was given to the vessel they purchased and its officers and crew.

The result was that the party purchased the small brig “Maria” of 167 tons. She had been built in America some time in the dim past and had been engaged in the coal trade from New castle to Sydney. She was certainly very old and not suited for such an expedition as she was purchased for. However, everyone was eager to be away and all haste was made in preparing the Maria for sea.

START FOR EL DORADO

These sanguine voyagers, who saw nothing, but speedy fortune and grand adventures before them, rushed things along and on Thursday, January 25, 1872 the Maria sailed from Sydney Harbour on what was destined to be her last voyage.

To those on board the distance to New Guinea seemed so short that there was not a doubt but a week or two would see them all safe ashore at New Guinea, the El Dorado they were so eager to reach. Among those on board were a good many well connected including W. T. Foster, a son of the then Agent General for New South Wales, also a son of Mr. Justice Hargrave, and others. It is easy to understand that this expedition had caused more than a little excitement in Sydney and probably owing to the extravagant talk of some of them forming the party the Government got the idea that it was intended to be a sort of filibustering expedition. Therefore before the Maria was allowed her clearance the authorities exacted an assurance from some of the leaders of the party that there was no intention whatever to do anything not recognised by the law. The authorities were further told that the intention was to prospect New Guinea for gold and to open up a legitimate trade in other ways.

In spite of these assurance the Government asked Captain Moresby of H.M.S. Basilisk, which was under orders for New Guinea to keep an eye on the movement of the Maria and her well-armed passengers. This was not known to the adventurers till later.

The Maria sailed for the Fly River which up to that period was one of the best known parts of New Guinea. No sooner was the Maria clears of the Sydney Heads than it was found she leaked very freely. This did not deter the voyagers in the slightest as those on board willingly took a hand of the pumps and the vessel was pumped out every day.

Then followed a period of daily expectation, not unmixed with anxiety, for the Maria did not make the progress expected. On February 14 the captain hinted they had reached Torres Straits and expected they would sight the coast of New Guinea next day. Some of the men fancied they could see the islands off the coast.

CAUGHT IN A MONSOON

Whether this was the case or not cannot be said for certain but anyway they were not to see New Guinea. During the day the Maria was caught in a north-north-west monsoon, and one of her yards snapped out and fell among crowd of men on the deck. Wonderfully they all escaped injury. The wind blew with great force, and the Maria rolled and strained to a dreadful way.

This pitching and rolling caused the deck timbers to open and the water which rushed on board poured through the cracks like a sieve. There was great consternation and the pumps had to be manned and kept constantly going. The sea continued to dash over the unfortunate vessel and everything moveable on deck was carried away. As night approached the Maria seemed helpless the captain was asked what he intended to do to which he replied “Run before the wind” This he continued to do and for two days the pumps were kept constantly going, the gale meanwhile become worse.

By February 17, the situation was so dreadful that most of these hopeful voyagers would have been glad to be put ashore anywhere. They evidently pestered the captain (a German named Stratman) as to their whereabout for he told them he would try to get under the lee of the Ned Hebrides, Solomon Islands, or New Caledonia.

Hinchinbrook Island

The gale continued but on February 25 it moderated a little and the Barrier Reef could be seen. The captain said he thought he could make Cleveland Bay as he knew several passages through the reef.

A man was sent to the masthead to keep a look out and every now and then he would shout “Breakers on the port bow” “breakers on the starboard bow,” as the case might be. The derided Maria was dodging about in great style to avoid these obstacles, and wonder is that she missed so many of them.

But the end was near, for about two o’clock in the morning of February 26, the look out man shouted. “Reef close under the lee bow!”

WRECKED ON BRAMBLE REEF

The warning came too late for almost immediately the Maria struck the reef heavily. At first there was a kind of jerk, then a grating sound, followed by a loud crush from below and there was the buffeted Maria hard and fast on the Bramble Reef.

Tom Ingham was one of the men at the pumps at the time, most the others being below. They rushed on deck, however, and reported that the bottom of the vessel had bulged right in, and the reef was showing through the bottom.

