Shark (1939)

Henrietta Rocks, south east side of Rottnest

‘Launch in Trouble - Towed Barge Cut Adrift.
Because of a heavy swell between Rottnest and the mainland yesterday a barge
belonging to the Fremantle Harbour Trust destined to be sunk off the island had to be cut adrift from the launch which was towing it and allowed to wash
ashore at Porpoise Bay, Rottnest. The hawser which was being used to tow the
barge became tangled in the propeller of the launch, which was afterwards towed
to Thompson's Bay, Rottnest, and later back to Fremantle..
The launch Myrtle belonging to the Harbour Trust left North Wharf at 6.40
a.m. yesterday to tow the barge Shark to be sunk off Cape Vlaming, Rottnest.
By 11.30 the launch and barge had reached Parker Point, about four miles
from their destination. The swell was causing the hawser to slacken and tighten
as the barge rode the sea and, with the slackening, the line became entangled in
the propeller and could not be released. The launch was observed from Rottnest,
and a message sent by telephone to Fremantle. The Harbour Trust tender, Ivanhoe, then put out to render assistance. In the meantime, however, the Myrtle
had sent the barge adrift and had been towed into Thompson's Bay by the 30ft.
launch Solstraale, belonging to Mr. G. L. Kennedy, who was on a holiday trip to
the island. The barge drifted on to the beach at Porpoise Bay, one and a half
miles east of Parker Point and there it will probably find its last resting ground.
The Ivanhoe left Rottnest with the Myrtle in tow at 5.50 p.m. and arrived at Fremantle at 7.55.’ (The West Australian, 11/2/1939 p.22)