View source for Tuncurry (1903)

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Use Australian English|date=April 2018}}
{{Over-quotation|date=December 2011}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image               = Tuncurry (ship).jpg
| Ship caption             = The ''Tuncurry'' in Sydney Harbour
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header              = 
| Ship name                =*''Tuncurry'' (1903–1909)
*''Tokelau'' (1909–1916)
*''Tuncurry'' (1916)
| Ship owner               =*Allen Taylor and Co (1903–1909)
*High Commissioner British Western Pacific Territories (1909–1916)
*Arthur S. Hasell & Co (1916)
| Ship operator            = 
| Ship country             = 
| Ship flag                = 
| Ship registry            =*{{flagicon|AUS|civil}} Sydney (1903–1909)
*{{flagicon|UK|civil}} British (1909–16)
*{{flagicon|AUS|civil}} Sydney (1916)
| Ship route               = 
| Ship ordered             = 
| Ship builder             = [[John Wright and Son Shipyards|John Wright]] [[Cape Hawke]], [[New South Wales]], Australia
| Ship original cost       = 
| Ship yard number         = 
| Ship way number          = 
| Ship laid down           = 
| Ship launched            = 
| Ship completed           = 1903
| Ship christened          = 
| Ship acquired            = 
| Ship maiden voyage       = 
| Ship in service          = 
| Ship out of service      = 
| Ship identification      =*Ship official number 117638
*Ship registration number 58/1903
*11 December 1903
*Ship registration number 10/1916
*6 September 1916
| Ship fate                = Sank 22 October 1916
| Ship notes               = 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header              = 
| Header caption           = 
| Ship type                = Wood carvel [[screw steamer]]
| Ship construction        = 
| Ship tonnage             =*{{GRT|158.07}}
*{{NRT|71.03}}
| Ship displacement        = 
| Ship length              ={{convert|113|ft|5|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| Ship beam                ={{convert|22|ft|2|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| Ship height              =
| Ship draught             = {{cvt|2.316|m}}
| Ship draft               = 
| Ship hold depth          ={{convert|7|ft|6|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| Ship decks               ={{convert|80|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| Ship deck clearance      = 
| Ship sail plan           = 
| Ship power               = Compound 33 h.p. McKie & Baxter steam engine (Glasgow)
| Ship propulsion          = Single 4 Blade Screw
| Ship speed               = 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header              = yes
| Ship crew                = 10  
| Ship armament            = 
| Ship notes               = 
}}
|}
The '''''Tuncurry''''' was a wooden carvel [[screw steamer]] built in 1903 at [[Cape Hawke]] in the Australian state of [[New South Wales]], that was wrecked when she sprang a leak whilst carrying explosives, cement, whiskey, jam and other general cargo between Sydney and [[Brisbane]]. She was lost off [[Barrenjoey, New South Wales|Barrenjoey Head]], [[Broken Bay]], [[New South Wales]] on 22 October 1916.

== Ship description and construction ==

===Clarification and disambiguation===

A vessel with a similar name operated at much the same time and so the ''Tuncurry'' ex ''Tokelau'' should not be confused with the ''[[Tuncurry (1909)]]''.<ref name="Tuncurry (1909)">{{Cite web |url=https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/30/30b1226.pdf|title=LLOYD'S REGISTER, NAVIRES A VAPEUR ET A MOTEURS |publisher=Plimsoll Ship Data |access-date=14 October 2009}}</ref><ref name=Miramar>{{csr|register=MSI|id=1125205|access-date=14 October 2009}}</ref> which had a long career of at least 40 years and was scuttled on 9 April 1950 off Sydney although some reports say the vessel was burnt in Kerosene Bay in June 1952.

Both vessels were commissioned by the same owner Allen Taylor &  Co and built by the same builder John Wright<ref name=Register/> and had the same name with the ''[[Tuncurry (1909)]]'' taking over the same run after the ''Tuncurry'' (1903) was sold off to become the ''Tokelau''

===The ship builder===
The builder of the ''Tuncurry'' [[John Wright (shipbuilder-sawmiller)|John Wright]] was the founder of the town of [[Tuncurry]] and the ship building industry it became known for. In 1890 he built the small sailing vessel ''The Stanley'' and used it to carry wood to Sydney returning with general cargo. This was replaced by the ''Tuncurry'' (1903)<ref name=Northcoastrun>North Coast Run: Men and Ships of the New South Wales North Coast M. Richards P94 – 95 {{ISBN|978-0-908031-67-2}}</ref> which was jointly owned by both John Wright and Allen Taylor.<ref name=Register/> He died in 1910

