Mystery (1870/12/25)
Butchers Inlet
The Mystery is a famous vessel for its role in the exploration and discovery of the north-west coast. Purchased by pioneer pastoralist and entrepreneur Walter Padbury, under Captain Peter Hedlund (Hedland) the Mystery was used for first survey of Tien Tsin Harbour (also known as Port Walcott) in 1863 conducted by Surveyor C.C. Hunt, and Mystery Landing later became the town site of Cossack, the first port in the north-west. Captain Hedlund also discovered Mangrove Harbour, later named Port Hedland. During this voyage the Mystery carried Aboriginal prisoners from Rottnest Island (Withnell-Taylor: 27-28)
In 1870 the Mystery was owned by Kenneth McLean, farmer of Port Walcott and was used in the pearling industry based out of Cossack. There is no record of the Mystery since 1870 and the Register was closed in 1908 (Parsons 1971).
Henderson records that the Mystery was blown ashore in 1870 but was refloated in March (Henderson 1998:93)
Cutter rigged, one mast, round stern, one deck
Ship Built
Country Built Unknown
Port Built Fremantle
When Built 1857
Ship Lost
Grouped Region North-West
Sinking Blown ashore but later refloated
Deaths 1
When Lost 1870/12/25
Where Lost Butchers Inlet
Cargo Shell
Ship Details
Engine N
Length 13.30
Beam 4.50
TONA 16.82
Draft 1.70
Museum Reference
Official Number 40480
Unique Number 1539
File Number 4/79
Chart Number 327
Protected Protected Federal
Found N
Inspected N
Confidential NO