NORTHERN WESTERN AUSTRALIA SHIPWRECKS           Enter here to bring up frames page with book codes if not already loaded.
BROOME TO JOSEPH BONAPARTE GULF

Northern Western Australia, for the purposes of this listing, extends from Broome, nestled between Gantheaume Bay and Roebuck Bay, to the border with the Northern Territory just east of Cambridge Gulf. Included also are the Lacepepde Islands, lying about twelve nautical miles off the Australian mainland, west of Beagle Bay, and are composed of four low atolls almost surrounded by coral reefs. The five thousand kilometre coastline of north Western Australia consists of remarkable gorges, gulfs and bays including Beagle Bay, Cape Leveque, King Sound, Lacepede Islands, York Sound, the Buccaneer Archipelago, Bonaparte Archipelago, Jospeh Bonaparte Gulf, Camden Sound, and the towns of Derby and Wyndham. Most of the coastline in uninhabited and with restricted coastal access, due to no roads, and aboriginal reserves. In other words, its a very remote area. Survivors from vessels lost along the coast during the 19th century would have found few comforts ashore.

The region is also within the cyclone belt, which indeed extends a further thousand kilometres south. Add to the fact that Broome is the centre of the pearling industry and it is easy to see why there are so m many wrecks. Whole pearling fleets have been wiped out during the days when cyclones were not given cute names. It is for this reason also that vessels listed as lost with the simple notation, 'wrecked in cyclone' are listed here unless a specific location indicates otherwise. Also included are vessels listed as having been lost on the Ninety Mile Beach - wherever hat may have been. In February 1877, ten vessels were lost at the Lacepede Islands, but in March 1935, twenty luggers were destroyed, sixty more ended up on the rocks or ashore, and forty lives were lost. Most were  Japanese, Chinese, Malayans, Koepangers and Australian aboriginals. Due to the high risks the luggers were not insured and their loss was a severe blow to the ailing pearling industry. In 1887 at Ninety Mile Beach, thirteen were destroyed and 140 lost their life. Broome has seen many cyclones, the worst in terms of vessels and lives lost were in April 1908, with forty-four luggers destroyed and fifty lives lost, and nine months later and cyclone destroyed another four vessels and fifty lives. In November 1910, a further twenty-seven vessels and forty lives were lost. With greater sophistication of weather forecasting, the danger in terms of small craft and human lives lost is reduced, but not eliminated.

The largest ship lost in northern Western Australia is the 4068 ton steamship Koolama, which sank at the Wyndham jetty having been attacked by eight Japanese aircraft on 2 March 1942. The largest vessel lost in peacetime was the 2091 ton Karrakatta, which hit an uncharted rock off Cape Leveque in 1901. The 1479 ton steamer Colac was wrecked when she went ashore in King Sound, 1910. The largest sailing vessel lost appears to be thaat of the 822 ton barqque Calliance, wrecked in Camden Harbour, 1864. The most recent vessel of size lost in the region is the drilling rig tender, Sedco Helen, 837 tons, foundered in Joseph Bonaparte Gulf in 1970.

Reference.
Loney [LW] is the predominant source at the moment, but is must be noted that the excellent three volume set covering the shipwrecks of Western Australia by Graeme Henderson has not been included. This is the definiate work, Henderson being the head of the Maritime Atchaeology unit at the WA Museum.
[198 records]

Associated links:  WESTERN AUSTRALIA     ABROLHOS ISLANDS          ROTTNEST ISLAND




Ada May. Cutter. Lost near Maude Landing, north-west WA coast, 1888. Two lives lost. [LW]

Adalia. Pearling schooner, 10 ton. Wrecked in a cyclone, Yammanderry Banks, WA, 9 January 1881. One life lost. [LW]

Afric. Schooner, 15 tons. Lost in King Sound, WA, 1915. [LW]

Albert. Schooner, 23 tons. Built Perth 1862. Lbd  45.2 x 14.4 x 5.7 ft. Wrecked  Lacepede Islands, 31 January 1880.  [LW]

Albert Victor. Vessel, guano carrier, 384 tons. Built 1864. Lbd 138.8 x 30.1 x 14.9 ft. Captain McWilliam. Ashore in a gale, Lacepede islands, off WA, February 1877. [LW],[HH2]

Alfred. Pearling schooner. Lost during a cyclone off Broome, 9 December 1908. Some fifty lives were lost during the cyclone, the second tragedy for the pearling fleet this year; for weeks bodies washed ashore among the mangroves near the mouth of Dampier Creek at Broome.  [LW]

