Shipwreck Databases Western Australian Museum

Crest of the Wave (1870/12/25)

Butchers Inlet, Cossack

‘The Residency was denuded of plaster, and the walls in
some places washed away, the flag staff cast down, the lockup unroofed, the stable prostrated, the verandah to the police station brought to the ground, and a cottage lately occupied by p.c. Glover destroyed. At the Lower Landing, inside Butcher's Inlet, hitherto considered a place of safety, the pearl boat Crest of the Wave disappeared with her crew of two men, H. Howard and E. Percival, and is supposed to have been carried out to sea ; the poor men were heard
halloaing in tbe darkness, but nothing could be done for them. The pearl boats
Pilot and Bonnie Dundee foundered...On the 26th p.c Glover went to the Lower
Landing to obtain particulars relative to events during the gale. He returned yesterday. His report is, I am sorry to say, confirmatory of that previously received as regards the two missing men, and we have no reasonable ground
of hope. Howard was heard calling out, and was told to run his boat ashore, but the wind was so high that it is not considered possible he could have heard what was said. The boat was not missed until daylight. A bag of clothes, some hatches, one of her anchors and two casks, were found at her mooring place, or on shore
abreast of that spot. About 330 yards down the Inlet Glover found her tiller, some hatches, a cask and aa empty case, all belonging to the boat. Glover searched the banks of the creek to the Point, and round North Bay. He also went up the creek in a boat, but saw nothing of the missing vessel or men. He believes she
was carried out to sea.’ (Inquirer and Commercial News, Wed 15/2/1871 p.2)

Ship Built

Ship Lost

Grouped Region North-West

Sinking During cyclone

Deaths 2

When Lost 1870/12/25

Where Lost Butchers Inlet, Cossack

Cargo Shell

Ship Details

Engine N

Museum Reference

Unique Number 72

Sunk Code Foundered

File Number 3/79, 4/79

Chart Number 327

Protected Protected Federal

Found N

Inspected N

Confidential NO