John Wright also built a number of other vessels used on the North Coast including the ''Bellinger'', ''Our Jack'' and the ''[[Comboyne (1911)|Comboyne]]''.<ref name=Northcoastrun/>

His son Ernest continued the business with the building of the ''Narani'', ''Wallambra'', ''Glenreagh'', [[HMAS Allenwood|''Allenwood'']], ''Nambucca 1'', ''Nambucca 2'' and the ''Uralba'' as well as many small tugs, lighters, yachts and launches with the ship building company going on to be known as E. Wright & Son<ref name=Northcoastrun/>

Ernest Wright the son of the builder of the ''Tuncurry'' built a house and adjacent church at approximately the time of the sale of the ''Tuncurry'' in 1909 and this family house was named ''Tokelau'' the same name as the vessel being sold was to be called. This house still stands and operates as a historic bed and breakfast<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tokelau.com.au/Traditional.htm |title=Welcome to the Tokelau Guest House Website |access-date=2009-10-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091013142413/http://bnb@tokelau.com.au/Traditional.htm |archive-date=13 October 2009 }}</ref>

===The Original Owner===
The original owners of the vessel was [[Allen Taylor & Company]]. This company was formed by [[Allen Taylor|Sir Allen Arthur Taylor]] (1864–1940)<ref>{{cite book|url=http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/taylor-sir-allen-arthur-8753|title=Australian Dictionary of Biography|first=Alan|last=Roberts|chapter=Taylor, Sir Allen Arthur (1864–1940)|publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University|via=Australian Dictionary of Biography}}</ref> a [[self-made man]] timber merchant, ship-owner and politician.

He founded Allen Taylor & Co in the 1890s and moved into the field of hardwood timber supply in which the company is still active in. In the 1890s he became active in the shipping of hardwood from the north coast also though his shipping company and the later (1919) the North Coast Steam Navigation Co which purchased his shipping interests.<ref name=Northcoastrun/>

The vessel was equally owned by Allen Taylor and Robert Murray McCheyne Anderson with 32 of the 64 Shares in the vessel with John Wright owning the other 32 shares.<ref name=Register/>

===Ship description ''Tuncurry'' (1903)===
The vessel was a wooden single deck and the bridge ship with 2 masts and an elliptical stern it dimensions were:
:Length from foredeck of stem to stern post was {{convert|113|ft|5|in|m|2}}<ref name=Register>Sydney Ship Register</ref>
:Length @ ¼ depth front top of weather deck at amidships to bottom of keel {{convert|112|ft|0|in|m|2}}<ref name=Register/>
:Main Breadth to outside plank	{{convert|22|ft|2|in|m|2}}<ref name=Register/>
:Depth of Hold from tonnage deck to ceiling at amidships	{{convert|7|ft|6|in|m|2}}<ref name=Register/>
:Depth from Top of beam amidships to top of keel	{{convert|8|ft|3|in|m|2}}<ref name=Register/>
:Depth from top of deck as side amidships to bottom of keel	{{convert|9|ft|1|in|m|2}}<ref name=Register/>
:Length of Engine Room	{{convert|37|ft|0|in|m|2}}<ref name=Register/>

The vessel had a {{GRT|162.05|disp=long}} and a {{NRT|92.43|disp=long}} when first manufactured<ref name=Register/>

As originally fitted out the vessel was described as:

<blockquote>
Accommodation is also first class, having two nice ladies' cabins and a gentlemen’s cabin, all on the deck. She is fitted throughout with the electric light, and carries a steward and stewardess.<ref name="nabiac.com">http://www.nabiac.com/publications/atf/atf0902.pdf{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
</blockquote>

During its transfer to the British Western Pacific Territories as the ''Tokelau'' and its associated modification into a yacht for the High Commissioner, it appears the superstructure of the vessel was increased to have a {{GRT|162}} and a {{NRT|92}}.<ref name=30August1915>{{Cite web |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1551833?searchTerm=Tokelau|title=Historic Australian Newspapers, 1803 to 1954|publisher=National Library of Australia|date= 30 August 1915|access-date=14 October 2009}}</ref>