Alice. Lugger. Lost near Cape Leveque, WA, 1905. [LW]

Alice. Wooden schooner, 132 tons. Owned by J. Clarke & Company of Broome. Lbd 97.6 x 25.4 x 9.2 ft.  Wrecked on Bruce Reef, north of Cape Leveque, WA, 14 June 1915. Thirteen lost.  [LW]

Alma. Pearling schooner, 35 tons.  Lost during the great cyclone off Broome on 26-27 April 1908. Forty-four luggers were lost and some fifty lives. [LW]

Alma. Wrecked in a cyclone, WA, September 1873. [LW]

Amur. Guano vessel. Lost in a ferocious storm that lashed the Lacepede Islands, 125 km north of Broome, February 1877. Ten vessels were lost; the only one to survive was the barque Prince Arthur. [HH2]

Anne & Mary. Brigantine, 90 tons. Foundered off the Ninety Mile Beach, WA, aftr springing a leak, 26 June 1887. [LW]

Anne. Pearling schooner, 71 tons. Lost during the great cyclone off Broome on 26-27 April 1908. Forty-four luggers were lost and some fifty lives. [LW]

Anne. Schooner, 35 tons. Built 1884; reg. Port Darwin, 1884. Wrecked north-west coast WA, January  1894. [ASR]

Annie Taylor. Schooner, 73 tons. Built 1871. Lbd 86 x 18.5 x 7.2 ft. Wrecked ashore in cyclone, Lacepede Islands, off WA, 16 February 1884. [LW]

Awang. Ketch, 14 tons. Built 1907; reg. Fremantle. Wrecked in cyclone, 27 March 1935. [ASR]

Beautrice. Lugger, 11 tons. Lost on the WA north west coast, March 1899. [LW]

Bedout. Schooner, 35 tons. Wrecked at Point Smith south of Broome, WA, 1918. [LW]

Bertha. Lugger. Wrecked in a cyclone off the WA coast,  July 1874. [LW]

Beryl. Schooner, 15 tons. Wrecked near Broome, WA, February 1920. [LW]

Bossut. Schooner, 13 tons. Built 1909; reg. Fremantle. Wrecked in cyclone 27 March 1935. [ASR]

Britannia. Lugger. Wrecked in a cyclone, north-west coast, WA, March 1912. [LW]

Bubbles. Wooden schooner, 14 tons. Foundered between Swan Point and Cape Leveque, WA, 7 January 1904. [LW]

Byeela. Fishing vessel. Lost near Osborne Islands, WA,  November 1973. [LW]

C.3. Fishing boat. Disappeared without trace during a cyclone off the WA coast, 2-3 April 1966. [LW]

Calliance. Barque, 822 tons. Built Sunderland 1854. Lbd 157.5 x 32 x 21 ft. Wrecked at Camden Harbour, WA, 5 January 1864. She had been engaged to carry intending settlers and their livestock to their new home. Divers from the W.A. Museum found a few relics from this vessel in 1978 and were able to pinpoint the survivors' and salvagers' campsites. [LW],[LAH]

Caprice. Fishing boat. Destroyed by fire at Kalbarri, WA, 17 January 1976. [LW]

Captain A.E. Trivett. Trawler, 161 tons. Built Fremantle 1971. Lbd 73.6 x 21.7 x 7.2 ft. Capsized in the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf off North Western Australia on 13 June 1975, then drifting upside down for some time, the eventually sank. Four of her crew were rescued by two other trawlers but the fifth crew member, a girl, was drowned. [LW]

Clara. Lugger.Wrecked in a cyclone, north-west coast, WA, March 1912. [LW]

Clyo. Lighter. Wrecked in a cyclone, north-west coast, WA, March 1912. [LW]

Colac. Iron steamship, 1479 tons. Built 1884. Lbd 245.2 x 34.2 x 17.2 ft. Adelaide Steamship Company. Stranded in King’s Sound near Derby, WA, 17 September 1910. Attempts to refloat her failed and she was dismantled where she lay.. [LW],[LAH],[DG - Built 1875, lost near Derby, Septembeer 1910]

Constance. Lugger 12 tons. Lost during a gale off Cape Leveque, WA, 22 December 1890. [LW]

Constance. Lugger. Wrecked in a cyclone, north-west coast, WA, March 1912. [LW]

Cossack. Lugger, 8 tons. Foundered in a cyclone, 28 March 1917. [LW]

Crawley Belle. Lost off the Western Australia coast during a cyclone, November 1910. [LW]

Culwalla. Schooner, 23 tons. Ashore at Broome, WA, 2 February 1918. [LW]

Curlew. Schooner, 11 tons. Wrecked at Hermit Island in the Montebello Group, off the northern WA coast, 2 February 1911.

