Loch Lomond (1910)

Loch Lomond (?-c1910)

Rig Type: Steam launch
Hull: Wood
Tonnage: 10
Date lost: c1910
Location: Princess Royal Harbour
Chart Number: WA 1083, AUS 109, AUS 118 & BA 2619
Protection: The site when found will be protected under the general provisions of the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976
Significance criteria: 3

THE VESSEL
The Loch Lomond was a steam launch purchased in early 1883 by Armstrong and Waters. As the vessel was not registered little is known regarding its specifications, however old photographs show it as having an elliptical stern. It was used as a tug and also to carry passengers to and from mail steamers. The Loch Lomond was licensed to carry 10 tons of cargo or 40 passengers. In October 1884 the launch underwent a refit:
Mr Alex Armstrong has improved his steam launch, Loch Lomond. The hull of the boat has been raised two feet all round and her sides thrown out about twelve inches, her engine and boiler moved three feet further forward, making more room aft for passengers and doing away with the fore cabin. Her additions do not diminish her speed but made her more seaworthy and will carry 50 passengers. The stern compartment is being roofed over and canvas sides are being added to give protection in all weathers. The shipwrights work has been performed by Henry Russell in a most satisfactory [manner?] at Oyster Harbour, where she has been laid up for the past couple of weeks. She will soon be ready to return to her harbour duties (Albany Mail, 14 October 1884 quoted in Dickson, 2012: 129-130).

When not on these duties it was used for picnic excursions and fishing trips. Sometimes as a tug it was used in conjunction with the Perseverance, owned by the Douglas family. The vessels were of a similar size.

THE LOSS
There are no details of the loss of the Loch Lomond. A photograph taken in 1912 shows the vessel partly stripped and lying on the rocks on the foreshore below Lawley Park. This was in front of Armstrong and Waters’ storage shed. The boiler was not removed, as it was known to lie half buried in the sand some three years later. The launch may have just outlived its usefulness, been stripped of anything of value and abandoned.

SITE LOCATION
The remains of the Loch Lomond lie buried beneath the landfill associated with the modern development of the port.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
SOCIAL (3)
The Loch Lomond was well known in Albany being one of the general purpose vessels used in the harbour during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

REFERENCES
Dickson, R., 2012, Maritime Matters of the South Coast of Western Australia: Every Known Maritime Incident from the Leeuwin to Eucla. Hesperian Press, Victoria Park.

Marshall, G., 2001, Maritime Albany Remembered. Tangee Pty Ltd, Kalamunda.

Western Australian Museum, Department of Maritime Archaeology, File No. 195/72.