While by the refit in 1916 back to a general cargo vessel the superstructure had been changed back to little more than a Forecastle Mess Room, a Stewards Cabin, an Engineers Cabin and an Officers Cabin.<ref name=Register/> The Length of Engine Room had been shortened from {{convert|37|ft|0|in|m|2}} to {{convert|30|ft|5|in|m|2}}<ref name=Register/>

The vessel had also had a decrease in the storage volume from its original tonnage of {{GRT|162.05|disp=long}} to {{GRT|158.07|disp=long}} and a {{NRT|71.03|disp=long}} when it was resurveyed for registration.<ref name=Register/>

====Propulsion====
The ''Tuncurry'' was powered by a single British-built steel boiler producing {{convert|120|psi|kPa|2}} of steam built by Fraser & Son of London England.<ref name=Register/>

This steam was fed into a {{convert|33|hp|kW}} [[compound steam engine]] with cylinders of {{convert|13|in|mm}} and {{convert|26|in|mm}} bore by {{convert|18|in|mm}} stroke. By the time of the re surveyed for registration the power had been derated to {{convert|28|hp|kW}}.<ref name=Register/><br />
The engine was manufactured in Scotland by McKie & Baxter, which had been established in Govan, Glasgow, Strathclyde in 1895 as a partnership between J A McKie and P McLeod Baxter, which after amalgamation in 1931 with Campbell & Calderwood stopped trading in 1968.<ref>''The Shipbuilding industry: a guide to historical records'' by L. A. Ritchie Page 113</ref>

The vessel was able to achieve a speed of 9 knots.<ref name=Register/>

== Ship service history ==

=== ''Tuncurry'' 1903–1909===
During this period the vessel was mastered by Captain O'Beirne.<ref name=29april1910>{{Cite web |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5263042?searchTerm=Tuncurry|title=Historic Australian Newspapers, 1803 to 1954|publisher=National Library of Australia|date= 29 April 1910|access-date=14 October 2009}}</ref> or Captain E. P. O'Bierne<ref name=1october1906>{{Cite web |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5103220?searchTerm=Tuncurry|title=Historic Australian Newspapers, 1803 to 1954|newspaper=Advertiser |publisher=National Library of Australia|date= 1 October 1906|access-date=14 October 2009}}</ref> a Captain Francis P. Beirne was also employed in the North Coast Run by the North Coast Steam Navigation Company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shf.org.au/yLibraryDB/Personalities.html|title=Sydney Heritage Fleet – Page Removed|first=Steven|last=Robinson|website=shf.org.au}}</ref> A Francis O’Beirne Born Sydney, N.S.W. 1887 Received his Certificates of Competencies 2nd Mate on 22 July 1909, 1st Mate on 19 October 1911 and Master on 17 September 1915.<ref name="anmm.gov.au">{{cite web |url=http://www.anmm.gov.au/webdata/resources/pdfs/research_guides/index_certs_Masters_Mates_NSW.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2009-11-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003142924/http://www.anmm.gov.au/webdata/resources/pdfs/research_guides/index_certs_Masters_Mates_NSW.pdf |archive-date=3 October 2009 }}</ref>

The ''Tuncurry'' (1903) was one of the first boats engaged in the Cape Hawke Trade<ref name=1october1906/> and appears to be sold on when the ''Tuncurry'' (1909)<ref name="Miramar"/> was finished construction and took over the same run. When the ''Tuncurry'' (1903) first entered service it was welcomed as it was seen that it would improve the Tuncurry region as can be seen from the February 1904 local paper report:

<blockquote>
It behoves all the Wallamba people to support their own boat; and it is quite evident that it is a great benefit to all to have a good steam service, as there is nothing which will enhance the value of a property in a district more than speedy and regular communication with the metropolis. In this we are singularly fortunate in having Taylor and Wright’s new boat, the “ ''Tuncurry''”, which can do the trip in twelve hours from heads to heads. Her accommodation is also first class, having two nice ladies' cabins and a gentlemen’s cabin, all on the deck. She is fitted throughout with the electric light, and carries a steward and stewardess; and with the genial and trustworthy Captain O’Beirne, one may feel some pleasure in going for a trip to Sydney. As our bar is a very safe one, being under the lee of Cape Hawke, and as Captain O’Beirne has had such a long experience on our bar, I venture to predict that the “''Tuncurry''” will not miss one trip in the year. So far she has run her two trips a week as regular as clockwork. We also have a nice new drogher in connection with this service, which does the trip from Nabiac to Tuncurry in three hours, where the old one took eight; so that altogether we have the best steam service on the coast.<ref name="nabiac.com"/>
</blockquote>

