Ione (1907/08/04)

Near Port Gregory

Ione was built speculatively by Charles Watson at his boat building yard at Mount Eliza. It had one deck and an oval stern. Passed over by the Government for whom Watson had built many craft, it was purchased by John Bateman. In October 1879 a severe squall drove the schooner into the Bunbury jetty, badly damaging the stern and finishing up on the beach. The damage was repaired and the vessel returned to service. By 1880 the Ione was being used in the pearling industry. Bateman later sold the Ione to Florance Broadhurst, guano merchant of the Abrolhos Islands.
G.F. Preston purchased the vessel in June 1907. He planned to use it to carry copper ore from Cossack to ships anchored at Balla Balla, from whence the ore would be sent overseas. The Ione under the command of Captain W.H. Lane and with a crew of three sailed from Champion Bay on 1 August 1907 on its delivery voyage to Cossack. The northbound cargo consisted of furniture belonging to Lane for his house in Cossack, and some fodder. The value of the cargo was £50.
THE LOSS
On 2 August while off Port Gregory a northerly wind badly strained the rigging and opened seams in the hull. Although taking in water there appeared to be no immediate danger, so Lane turned and headed back towards Champion Bay to have repairs effected there. By the night of 3 August the vessel had opened up more, and the pumps were not coping. On the morning of 4 August the pumps choked, and Captain Lane decided to abandon ship. The crew took to the Ione’s 3-m dinghy. At this time they were some eight miles from Point Moore. After rowing in heavy seas for four hours they made the coast about three miles north of Geraldton. The dinghy capsized in the surf but all the crew made land safely.
INITIAL SALVAGE
Nothing was saved from the Ione, which was not insured.