There was great consternation and confusion, for everyone recognised the Maria would never float again and how they were to get ashore was the problem.

In the midst of this perplexing trouble the captain said he wanted six good oarsmen, as he would go to Cleveland Bay for assistance. He said Cleveland Bay was only a few miles away. He quickly got six volunteers, and getting the best boat afloat the gallant men headed the boat for the mainland.

Soon after the mate, Sonmichson came on deck, and said, “Where is the Captain.” He was told he had taken a boat and gone to Cleveland Bay to get help.

“Cleveland Bay be hanged,” said Sonmichson, “he has deserted us,” No one, till this expression of opinion had doubted that the captain had acted in the best interests of the unfortunate people left at the mercy of the waves.

The mate in a fit of and rage ran below and got a rifle and, returning to the deck, fired several shots after the disappearing boat. However, a boat disappearing on the waves was a poor mark, particularly at a distance, and apparently no one was hurt.

EFFORTS TO GET ASTTORE

Fortunately though the captain had gone, there were men on board of both courage and resource, and in times of danger such men always come to the front. It was pretty evident the Maria might break up at any time, and all attention was quickly given to what means there were for getting ashore, which all knew was not very distant through it could not be seen from the dark.

There were still two small boats left; but they had been so knocked about in the storm that both leaked. They were got into the water and some men jumped into them. The boats would only hold about a score, and so it was resolved to build a raft. This was accordingly done. Two booms were obtained and two companion ladders fixed to them crosswise. Then hardwood planks were placed across, till a raft about 10 ft. square and 3 ft in depth was completed. Some parts were fastened with nails and some with ropes, and when the job was finished the raft was thrown overboard and made fast to the wrecked ship by a rope.

Still more rafts were needed, and a second one was immediately started. This time it was decided to build of lighter material than the first one, and pine only was used - forms, timber from the bunks, and so on, being availed of. This raft was about 8.ft square and about 3 ft. deep. It was also got afloat and such articles as were available were got on board.

There was no intention of leaving the wreck till they were compelled, but the adventurers had wisely made all the preparations they could. There were some men who had confidence in the captain and thought he might return from Townsville with assistance at any time.

Just as the second raft was finished the day broke, and the voyagers could the more fully recognise the desperate position they were in. Still great confusion prevailed. Some men were working others praying and some were drinking spirit. It was recognised that the worst was sure to follow, and Tom Ingham and his mates decided it would be wise to get on one of the rafts as in case of the sudden breaking up of the Maria, there was sure to be a rush for the two little boats. Suddenly it was seen that the two boats were afloat, two men in one and four in the other. Forester and Coyle, who were two strong big men, and remarkably cool, were looked on as leaders. All hands got something to take away. Tom Ingham got a couple of woollen guernseys. One of Ingham’s mates, Tom Hartley, went below to get something and as he disappeared the Maria began to sink.

The prevailing confusion became greater, and men were rushing for the rafts. Ingham’s friends had got on the smaller raft. The rafts were moving off, and they could only be reached by swimming. Ingham was unable to swim a stroke and there was the raft apparently moving off, and Maria sinking beneath his feet. Ingham’s mates yelled, “come on, Tom!” Ingham taking in the desperate situation made a tremendous dive from the disappearing side of the Maria. The force of the dive carried him near enough of the raft for someone to grab him, when rose to the surface, and he was hauled onboard. The next fear was that the raft would be sucked down with the disappearing vessel, but, fortunately, someone had a tomahawk, and he cut the straining rope and the raft floated off. Ingham took one glance back only to see. Tom Hartley coming out of the companion, when the heavy inflow of water forced him back, and the unfortunate man went down with the ill fated Maria, which suddenly slipped into deep water, no part of her remaining out of the water, but one yard. With the shrieks of the drowning in their ears and ghastly remembrance of what had happened, the raft floated off whither the current took them – to north west. Tough hardly so desperate as the ship wreck described by Byron, his immortal words not inaptly described the scene – “There rose from sea to sky the wild farewell; then shook the timid and stood still the brave; and some leapt overboard with dreadful yell, as though eager to anticipate their grave.”

PART 2 || PART 3 || PART 4

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