The ''Tuncurry'' was involved in a collision with a Tug in the early morning of 30 September 1906:
 
<blockquote>
Passengers by the coasting, steamer ''Tuncurry'' were awakened early this morning whilst on a voyage from Sydney to Cape Hawke by a crash, and on looking out, were surprised to find that their vessel had been in collision with the tug [[Advance (1884)]]. The Tuncurry returned to Sydney today. An ugly hole in her starboard quarter afforded ample evidence of the early morning smash.

The collision occurred shortly after 4 o'clock this morning in the vicinity of North Head. The ''Tuncurry'', which belongs to Messrs. Allen Taylor and Co.'s line, in charge of Captain E. P. O'Bierne, left Pyrmont on Saturday night on her regular week's end trip to Cape Hawke. She carried several passengers and a general cargo. The weather, on clearing the Heads, was somewhat overcast and thick. All, however, went well until about five miles north of North Head, when the tug suddenly loomed up and the collision resulted. The tug had evidently come from Newcastle, and it is stated was "cruising" on the lookout for inward-bound sailing vessels. The two vessels met with considerable force.

The ''Tuncurry'' received the full strength of the blow on the starboard quarter. Her long counter saved her from being sent to the bottom. Had she been struck a little further forward nothing could have saved her. All the bulward planks in the vicinity were splintered, the damage extending below the covering board. The bulwark rail and stanchions were driven on board by the impact, and passengers who were berthed in the deck house in the vicinity were imprisoned by the wreckage. They were, however quickly rescued from their perilous position by Captain O'Bierne and his officers. The tug meanwhile stood by to render any necessary assistance. A hurried examination was made by Captain O'Bierne. and finding the damage well above water he signalled to the tug that no assistance was needed and immediately headed back to Sydney. The tug put into Newcastle, damaged at the bows.<ref name=1october1906/>
</blockquote>

It was later found at the Marine Court that:

<blockquote>
at the time of the collision the ''Advance'' was in charge of a deck hand, McIvor, and as she was overtaking the vessel she should have kept out of the way of

The court did not find that there had "been any negligence on the part of the master of the tug in not coming on deck sooner, but thought he should have acted more wisely.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5106181?searchTerm=Tuncurry|title=Historic Australian Newspapers, 1803 to 1954|publisher=National Library of Australia|date= 13 October 1906|access-date=14 October 2009}}</ref>
</blockquote>

On 25 March 1908 the screw steamer was grounded on the bar at Cape Hawke and it was successfully refloated a few days later.

A description of a trip on the vessel in October 1908 suggest that it was not always a kind vessel in a rough sea:

<blockquote>
I spent the long, weary hours "wedged" in a bunk on the upper deck of the staunch little trader which Captain O'Beirne navigates skilfully from port to port. We had run into a "snorting" southerly gale, and the ''Tuncurry'' just bumped into everything she disliked. But she fought her way to the southward, in spite of wind and sea, and landed me back home early one Monday morning with "gills" that were either light green or yellow, with a pain across the small of my back such as might have come from a hard "rope's-ending," and a feeling of emptiness in my lower hold, such as I had never known before. Still, it did not matter. Seasickness and soreness and other discomforts soon wore away<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.myall-lakes.com/laketrip.html | title=887700线路检测中心_首页欢迎您 }}</ref>
</blockquote>

Allen Taylor & Robert Anderson as well as John Wright sold their shares in the vessel 21 November 1908 to a Merchant Thomas D/Joroker Knox?<ref name=Register/>

Later in April 1910 (likely after the vessel was sold on) the master of the vessel Captain O Beirne was called to give evidence at the Marine Enquiry into the ''Satara'' sinking where as a witness knew of "the existence of an uncharted submerged rock" (Eidith Breakers) that had claimed the ''Satara''.<ref name=29april1910/>

===''Tokelau'' 1909–1916===
[[File:SS TOKELAU - Government Steamer Gilbert & Ellice Islands.jpg|thumb|The ''Tuncurry'' as it appeared early on in its career as the ''Tokelau'']]