Cygnet. Lugger. Lost in a cyclone, King Sound, WA, 6 February 1889. [LW]

Dahlia 11. Indonesian long line fishing boat. Vanished with its crew of twenty-six when struck by a cyclone about 1000 nautical miles north of Exmouth, March 1990.  [LW]

Daisy. Schooner, 12 tons. Believed lost off the north west WA coast during June 1905. [LW]

Dart. Pearling vessel. Wrecked in a cyclone (along with about forty others lost or damaged), at Ninety Mile Beach, WA, 22 April 1887. More than 140 people died in the cyclone.  [LW]

Dawn. Wooden schooner. Built 1870. Lbd 71 x 17 x 8.5 ft. Lost at Maude Landing, WA,  3 March 1902 during a voyage from Broome to Fremantle.  [LW]

Dawn. Pearling vessel. Wrecked in a cyclone (along with about forty others lost or damaged), at Ninety Mile Beach, WA, 22 April 1887. More than 140 people died in the cyclone.  [LW]

Delaware. Lugger, 12 tons. Lost when approaching Broome, WA, early in May 1928. The crew of three swam ashore. [LW]

Diamond. Schooner, 17 tons. Lost between Beagle Bay and Broome, WA, 19 June 1903. [LW]

Dolphin. Cutter, 24 tons. Built 1875. Lbd  48.3 x 15 x 6 ft. Wrecked ashore in cyclone, Lacepede Islands, off WA, 16 February 1884. [LW]

Dominion. Schooner, 12 tons. Lost near Broome,  March 1926. [LW]

Doris Good. Schooner, 13, Fremantle, 1903. Lost in cyclone 27 March 1935. [ASR]

Dreadnaught. Lugger, 8 tons.  Lost in a cyclone in the Broome - Port Hedland area on 17/18 April 1904.  [LW]

Drysdale. Mission lugger. Reported lost near Wyndham, 22 April 1926. [LW]

Eclipse. Schooner,  23 tons.  Lost during a cyclone, Broome, 19 November 1910. Altogether, 27 vessels and 40 lives were lost in the cyclone. At the height of the cyclone 26 vessels were sunk off Entrance Point, while within a radius of 60 kilometres a total of about 60 luggers were driven on to rocks or beached. Most vessels destroyed were small craft. [LW]

Eileen. Lugger, 13 tons. Foundered near Broome, WA, 12 June 1924. Loss of 12 lives. She may have been refloated. [LW]

Ellen. Government schooner. Under Lieut Derbishire of HMS Hyacinth, searched the Ganthaume Bay, WA, region for the missing vessel Mercury, without success, November 1834. [ASW1]

Eloise. Schooner, 33 tons. Built 1876; reg. Fremantle. Wrecked York Sound, WA, June, 1892. [ASR]

Emily. Guano vessel. Lost in a ferocious storm that lashed the Lacepede Islands, 125 km north of Broome, February 1877. Ten vessels were lost; the only one to survive ws the barque Prince Arthur. [HH2]

Emma.  Pearling cutter, 9 tons. Wrecked ashore in a cyclone in Cygnet Bay, King Sound, WA, 16 February 1885. [LW]

Enchantress. Schooner, 171 tons. Built 1846. Lbd 101.3 x 23.8 x 11.2 ft. Struck a reef off Champagny Island, WA, and struggled into Brecknock Harbour, only to become a total wreck. 15 August 1874. A confrontation between the crew and Aborigines followed and several lives were lost. [LW]

Endeavour. Schooner, 12 tons. Ashore, wrecked in a cyclone, 28 March 1917. Six lives lost. [LW]

Enid. Lugger, 12 tons. Left Derby for Fremantle with a crew of three during February 1928 and was not seen again. [LW]

Enterprise. Lighter. Wrecked in a cyclone, north-west coast, WA, March 1912. [LW]

Ethel Riddell. Pearling brigantine. On 19 October 1899 left Broome for the pearling grounds off the Eighty Mile Beach carrying provisions, mail and newspapers but never reached her destination. It was later determined that a Filipino crew had mutineered and murdered five of the crew in their atempt to seize control of the ship and to seek treasuree in the Philippines. The brigantine made it to the   Tenimber Group in the Arafura Sea, where it was scuttled. The mutineers claimed they had been shipwrecked, and nearly got away with their ruse but were betrayed by the Chinese cook who had escaped. The mutineers were arrested, then extradited to Perth for trial in June 1900. Five were found guilty and condemned to death. Two of them, identified as certain killers were hanged and three had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment. [LW]

