Azelia (1887)
Cossack, Butcher Inlet
The 85-ton schooner Azelia (Official Number 61103), which had been trading out of Fremantle since 1871, suffered a number of mishaps during the early 1880s. In 1882, the vessel was purposely beached at Fremantle after parting its moorings. The owners, Marmion and McRae, decided later in the year that the vessel `which had proved so unfortunate on various occasions’, should be thoroughly repaired and fitted up for the pearling trade. By January 1883, the work was completed and, with Captain Brown, formerly of ELIZA BLANCHE in charge, the vessel was ready to load for the north-west.
On the 1 March Azelia set sail for Cossack, but was once again unfortunate, for about the 25th of the month the schooner ran onto a spit at the Fortescue River, straining itself badly, and carrying away the false keel. It was safely floated and after temporary repairs, was sent to Singapore to be completely repaired. In November of that year the Collector of Customs reported that the Azelia was trading between Cossack and Singapore.
Either the schooner suffered another, unreported, mishap during the following two years, or it simply became increasingly difficult to maintain in a seaworthy state. In 1885 it was sold as a wreck at Cossack to Bryan & Co, but in 1889 when the remains needed to be removed, no owners could be traced. The vessel was subsequently removed with explosives.
(Gregg et al. 2012)
Parsons records the Azelia was wrecked at Cossack in 1887 and register closed.
Ship Built
Owner Manning and McRae
Country Built WA
Port Built Fremantle
Port Registered Fremantle
When Built 1871
Ship Lost
Grouped Region North-West
Sinking Unseaworthy
When Lost 1887
Where Lost Cossack, Butcher Inlet
Port From Cossack, Singapore
Port To Cossack, Singapore
Cargo None
Ship Details
Engine N
Length 25.60
Beam 5.50
TONA 85.14
Draft 2.60
Museum Reference
Official Number 61103
Unique Number 419
Sunk Code Sank at moorings and wreck removed with explosives
File Number 443/71
Protected Protected State
Found N
Inspected N
Confidential NO