The ''Tokelau'' served the High Commissioner for the [[British Western Pacific Territories]] for a number of years as a general Government steamer after having been brought by the British Government, and converted into a yacht for the [[Resident Commissioner]] of the [[Gilbert and Ellice Islands]].<ref name=23october1916>{{Cite web |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article6463477?searchTerm=Tuncurry|title=Historic Australian Newspapers, 1803 to 1954|publisher=National Library of Australia|date= 23 October 1916|access-date=14 October 2009}}</ref>

The delivery crew of the newly named ''S.S. Tokelau'' arrived back in Australia as passengers aboard the Oplan of [[Sandefjord]] from [[Banaba Island|Ocean Island]] & [[Nauru]] on 20 May 1909 The delivery crew consisted of the Norwegian Pettersen C. and the British Baldwin S., Smith S., Wickstroke R., Irvine and Wilmott.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mariners.records.nsw.gov.au/1909/05/135opl.htm |title=OPLAND |access-date=2009-10-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706122001/http://mariners.records.nsw.gov.au/1909/05/135opl.htm |archive-date=6 July 2011 }}</ref>

The vessel was used in the distribution of aid during a famine induced by drought in 1910:

<blockquote>
The Gilbert Island natives are in a terribly bad way owing to the severe drought. Private advices received in Sydney today by the mail from the islands tell of the distress among the natives. No rain has fallen at the islands for months, and the native food supplies have become exhausted. The position became so acute that the Government steamer ''Tokelau'' was commissioned to proceed round the southern islands with rations for the distressed natives. Four whole districts on the island of Tapitenia out of 16, besides many people from other districts, are being supplied by the Government. It is proposed to bring the people from the northern end of the island of Nonuti to the central village Matan, to facilitate the serving out of supplies. As much as 20 or 30 tons of rice is being distributed every few weeks to relieve the distress among the poor natives. The cocoanuts available on Nonata Island had been purchased by the Government for food supplies.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5219204?searchTerm=Tokelau|title=Historic Australian Newspapers, 1803 to 1954|newspaper=Advertiser |publisher=National Library of Australia|date= 8 December 1910|access-date=14 October 2009}}</ref>
</blockquote>

While in the Gilbert Group the ''S.S. Tokelau'' was lying beached for cleaning in Tarawa lagoon and the Captain and Chief Engineer wanted to go out for a sail in weather that threatened to turn nasty, so they took a local, Teriakai to look after them.  Teriakai at the time was well known for single handed in water combat with tiger sharks with just a knife. He was at the time a guest of His Majesty's, having got himself into trouble for a rather too carefree interpretation of the marriage laws. He was an exceptionally welcome guest; his vital, stocky frame was the equal of a giant's for work, and the bubbling of his unquenchable humour kept his warders as well as his fellow-prisoners laughing and labouring from morning to night. A happy prison is a tremendous asset to any Government Station. Whenever there was a special job to be done, he was the man we always chose to do it.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-GriPatt-t1-body1-d6-d1.html|title=Sharks – NZETC|website=nzetc.org}}</ref>

The vessel was put up for sale August 1915:

<blockquote>
BROWN and JOSKE have been instructed by His Excellency the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific to sell by PUBLIC AUCTION' at their Rooms in Thomson street, Suva, on Saturday, 11 September, at 11&nbsp;am.<br /><br />
The single screw wooden steamer "''Tokelau''" of 92 net tonnage, built in New South Wales in 1903, 120 feet length overall, 22 feet breadth, depth of hold 7ft. 6 in., length of top deck 80 feet, Gross tonnage 162 tons<br /><br />
Engines, evaporator, condenser, and dynamo in good condition, Accommodation consists of two saloon cabins and mess room forward, six cabins aft, two bathrooms, and two W.C.'s. Forecastle for eight; large divided fore peak.<br /><br />
This vessel is very suitable for trading in the islands 
For further particulars apply to
The Secretary, Western Pacific High commissioner, Suva, or to the auctioneer.<ref name=30August1915/><br />
</blockquote>

The vessel appeared to make its way into Australian waters on 1 March 1916 when the vessel arrived in Sydney from Suva still using ''Tokelau'' as its name.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8696871?searchTerm=Tokelau|title=Historic Australian Newspapers, 1803 to 1954|publisher=National Library of Australia|date= 1 March 1916|access-date=14 October 2009}}</ref> The vessel was sailed over by Captain Dearie with A H Hassell (the future registered owner) acting as its agents with it docked at Beatties wharf.<ref>SMH 1 March 1916 p15</ref>