Ettica. Lugger. Lost in heavy weather off Broome, late February 1931.  [LW]

Expert. Schooner, 68 tons. Built 1875. Lbd 80.5 x 20.1 x 6.9 ft. Wrecked ashore in cyclone, Lacepede Islands, off WA, 16 February 1884. [LW],[LPA]

Expert. Pearling vessel. Wrecked in a cyclone (along with about forty others lost or damaged), at Ninety Mile Beach, WA, 22 April 1887. More than 140 people died in the cyclone.  [LW]

Fanny Nicholson. Whaler, 285 tons. Built 1855. Lbd 118.4 x 25.4 x 15 ft.
Wrecked in a gale in King George Sound, December 1872.  [LW]

Fleetwing. Ketch, 16 tons. Lost off WA coast during a cyclone, 25 March 1942. [LW]
Also listed:
Fleetwing. Small craft. Lost during a cyclone on the north WA west coast, 25 March 1946. [LW]

Florence. Pearling vessel. Wrecked in a cyclone (along with about forty others lost or damaged), at Ninety Mile Beach, WA, 22 April 1887. More than 140 people died in the cyclone.  [LW]

Foxworthy. Schooner, 15 tons. Destroyed during a Japanese air raid on Broome, WA, February 1942. [LW]

Geraldton. Auxiliary schooner, 77 tons. Built Fremantle 1914. Lbd 73 x 19.7 x 7.5 ft. Struck a submerged object off Cape Baskerville about 100 kilometres north of Broome, WA, and sank, 25 November 1937. Her complement of six crew and one passenger landed safely and walked overland to Beagle Bay Mission. [LW]

Gitana. Schooner, 15 tons. Built 1902; reg. Fremantle. Lost in cyclone, 27 March 1935. [ASR]

Governor Weld. Cutter, 18 tons. Wrecked near La Grange Bay on the WA north west coast, 7 February 1894. [LW]

Gwinava. Pearling lugger. Lost during the great cyclone off Broome on 26-27 April 1908. Forty- four luggers were lost and some fifty lives. [LW]

H.M.C. Mission. Ketch, 11 tons. Lost during a cyclone at Norman Creek, Beagle Bay, WA, 27 March 1933.  [LW]

H.S.Howland. Schooner, 16 ton. Owned by the Presbyterian Mission. Wrecked north east of Derby, WA, 1937. [LW]

Harold. Schooner, 12 tons. Lost in a cyclone in the Broome - Port Hedland area on 17/18 April 1904. Crew of eight lost. [LW]

Hector. Lugger. Lost off the north west coast, 1888. [LW]

Helen Malcolm. Barque, guano carrier, 311 tons. Built 1866, Lbd 121 x 26 x 14.9 ft.  Captain Kirby.  Ashore in a gale, Lacepede islands, off WA, February 1877. [LW],[HH2]

Henry. Small craft. Lost near Cape Voltaire, WA, 1920. [LW]

Hercules. Schooner, 56 tons. Built 1896. Lbd 66.9 x 16.9 x 5.9 ft. Cables parted, drifted ashore, wrecked near Broome, WA, 4 March 1918. [LW]

Hero of the Nile. Barque, 356 tons. Built Cowes, Isle of Wight, England 1852. Lbd 126.5 x 25 x 17.2 ft. Currents carried her inside Murray Reef, Lacepede Islands, off WA, and she was wrecked north-west off Long Point, 20 October 1987. Crew of fourteen and two passengers saved. A few beams protruding from the sand in about three metres of water are visible occasionally.  [LW],[LAH - brig]

Houchuen 12. Taiwanese trawler. Length 36 metres. Foundered in Cyclone Hazel which struck the north west coast on 11 and 12 March 1979. All eleven crew lost. Wreckage, identified as having come from her was found about 200 nautical miles west of Darwin. [LW]

Ibis. Lugger, 14 tons. Wrecked in a gale, Broome, WA, November 1925. [LW]

Ida. Lugger, 14 tons. Wrecked during a willy willy near Broome, 7 February 1929. [LW]

Idaho. Mission lugger, 14 tons. Wrecked on Swan Point, Lacepede Islands, during a cyclone, 27 March 1935. The cyclone destroyed 20 luggers and drowned 141 men - Japanese, Chinese, Malayans, Koepangers and Aboriginals. Due to the high risks the luggers were not insured and their loss was a severe blow to the ailing pearling industry.. [LW]

