Penguin (6022)

Middle Island, Recherche Archipelago

Penguin was a ketch-rigged steamer built by Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Co. Ltd for the Government of Western Australian. Launched in March 1897, it had one deck and five bulkheads, and had been cemented. The engine, a triple expansion compound steam engine, had been built by the ship builder, and the vessel was fitted with electric lights. It had a fore peak water ballast tank which held 45 tons. The steamer was used for survey work, rescue and salvage operations.

During World War I the Penguin had been used as a coastal patrol vessel under the name of HMAS Gannet, reverting to its previous name after the war. In 1920 it was carrying out a fishing survey of the Esperance archipelago and the Great Australian Bight. Penguin had undergone a refit during which it was fitted with ‘an insulated fish room, in which the fish will be stored in ice and periodically conveyed to Albany for disposal’ (West Australian, 7 June 1920: 5a). The fish caught were to be sold in Albany and other country towns, or taken to Perth if the catch proved too big for local sales. It was under the command of Captain T.S. Talbot with a crew of fifteen, and also on board was Captain Feltham, an experienced North Sea trawling master. The Penguin departed Fremantle on 5 June 1920 for Albany, arriving in the early evening of 13 June. The vessel then left on an exploratory survey of the seas off the south coast. The vessel was insured for £6 000.

THE LOSS
A gale struck the Penguin when it was some 90 miles offshore. As no headway could be made in the rough seas Captain Talbot took the steamer in towards the mainland and dropped anchor. The wind was, however, found to be still too strong and he decided to seek shelter in Goose Island Bay on Middle Island, some 15 miles away. Here the ship anchored with 30 fathoms (55 m) of chain out only 1½ cables (274 m) from the shore. The heavy rain and gale force winds continued, with a steadily falling barometer. About 4.30 p.m. on 27 June the wind changed direction and the Penguin, with a full load of fish (including two tons of snapper) on board, was blown onto a reef. One of the members of the crew related what happened next:
The one serviceable boat was launched, and two members of the crew got in and attempted to reach the shore, about 50 yards off, but they had to swim half-way owing to her capsizing. The boat was on a line from the ship, and was pulled back, and some of the men got ashore in her. Some clothing was then sent off, but the first load was capsized. The mate came ashore with only his pyjama suit and his dog, and other men lost portion of their gear. At about 10 o’clock at night it got too rough for any more men or food to come off to the shore, and those who remained on the ship (about six) stayed there for the night in the driest places they could find. The ship’s stern was below water and her bows were up. The men on shore spent the night in a blizzard, unprotected except for wet blankets. About 6 o’clock next morning we got a few more things off, and more of the crew came ashore (West Australian, 17 July 1920: 6f).

The crew made a camp from a sail and set a watch on the hill to look out for any passing vessels. The steamer Eucla was en route from Eucla to Albany when at 11.30 p.m. on 1 July a fire was noted on Middle Island. This was a flare the crew had set using some kerosene salvaged from the wreck. The Eucla anchored, and sent a boat ashore to investigate. The Eucla stood by all night, and the following morning an inspection of the Penguin showed it to be lying with its bow on the edge of a reef off the beach at the Goose Island Bay anchorage, with the stern badly holed and sunk. It was obvious that nothing could be done to salvage the Penguin, so (with the exception of the mate, a fireman and a seaman left to guard the wreck) the crew and their personal belongings were taken on board the Eucla which sailed for Albany, arriving later that day.

INQUIRY
A Court of Inquiry into the loss of the Penguin was held in Perth. On 19 July 1920 Captain Winsar, the chief harbour-master, stated:
In my opinion no blame is attachable to the engine-room staff, but the master – Captain T.S. Talbot – committed an error of judgement in anchoring so close to the shore, and not giving more consideration to the weather conditions and falling barometer. I recommend however, that no further action be taken under the Navigation Act 1904 (West Australian, 19 August 1920: 7b).

INITIAL SALVAGE
The Government claimed from the underwriters and were paid the £6 000 sum insured for the loss of the Penguin. The State then purchased the wreck for £1 000 and sent a salvage crew, including divers, on the State owned steamer Eucla to the wreck. The Eucla made a number of voyages to the site to collect salvaged material, including the trawling gear which was retained by the Fisheries Department for possible future use. The other salvaged gear was expected to sell for £2 000.

Further work on the wreck was considered to be unprofitable and the Government called for tenders to purchase the wreck of the Penguin. The highest tender of £50 was not accepted, and the wreck was put up for auction. This was even worse as the highest bid was only £1, so private negotiations were commenced.

The partnership of S. Richards and J. Mackenzie paid the government £20 for the salvage rights to the wrecked Penguin. Commencing in October 1921, they were left on Middle Island with supplies sufficient for six weeks. However, it was some twelve weeks before they were finally picked up, having lived on sea birds, wallabies and fish after their food ran out. In January 1922 their work was completed, and the salvaged material removed from Middle Island. What then remained at the site was part of the hull and some engine machinery.

SITE LOCATION
The top of the boiler and a section of the hull (probably part of the stern) project above sea level close to the shore, and provide the best indication of the site of the wreck of the Penguin.

EXCAVATION AND ARTEFACTS
Two portholes from the wreck of the Penguin are on display at the Esperance Museum.