Sea Prince (1932/04/23)
Dongara
F. Placanica owned the Sea Prince, which was very similar to Clonen, a lugger purchased by Felice Travia from Dennis Ahearn. It could be assumed that the Sea Prince, which was the same length, and had the same rig and skylight as the Clonen, was probably built by the same boat builder and was in all probability a former pearling lugger. Alfred Edmund Brown built the Clonen and almost certainly built Sea Prince as well. At the time of wrecking the Sea Prince was skippered by Tony Placanica, son of the owner.
THE LOSS
Sea Prince dragged its anchor and went ashore on the east coast of Beagle Island. The cabin and part of the deck were found washed up on the beach half a mile from Dongara. Gaetano Travia, who had taken over the Clonen from his father, identified the wreckage by examination of the skylight. Fear was held for the safety of the crew but they were later found safe, and brought to Geraldton by the fishing boat Clare.
Ship Built
Owner F. Placanica
Master Tony Placanica
Ship Lost
Grouped Region Mid-West
Sinking Strong easterly wind while vessel at anchor
Crew 3
When Lost 1932/04/23
Where Lost Dongara
Ship Details
Engine N
Length 12.20
Museum Reference
Unique Number 535
Sunk Code Wrecked and sunk
File Number 115/80
Chart Number A 752
Protected Protected Federal
Found N
Inspected N
Confidential NO