Shipwreck of "Mary" - rudder
Rudder found on the beach at Wonnerup, from the ship "Mary" wrecked in 1879
Story from the Busselton Historical Society Newsletter 12/4/1969 Submitted by Mrs. Dunkley. Reference; Historical Section, Busselton Library.
WRECK OF THE "MARY", 1879
The "Mary" was blown ashore at Lockeville during a gale 5/6/1879 and became a total wreck. A note from the Harbour Master's Office, dated 7/6/1879 records the following:- 'The "Mary" loading timber at Lockeville jetty during the last gale, drove on to the jetty end, lifting the caps and platform of the jetty and crushing a way for herself through the piles; sustaining much damage as to warrant the opinion that she will be a total loss, Her hull is now lying in such a position as to prevent anything in the shape of repairs being I done to the jetty.’
Details
Details
The Mary was a 65-foot wooden schooner wrecked on June 5, 1879, near the Lockeville jetty in Busselton, Western Australia. After dragging its mooring during a severe gale, it struck the jetty, was scuttled to prevent further damage, and became a total loss. A rudder from the wreck was later found at Wonnerup.
Key details regarding the wreck of the Mary in Busselton:
Incident: The vessel was loading timber at the Lockeville jetty when a gale forced it onto the structure, damaging the jetty and causing the ship to break up.
Location: The incident occurred near the West Australian Timber Company's mooring, roughly 180 meters from the jetty.
Outcome: The crew and four passengers survived, and a subsequent inquiry cleared the master and crew of blame.
History: Built in Fremantle in 1868, the Mary was primarily used for coastal trade.
