Times Gone By: Last Voyage of the Eliza

COMMAND of the 57-ton wooden ketch Eliza was given to Captain Alexander McNair in December 1887, while his crew consisted of able seaman A Chisholm and cook, John Stuart.

Directed to deliver coal to the Colonial Sugar Company (CSR) on the Richmond River, they left the company’s wharf in Sydney on 4 October 1888.

Officially a passenger, D McKenzie was also onboard although he also helped the crew.

They and the ship were not seen again, until Rev. Mr Harrison reached Fernmount on 22 October 1888 with the news that a wrecked vessel had come in among the breaking waves south of the ‘creek’, at Corinda Point (Red Rock Headland) on 16 October.

After a site visit, the stationmaster telegraphed the Marine Board president notifying him of the discovery and its absent crew.

Papers washed ashore identified the vessel as Eliza and these were mailed to Grafton the following morning.

Initially, there was confusion over the ship’s ownership as several vessels had the same name and part of the cargo did not match Mr Bond’s vessel.

A few days later portions of the ship had washed ashore and tops of the masts could be seen above the water, some way out from the beach.

A close watch was kept for bodies washing up on the beach, but none appeared, confirming the crew was lost overboard during the gale.

Eliza’s owner was proven to be Mr Chapman Bond as his ship was long overdue at its destination.

The Eliza was built by Mr Richard of Cape Hawke on 22 May 1872 and was 78 feet long, had a 19 feet beam (width) and a six-foot depth of hold.

Initially belonging to Mr John Wettenham, the vessel had a reputation of being strong and had recently undergone a £300 overhaul.

An inquiry was held by the Marine Board of NSW at Circular Quay on 12 November which found Eliza had foundered during a heavy south-east gale along the north-eastern coastline after leaving Sydney.

By Karen FILEWOOD