Industry. Cutter, 12 tons. Lost in a cyclone off WA coast, 24 January 1879. [LW]

Isabellas. Brig, guano carrier, 268 tons. Built 1860. Lbd 102.9 x 26.2 x 15.9 ft. Captain Friend. Ashore in a storm, Lacepede Islands, off WA, February 1877. [LW],[HH2]

Ivy. Schooner, 59 tons. Built Fremantle 1882. Lbd 65.8 x 17 x 7.5 ft. Lost at the Lacepede Islands, WA,  27 November 1896. [LW]

Ivydale. Wooden schooner, 12 tons. Sunk in a cyclone near Broome, 27 July 1916. [LW]

John & Elizabeth. Schooner, 40 tons. Abandoned after being badly damaged in a cyclone off Lacepede Islands, 27 March 1935. The cyclone destroyed 20 luggers and drowned 141 men. [LW]

John S. Lane. Pearling vessel, 82 ton. Damaged beyond repair in a cyclone (along with about forty others lost or damaged), at Ninety Mile Beach, WA, 22 April 1887. More than 140 people died in the cyclone.  [LW]

Julia. Cutter, 12 tons. Built 1876; reg. Fremantle. Wrecked north-west coast, WA, November 1892. [ASR]

Julia. Schooner. Lost while crossing Collier Bay, WA, on her way to Broome, 28 July 1918. [LW]

Kadna. Lugger. Foundered at the pearling grounds near Broome, 1902. One Malay crew member drowned.  [LW]

Karrakata. Lugger.Wrecked in a cyclone, north-west coast, WA, March 1912. [LW]

Karrakatta. Steel ship, 2091 tons. Built 1897; reg Fremantle. Lbd 300 x 42.2 x 17.6 ft.Adealide Steamship Co. Captain Tabboys. From Fremantle to Singapore, wrecked after striking an uncharted rock near Cape Leveque, King Sound, WA, 26 March 1901. A party which set out overland for help was forced to return to the wreck, and eventually the schooner Alto rescued the complement of 129 and landed them at Broome.
Gregory indicates she was lost when anchored off one of the coastal ports, above a pinnacle of rock; when the tide went out, she settled on the rock which punctured her hull.
[LW],[LAH],[DG]

Kartika 101. Indonesian longline fishing vessel. 33 metres. Disappeared off the north west WA coast late March 1991. A search by nine Australian aircraft failed to sight any of her crew of 21, but some debris was seen. [LW]

Kate Florence. Schooner, 12 tons. Built 1904; reg. Fremantle. Lost in cyclone, 27 March 1935. [ASR]
Also listed:
Kate Florence. Schooner. Lost in cyclone off the Lacepede Islands, WA, March 1938. [LW]

Kelander Bux. Wooden schooner, 140 tons; mother ship to the pearling fleet. Lost during a cyclone off Broome, 9 December 1908. [LW]

Kookie. Lugger. Wrecked in a cyclone, north-west coast, WA, March 1912. [LW]

Koolama. Steamship, 4068 tons. Built 1938. Owned by the Western Australian Government. Lbd 348 x 54.2 x 18.5 ft.  Captain Eggleston. After being attaacked by eight Japanese aircraft, sank bottom up in 20 metres of water beside the Wyndham jetty, WA, 2 March 1942. There is some controversy concerning the actions of the crew after the ship was initially bombed on 20 February and limped into Wyndham harbour. In January 1994 it was claimed that the 180 passengers and crew aboard her when she was lost were sworn to secrecy by Government officials, the official inquiry was a farce and a book written many years later was careful to avoid controversy. [LW],[LAH - motor vessel]

Kori. Schooner. Lost at Topper's Inlet west of Beagle Bay, WA, 1907. [LW]

La Grande. Pearling lugger. Went missing near Soldier’s Point, WA, during a cyclone, 5 December 1948. [LW]

Lady Loftus. Pearling vessel. Wrecked in a cyclone (along with about forty others lost or damaged), at Ninety Mile Beach, WA, 22 April 1887. More than 140 people died in the cyclone.  [LW]

Laura. Lugger, 15 tons. Lost while under tow near Cape Bossut, WA, 26 August 1940. [LW]

Le Grand. Pearling vessel. Wrecked in a cyclone (along with about forty others lost or damaged), at Ninety Mile Beach, WA, 22 April 1887. More than 140 people died in the cyclone.  [LW]