===''Tuncurry'' 1916===
After arriving back in Australia the vessel was docked and repaired and refitted for general coastal trader cargo carrying with this work being carried out under the supervision of Captain Hutchins, and not only he, but the Navigation authorities also, were quite satisfied that the vessel was in good order. She had a 12 months survey, and this was her maiden trip in her new employer<ref name=23october1916/><ref name=SMH>Sydney Morning Herald 23 October 1916.</ref>

== Shipwreck event ==
[[File:Captain Hutchins Evidance Tuncurry (1903).jpg|thumb|Captain Hutchins Marine Court Enquiry Evidence into the sinking of the ''Tuncurry'' (1903)]]

As reported to the Superintendent of Navigation in Sydney on 23 October 1916 the vessel cleared at Customs House on at 1pm on the Saturday. It then left Left Middle Harbour, Explosives Depot at 4pm and Anchored in Pearl Bay (Mosman) until 10.30 pm Saturday 21 October before leaving Sydney at 10.30 pm and clearing the Sydney Heads 12.35 am 22 October 1916, bound for Brisbane Steering NE x N1/2N.

The vessel foundered on 23 October 1916 with a contemporary account given in the newspapers of the day:

<blockquote>
Captain Hutchins and ten men comprising the crew of the steamer ''Tuncurry'' (late ''Takelau''),.had an exciting adventure off the coast yesterday morning. They arrived in Watson's Bay yesterday in the ship's life boat with news of the loss of the vessel. The ''Tuncurry'' sprang a leak and foundered three miles off Broken Bay.<br /><br />
The story told by the captain shows that the, disaster happened shortly before -daylight yesterday. The ''Tuncurry'' loaded a cargo of cement and explosives at Sydney, and cleared, the Sydney Heads at midnight on Saturday bound for Brisbane. Making north the steamer was soon pitching into a northerly breeze-and head sea. All, however, went well until 3 o'clock in the morning when the engineer on watch reported that the vessel was leaking badly. All hands were called, and the pumps started, the steamer meanwhile being headed in to-wards Broken Bay. Efforts were made by the captain to trace the cause of the leak, but all to no avail, and the soundings showed that the water was rapidly gaining on the pumps.<br /><br />
The position was serious, with several miles to cover before reaching shallow water, but all hands still worked hard to save the vessel. Their efforts at last proved fruitless, The steamer lost way, and gradually began to settle down. The captain, officers, and men just had time to launch the lifeboat and jump clear when the ''Tuncurry'' took a heavy plunge and disappeared below the surface.
Favoured by a slant of wind the boat safely made the passage to the Heads, and the captain boarded the pilot steamer and reported the disaster. Subsequently the crew landed and hurried off to their homes<br /><br />
Captain Hutchins is unable to account for the leak, as the vessel had been overhauled before leaving port. The ''Tuncurry'', which was a vessel of 162 tons, must not be confused with the vessel of the same name running to Cape Hawke for Messrs. Allen Taylor & Company.  Though the steamer lost and engaged in the Cape Hawke trade she was brought here by the British Government some year ago and converted into a Yacht for the Commissioner at the Gilbert Group, and later sold to Messrs. Arthur H. Hassell &. Company, of Sydney, who recently renovated the steamer and converted her into a cargo boat, for coastal work The ''Tuncurry'' had been lying at Sydney since February last.<ref name=23october1916/>
</blockquote>

Crews accounts of the sinking go on to add that the leak was:

<blockquote>
first noticed leak in the chain locker forward, notified captain who considered it unimportant. Captain retired around 2 am, leaving his mate on duty. 20 minutes later the chief engineer, Robert Clasper, noticed water coming in and he then worked the pumps for about 25 minutes before reporting to the mate. Skipper woken about 3.15 am by chief engineer who reported that the vessel was taking in water. The skipper was "incredulous" but the mate assured him that water was covering the floor in the engine room. Skipper altered course for Broken Bay at 3.30 am, but at 4.25am he ordered all hands launch the lifeboat. He went to his cabin to secure the ship’s papers and with them, the ship’s cat and a case of biscuits, he and the crew abandoned ship. The ship foundered 20 minutes later.<ref name=SMH/>
</blockquote>

===Crew at the time of Sinking===
The captain Sanders Campbell Hutchins (born Brisbane, Queensland 1863 received his mate Certificates of Competency 12 May 1898),<ref name="anmm.gov.au"/> his mate (Morris Noel Cauvin), two engineers (Chief engineer Robert Clasper), three fireman (Joseph Edwards) and four sailors all of whom reached Watson's Bay in Sydney about 8 am on 22 October 1916, with no lives lost.

