Favourite (1858/01/15)

Abrolhos Islands, Wallabi Group

Official number: 40453 (Dickson, 1996) or 40468 (McKenna, 1959; T
Year built: 1855 (Dickson, 1996) or 1856 (McKenna, 1959; Totty, 1979; Henderson, 1988)
Built in Bunbury by Benjamin Jackson for John Morgan, a licensed victualler, and was intended for the coastal trade. It had one deck, a square stern and a scroll head. The vessel was sold to John Bateman on 20 February 1857. The Favourite was the first vessel to be registered under the British Shipping Act in Western Australia, No. 1 in 1856. There is confusion amongst researchers regarding some of the data relating to this vessel. While Dickson gives a date of building as 1855, Henderson and Totty give a date of 1856. As it was launched on 10 February 1856 the majority of the construction would have taken place in 1855, and the registration in early 1856.
Despite the sometimes conflicting data, it is obvious from the context that authors are reporting on the same vessel.
The Favourite had twice gone ashore before the final wrecking. In September 1856 it was stranded at Bunbury, but quickly refloated. On 15 January 1858 it struck a reef at the Abrolhos Islands, causing considerable damage. At this time it was owned by John Bateman who managed to have it refloated and repaired. The vessel continued to trade along the coast, often carrying guano from the Abrolhos Islands to Bunbury.
THE LOSS
While sailing out of Port Gregory through Hero Passage (Totty, 1979) or Gold Digger Passage (Henderson, 1988) the Favourite struck the reef where it quickly started to break up.
SITE LOCATION
Possibly on the outer tip of the reef forming the northern side of Hero Passage.
SITE DESCRIPTION
If the above location is correct, wreckage that has been found scattered among the rocks and reefs near Hero Passage is probably from the Favourite.
EXCAVATION AND ARTEFACTS
A number of artefacts have been sighted or recovered which are believed to have come from the Favourite. These include rudder gudgeons, timber and two old bottles with original contents still inside. The gudgeons are of the size with which Favourite would have been fitted, and while they, the timber and the bottles are not positive identification, it seems likely that the items came from the Favourite.