Leighton. Schooner, 13 tons. Wrecked near Broome, 27 April 1920. [LW]

Lugger No 4. Lugger. Lost in heavy weather off Broome, late February 1931. [LW]

Madge. Schooner, 12 tons.  Lost in a cyclone in the Broome - Port Hedland area on 17/18 April 1904.  [LW]

Maggie. Pearling vessel. Wrecked in a cyclone (along with about forty others lost or damaged), at Ninety Mile Beach, WA, 22 April 1887. More than 140 people died in the cyclone.  [LW]

Maikor. Lugger, 14 tons. Wrecked in a gale, Broome, WA, November 1925. [LW]

Manfred. Barque, 611 tons. Built Sunderland 1864. Lbd 152.4 x 30.4 x 19.3 ft. Ashore in a gale. Lacepede Islands, January 1879.  Parts of this vessel are visible at low tide and may be easily examined.  [LW]

Marguerite Lugger, 3 tons. Lost in Admiralty Gulf, WA, 1906. [LW]

Mariana. Schooner, 13 tons. Built 1903; reg. Fremantle. Lost in cyclone off WA coast 27 March 1935. [ASR]

Mars. Lugger. Lost at Broome, 1911. [LW]

Mary Ann. Pearling vessel. Wrecked in a cyclone (along with about forty others lost or damaged), at Ninety Mile Beach, WA, 22 April 1887. More than 140 people died in the cyclone.  [LW]

Mary. Cutter, 12 tons. Built 1868; reg. Fremantle. Foundered on north west coast WA, March  1889. [ASR]

Mary Smith. Schooner, guano carrier, 162 tons. Built  1869. Captain Cook. Ashore in a gale, Lacepede islands, off WA, February 1877. Refloated later. All crew saved.  [LW],[HH2]

Mary. Lugger. Wrecked in a cyclone, north-west coast, WA, March 1912. [LW]

Mascotte. Ketch, 13 tons. Built 1892; reg. Fremantle. Vessel lost in cyclone 27 March 1935. [ASR]

Mercury. Vessel type not recorded. Disappeared off the Western Australian coast in 1834. The schooner Monkey, and the government schooner Ellen searched the Ganthaume Bay region without success. [ASW1]

Meteor. Lugger. Lost off Broome, WA, 1905. [LW]

Mikado. Lugger, 12 tons. Wrecked at Broome, WA, 23 March 1918. [LW]

Mina (Miner). Auxiliary schooner, 84 tons. Built  Singapore 1903. Lbd 79 x 20.5 x 9.5 ft. Lost in Beagle Bay, WA, 24 January 1926. [LW]

Minilya. Schooner, 13 tons. Built 1902; reg. Fremantle. Vessel lost in cyclone 27 March 1935. [ASR]

Minnie. Schooner, 12 tons. Lost near Fitzroy River, WA,  4 February 1933. [LW]

Misty. Small craft, possibly fishing vessel. Wrecked near Beagle Island, WA, 30 July 1964.Two lives lost.  [LW]

Mo Lehnnon. Lugger, 12 tons. Lost near Broome, 24 May 1914. [LW]

Moa. Ketch, 12 tons. Lost near Broome, WA, during May 1915. [LW]

Monkey. Schooner. Searched the Ganthaume Bay, WA, region for the missing vessel Mercury, without success, September 1834. [ASW1]

Myra. Schooner, 52 tons. Built 1875. Lbd  64 x 17 x 7.3 ft.Wrecked ashore in cyclone, Lacepede Islands, off WA, 16 February 1884. [LW]

Nellie. Pearling cutter. Wrecked in a cyclone whilst anchored near Flying Foam Passage, WA, 1872. Two lives lost. Her remains were not found for several weeks. [LW]

New Moon. Schooner, 13 tons. Built 1903; reg. Fremantle. Vessel lost in cyclone, 27 March 1935. [ASR]

Nugarea. Auxiliary schooner, 143 tons. Built 1899. Lbd 107.1 x 23.9 x 9.2 ft. Wrecked on Buccaneer Rock near Broome, WA, 6 January 1917. Six crew drowned. [LW]

Onogra. Indonesian fishing boat. Lost in a cyclone after leaving Scott Reef, about 250 nautical miles north of Broome, heading for Roti in Indonesia, 16 April 1987. The master and ten crew were lost. [LW]

Orient. Schooner, 9 tons. Wrecked off Broome, WA, 3 January 1918.Three lives lost. [LW]