===Cargo at time of sinking===
The ''Tuncurry'' was carrying a general cargo which consisted of

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Newcastle Morning Herald<ref name=NMH>Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners Advocate 1 November 1916 page 7</ref>
! Sydney Morning Herald<ref name=SMH/>
! Sydney Morning Herald 23 Oct
|-
| 1500 bags of Cement
| 1584 bags of Cement
| 90 cases of Cement
|-
| 1100 cases of Explosives
| 1126 cases of Explosives
| 1200 cases of Explosives
|-
| 100 Cases of Whiskey ([[Johnnie Walker]])
| 100 Cases of Whiskey
| 100 Cases of Whiskey  
|-
| 60 Case of Jam
| 60 Case of Jam
| 60 Case of Jam
|}

===The Marine Court of Enquiry===
At the Marine Court Inquiry held by the Department of Navigation into the sinking of the steamer ''Tuncurry'' as reported in NMH but not the SMH, the mate, Morris Noel Cauvin said  "the vessel was diving into a nor’easter, and at every dive about a pint of water was spurting through a leak. The sea was breaking over forward, but only slightly. The cement and explosives had about a 4ft gap between them. He could not say whether this would strain the ship. He fancied he saw the masts go together as she sank".<ref name=NMH/> <br />

Joseph Edwards, fireman, said that "he was sleeping in the engine room when water coming in from the leak drenched him. He jumped up, and was up to his knees in water. He considered that the ship was overloaded".<ref name=NMH/><br />

Regarding the question of overloading, the Judge, assessors and solicitors representing the owner, captain, officers and crew all discussed and deliberated, and decided that the engineer could have raised the alarm earlier than he did, and that there was a question of overloading, but, to track down the ship's carpenter so that he may give evidence would probably throw no more light on the matter. The Inquiry concluded with no official finding on the reason for the sinking.<ref name=NMH/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5530911?searchTerm=Tuncurry|title=Historic Australian Newspapers, 1803 to 1954|publisher=National Library of Australia|date= 1 November 1916|access-date=14 October 2009}}</ref>

At the inquiry it was stated that the ship was valued at £5500 and was insured for £4000 by the Batavia Insurance Company.<ref name=NMH/>

== Wreck site and wreckage ==
Recently discovered in 60 meters of water the wreck was found by divers in 2009.

The ''Tuncurry'' lies upright on sand in 60 meters of water with its Scottish boiler standing proud. The four-bladed propeller, propeller shaft and a mound of cargo are prominent elements.

== Further reading ==
'''Online Database's'''
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20091112021139/http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/heritage/nsd/nsd_list.pl Australian National Shipwreck Database]
* [http://www.ozships.net/ozships/ Australian Shipping – Arrivals and Departures 1788-1968 including shipwrecks]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20091002083826/http://oceans1.customer.netspace.net.au/nsw-main.html Encyclopaedia of Australian Shipwrecks – New South Wales Shipwrecks]

'''Other Online sources'''
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100621072402/http://newspapers.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/home Historic Australian Newspapers, 1803 to 1954]

'''Books'''
*''Wrecks on the New South Wales Coast'' by [[Jack Loney|Loney, J. K. (Jack Kenneth)]], 1925–1995 Oceans Enterprises. 1993 {{ISBN|978-0-646-11081-3}}.
*''Australian shipwrecks'' Vol. 4 1901–1986'' by Loney, J. K. (Jack Kenneth), 1925–1995. [[Portarlington, Victoria|Portarlington, Vic.]] Marine History Publications, 1987 910.4530994 LON

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{1906 shipwrecks}}
{{October 1916 shipwrecks}}
{{Navbox shipwrecks of New South Wales|Wrecksnorthsydney}}

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[[Category:Shipwrecks of the Northern Sydney Region]]
[[Category:Ships built in New South Wales]]
[[Category:1903 ships]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1906]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1916]]
[[Category:1916 in Australia]]
[[Category:1901 – World War I ships of Australia]]
[[Category:Coastal trading vessels of Australia]]
[[Category:Wooden steamships of Australia]]