Perseverance (1845/02/28)
Koombana Bay
The cutter Perseverance was believed to have been built in NSW by Thomas Dillon. It had a square stern and was originally owned by James Graham, and registered at Sydney (No. 102/1841). At the time it was lost it was owned by Captain Daniel Scott, the harbour-master at Fremantle, and was at anchor at Bunbury taking on cargo.
THE LOSS
A storm struck the south-west of Western Australia on 28 February 1845. The Perseverance parted its anchor cable and was driven ashore, becoming a complete wreck. The cutter Antelope was overwhelmed during the same storm and a crewman drowned, but this vessel was later refloated and repaired (see entry).
On 21 Sept 1843 the Perseverance arrived at Koombana Bay carrying a cargo that included two casks each containing a bell, one for the Reverend John Wollaston’s church at Picton and one for the church at Bunbury, although both were initially to be hung at Picton ‘until one is wanted for Bunbury’ (Bolton, et al. 1992: 174 & 182). The Picton church of St Mark’s, built in 1842, is the second oldest church still standing in Western Australia.
Ship Built
Owner Captain Daniel Scott
Master Captain Daniel Scott
Country Built Australia
Port Built Crookhaven, NSW
When Built 1841
Ship Lost
Grouped Region Mid-West
When Lost 1845/02/28
Where Lost Koombana Bay
Ship Details
Engine N
Length 13.05
Beam 4.12
TONA 32.00
Draft 1.95
Museum Reference
Unique Number 331
Sunk Code Foundered
File Number 207/80
Chart Number A 334
Protected Protected Federal
Found N
Inspected N
Confidential NO