Osprey. Pearling vessel, schooner, 23 tons. Built 1882; reg. Sydney. Wrecked in a cyclone (along with about forty others lost or damaged), at Ninety Mile Beach, WA, 22 April 1887. More than 140 people died in the cyclone. She was found three months later lying in about 20 metres of water about twelve nautical miles from where she was last sighted over the pearling banks. [LW],[ASR]

Palao Maru. Auxiliary schooner, 150 tons, Japanese pearling mother ship. Foundered near Broome, WA, 12 July 1939. Crew of fourteen saved. [LW]

Pearl Hama 11. Wrecked on a reef during a voyage from Broome to, January 1990. [LW]

Pearl. Schooner, 65 tons. Reg. Sydney. Wrecked north west coast WA, October 1892. [ASR],[LW]

Pelican. Lugger, 13 tons. Lost near Broome, 1936. [LW]

Penola. Steamer, iron, 499 tons. Built 1863. When lengthened in 1885 and renamed Perth, her lbd was 192.1 x 22.5 x 12.6 ft. Wrecked off the north-west coat of Western Australia, September 1887. [LSS],[DG]
In 1865, under Captain Snewin, struck and sank ss City of Launceston, Port Phillip, Victoria.  [LV],[ASW1]
In 1865, a vessel of this name was involved in collision with Queen of the Thames,  Wilsons Promontory. [LV]

Perahu. Indonesian fishing boat. Lost in a cyclone after leaving Scott Reef, about 250 nautical miles north of Broome, heading for Roti in Indonesia, 16 April 1987. The master and four crew were lost. [LW]

Peter. Schooner, 11 tons. Built 1893; rg. Fremantle. Wrecked Kings Sound, WA, March, 1897. [ASR]

Prince Arthur. Barque. Captain R. Wills. Whilst loading guano at the lacepede islands, 125 km north of Broome, was hit by a cyclone. The Prince Arthur was the only vessel out of ten to have survived the ferocious storm which lasted for days, February 1877. Several vessels were later refloated. [HH2].

Ranger. Pearling vessel. Wrecked in a cyclone (along with about forty others lost or damaged), at Ninety Mile Beach, WA, 22 April 1887. More than 140 people died in the cyclone.  [LW]

Rapido. Barque, 303 tons. Built 1855. Lbd 128.3 x 25.5 x 16.1 ft. Stranded in Cambridge Gulf, WA, and was eventually condemned as a total loss, 1 February 1886. [LW]

Reliant. Small craft. Lost at Port Simpson, WA, 16 September 1971. [LW]

Robinson. Schooner, 12 tons. Built 1911; reg. Fremantle. Wrecked in cyclone 27 March 1935. [ASR]

Rosebud. Schooner, 12 tons. Built 1900; reg. Fremantle. Wrecked near Broome. Reg closed 1933. [ASR]
Also listed:
Rosebud. Small craft. Lost near Broome,  May 1933. [LW]

Roselle. Small craft, possibly fishing vessel. Lost near Beagle Island, WA, 28 November 1964. [LW]

Rover. Pearling vessel. Wrecked in a cyclone (along with about forty others lost or damaged), at Ninety Mile Beach, WA, 22 April 1887. More than 140 people died in the cyclone.  [LW]

Ruby. Pearling lugger. Lost during the great cyclone off Broome on 26-27 April 1908. Forty-four luggers were lost and some fifty lives. [LW]

S.P.S.  Schooner, 18 tons. Lost near Broome, December 1914. [LW]

Salutuan.  Lugger. Lost in heavy weather off Broome, late February 1931. [LW]

Sarah. Cutter, 26 tons. Built 1874. Lbd 48.2 x 14.5 x 6.2 ft. She was being towed as a barge loaded with timber and without a crew when rough seas broke the tow about 100 nautical miles from King Sound, WA, and was not seen again, 27 August 1886. [LW]

Sea (Star) Queen. Believed lost near Broome, Wam 1907. [LW]

Sedco Helen. Motor vessel, 837 tons. Registered Panama. Foundered in Joseph Bonaparte gulf, north-west WA, 31 January 1970. Nine lives lost. A buoy used to anchor the oil-drilling rig Sedco 135G had fouled the propeller and ripped a hole in the tug's stern, allowing the sea to rush in. [LAH]

Snipe. Schooner, 9 tons. Lost near Broome,  March 1925. [LW]

Spinifex. Small craft. Lost at Broome, WA, 8 March 1920. [LW]

Star of Jamaica. Guano vessel. Lost in a ferocious storm that lashed the Lacepede Islands, 125 km north of Broome, February 1877. Ten vessels were lost; the only one to survive ws the barque Prince Arthur. [HH2]

