The vessel
Raven was registered in Port Adelaide and was owned by W. R. Cave
and Company of Adelaide. It was a carvel-built wooden vessel with one deck,
three masts and elliptical stern, constructed in 1864. It left Fremantle
and was cleared for Bunbury on 11 March 1891 at 4.30 p.m. A fresh southerly
breeze was blowing. The vessel sailed through South Passage, passing the
Champion Rock buoy when at 7.00 p.m. breakers were seen on the lee bow.
The wreck event
Captain Swain ordered the helm to be put down so that the vessel could
be brought round. This failed and Raven ran up on Dyer Island (Cairns
& Henderson, 1995:168).
The vessel struck twice and was canted to starboard making it unsafe
for those on board to remain. All crew left in boats but no cargo was saved.
As Raven sank the survivors made for Fremantle and were picked up in Gage
Roads at 9.00 a.m. the next morning. It was reported that the vessel had
slipped into deep water and was gradually breaking up, with much of the
cargo washing ashore in the heavy seas.
At about 10.00 a.m. the harbour-master visited the site and found the
barque broadside to the reef with only a portion remaining above the water.
The main and foremast were completely gone and just the stump of the mizzen-mast
visible (Cairns & Henderson, 1995:168). |
Inquiry
At the preliminary inquiry held at Fremantle on 13 March, Captain Swain
stated that he did not see the island until up close despite the fact that
night lights were visible at this time. The captain had not hove the lead
as he had not considered it necessary in his experience, in the approaches
to Fremantle. He had not known the vessel to miss stays before.
On 20 March the captain was charged with drunkenness and carelessness
and want of judgement. The inquiry also debated whether it was safe to attempt
South Passage at night. Evidence given to the court confirmed the Captain's
lack of sobriety and the dangers associated with the course chosen. North
Passage would have been the preferred route at night. The Captain's certificate
was cancelled (Murphy, 1990b:25).
Site location
The wreck is located on the Fremantle side of Dyers Island about 200
metres from the rock at the southern end.
Site description
The wreck site lies partially buried in sand on a sand and weed bottom
in 6 metres of water. It is hard to distinguish from the surrounding reef.
Timber fragments attached to copper alloy bolts lie scattered around the
site. Possible remnants from the wreck may be buried under the sand or under
the ledges in the surrounding reef. |