The vessel
Lloyd's Register records that Highland Forest was built by Ramage
and Ferguson at Leith with three masts, one central bulkhead, one deck and
two tiers of beams. The poop measured to 8.2 metres and the forecastle was
to the same height.
The vessel left New York bound for Fremantle with a cargo on consignment
to the Western Australian Shipping Association. The goods aboard included
1 646 steel plates, 8 250 cases of kerosene, 9 392 pieces of white pine
shelving, 131 cases of chairs, 880 barrels of asphalt, cornflower, canned
goods, printing paper, sheet iron nails, windmill apparatus and other sundries.
The vessel approached Fremantle in April 1901 in excellent weather conditions,
under the command of Captain Alexander Chapman.
The wreck event
Highland Forest was laden to the plimsoll line when it struck
Murray Reef heading north to Fremantle with all the sails set full. It struck
heavily on 29 April, was unable to stand the shock and broke up quickly.
All eighteen hands aboard were safely landed but few of their personal affects
could be got off and only some of the ship's papers wereaved. The cargo
went to the bottom. Contemporary records have not yet been located that
indicate if the vessel was sold or the extent to which salvage was undertaken
(Western Australian, 1 May 1901, p. 5f).
Investigations into the conduct of the master were held at the Customs
House of Fremantle. Master Chapman stated that he 'had sailing directions'
(Findlay's Indian Ocean Directory). His certificate was suspended for twelve
months (Harbour and Lights, file 81/16, Battye Library).
Site location
The site lies at the end of the Murray Reef group approximately 2.2 kilometres
offshore.
Site description
The site rests in 7.5 metres of water on a shallow reef that is subject
to swell, surge and the onshore (or lee) breeze. The wreckage covers an
overall length of 30 metres with pieces found up to 15 metres to the port
side of the main wreck concentrations. The bow of the vessel is in a sand
hole. The iron floors are intact on the reef top with the vessel's iron
sides collapsed outwards, and deck beams lying at random. Iron mast fragments
occur throughout the whole site. |
Together with the ribs, frames and mast sections large pieces of sheet
metal are the most predominant feature on the site. At the time of last
inspection (1994), weed growth on the remains was minimal. The only timber
on the site was found on the starboard side, amidships, and is 0.5 metres
square. On the site there is no evidence of cargo remains, although there
have been no historical records located that can confirm if salvage took
place. Given the high energy dynamics of the marine environment along this
reef it is likely that smaller items and ships fittings are either extensively
buried or have been destroyed. No anchors are evident on the site (Kenderdine,
1994b:6). Freshly exposed metal suggests recent attempts at looting on the
site (1994).
Artefacts
A bell bearing the inscription 'HIGHLAND FOREST' was removed from the
site in 1968 by R. Kreuzer. It has been conserved by the Department of Materials
Conservation, and is on display at the Museum.
Statement of significance
Historical
This wreck site has particular historical significance for its association
with the author Joseph Conrad who centred one of his novels (The Mirror
of the Sea) around the voyages of Highland Forest on which he
served as first mate. It also has significance as a reflection of the overseas
trade network and the development of the Western Australian economy.
References
Kenderdine, S., 1994b, Highland Forest, unpub. Wreck Inspection, Department of Maritime Archaeology, Western Australian Maritime Museum, No. 114.
Harbour and Lights, file 81/16, Battye Library.
Western Australian, 1 May 1901, p. 5f.
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