Star of the West. Schooner, 24 tons.  Lost in a cyclone in the Broome - Port Hedland area on 17/18 April 1904.  [LW]

Start. Cutter. Believed losst in the vicinity of the Lacepede Islands, January 1877 [LW]

Steady. Lighter. Wrecked in a cyclone, north-west coast, WA, March 1912.  [LW]

Stine. Schooner, 14 tons. Wrecked in Beagle Bay, WA, February 1905. [LW]

Streeter. Lugger. Burnt at Broome, WA, 15 June 1964. [LW]

Surprise. Cutter, 28 tons. Wrecked on the WA north west coast,  4 November 1883. [LW]

Swan. Lugger. Lost near Broome, WA, 1876. [LW]

Sybil. Schooner, 12 tons. Lost at Broome, WA,  during January 1917. [LW]

Sylvia. Pearling lugger. Lost during the great cyclone off Broome on 26-27 April 1908. Forty-four luggers were lost and some fifty lives. [LW]

Tana Dolphin. Ketch, 15 tons. Wrecked in a gale, Broome, WA, November 1925. [LW]

Tersita. Mission schooner. Lost in Napier Broome Bay, 1955. [LW]

Thelma. Lugger. Disappeared between Fremantle and Broome, 1903. [LW]

Tommy. Lugger, 7 tons. Lost between Beagle Bay and Broome, WA, February 1901. [LW]

Tung Yuan No.9. Taiwanese trawler. Believed foundered off the WA north west coast c. 29 July 1982. Some wreckage was sighted a few days later, and apparently one member of the crew was rescued by another Taiwanese trawler. [LW]

Una. Lugger, 15 tons. Wrecked at the Lacepede Islands, WA,  2 February 1903. [LW]

Vanduara. Pearling schooner. Lost during a cyclone off Broome, 9 December 1908. Some fifty lives were lost during the cyclone, the second tragedy for the pearling fleet this year; for weeks bodies washed ashore among the mangroves near the mouth of Dampier Creek at Broome.  [LW]

Vanduara. Schooner, 15 tons. Lost off North Western Australia, December 1908. [LW]

Verona. Lugger, 10 tons. Lost off the north west WA coast during June 1904. [LW]

Vivian. Pearling schooner. Lost during a cyclone off Broome, 9 December 1908. Some fifty lives were lost during the cyclone, the second tragedy for the pearling fleet this year; for weeks bodies washed ashore among the mangroves near the mouth of Dampier Creek at Broome.  [LW]

Vivian. Schooner, 15 tons. Lost off North Western Australia,  December 1908. [LW]

Vixen. Wrecked in a cyclone, WA, September 1873. [LW]

Waitangi. Lugger, 12 tons. Disappeared in Carnot Bay about 150 kilometres north of Broome, late July 1937. Three crew lost. [LW]

Wanderer. Lugger. Lost in Roger’s Strait, north of Derby, WA, 1911. [LW]

White Ant. Lugger. Possibly wrecked on a sandbar north of Cape Baskerville with the loss of several lives., 1936 [LW]

White Heather. Lugger 12 tons. Lost in a cyclone on the north west coast of WA, late  1899. [LW]

Yarra. Barque, 482 tons. After loading at Lake Island in the Gulf of Carpentaria, set out for Falmouth but was wrecked during a storm on Scott Reef, a coral shoal in the Buccaneer Archipelago near King Sound, Western Australia, 15 January 1884. The mate and four seamen were landed at Cassock, Western Australia, on 6 March but the fate of the others is uncertain. [ASW6]

UNIDENTIFIED

Unidentified.Middle Island in the Recherche Archipelago. 1802. During his circumnavigation of Australia Matthew Flinders discovered part of a ship's deck on the island. [LW]

Unidentified. Commander Stokes in H.M.S.Beagle discovered wreckage from a ship on an island at the entrance to Camden Sound, WA, 1838. [LW]

Unidentified. Lugger. Wrecked on a sandbar north of Cape Baskerville with the loss of several lives. Was she the White Ant? [LW]

Unidentified. Launch. Lost with an oil search party aboard during a cyclone off north Western Australia in mid March, 1922. [LW]

Unidentified. At least three Indonesian fishing boats were sunk and many others damaged after a cyclone cut through the rich fishing grounds about 150 nautical miles off the north west WA coast on 20 April 1989. None of the boats carried radio but apparently the crews of the vessels were rescued. [LW]
 



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