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Premier wreck

Used in the construction of Fremantle harbour. NB only registered vessel of this name was a riverine barge built in 1872 in Echuca (ON95997 and built for use by a sawmill maker. That register was closed in 1962 with ‘no trace of vessel or owner’.

Country Built Netherlands
When Built 1893

Engine N
TONA 69.00

When Lost 1938/03/29
Where Lost Rottnest Graveyard
Sinking Being towed and sunk
Sunk Code Scuttled

Museum Reference

wreck Premier
Protected Not protected
Found N
Inspected N
File Number 445/71
Chart Number 334
Confidential NO

Artefact information

Full information about the Premier
wreck	Premier
When Lost	1938/03/29
Protected	Not protected
Found	N
Inspected	N
Where Lost	Rottnest Graveyard
Position Information	Position of scuttling: 32° 04 – 115° 22
Engine	N
TONA	69.00
Country Built	Netherlands
When Built	1893
Sinking	Being towed and sunk
Sunk Code	Scuttled
File Number	445/71
Chart Number	334
Comments	Used in the construction of Fremantle harbour. NB only registered vessel of this name was a riverine barge built in 1872 in Echuca (ON95997 and built for use by a sawmill maker. That register was closed in 1962 with ‘no trace of vessel or owner’.
Sources	The West Australian 1938/03/09 It was anticipated that the dredge Premier, which has been in the hands of shipbreakers at Fremantle since the end of last year, would be towed out to sea and sunk yesterday morning, but her end has been delayed, probably until next week. It had been intended to sink her in the Straggler Reef, between Rottnest Island and Carnac Island, but the Federal authorities have notified the agents of the owner that she will have to be sunk in the recognised ship graveyard outside Rottnest. A launch was to have towed her to the Straggler Reef, but a more powerful vessel will be required to tow her to the graveyard. This will probably be the steamer Emerald which is not available for the purpose this week. In view of the high price of steel and scrap iron, surprise has been expressed that the hull should be sunk. Inquiries have revealed that all the easily removable machinery, including much cast iron, brass and copper, has been removed by the shipbreakers, and it is practically only the shell of the vessel that remains. In view of her age, it was considered that, despite the high price obtainable for the metal, the amount of steel that would be gained by breaking up the hull would not return the amount of money spent on the work. The West Australian 1938/03/30 A Dredge Goes to Her Grave. Carrying a miscellaneous cargo, including broken up parts of motor vehicle bodies which, like herself, had reached the end of their useful life, the old dredge Premier was towed from North Wharf by the steamer Emerald early yesterday morning to the graveyard of ships, about eight miles south-east of Cape Vlaming, Rottnest Island, and sunk. As the dredge passed out of the harbour mouth to oblivion, … The dredge had been in the hands of ship breakers for several months and all her easily removable machinery, including much brass, cast Iron and copper had been removed, leaving almost only the shell of the vessel. Her end was delayed for some time. About three weeks ago it was intended to sink her in the Straggler Reef, between Rottnest Island and Carnac Island, but the Federal authorities insisted that she be sunk in the recognised ship graveyard. She was about 45 years old. She came to Australia under her own power as a new dredge in 1893 and was first employed in the construction of Fremantle Harbour. Later she was stationed at other West Australian ports, and in May, 1930, she was laid up at Fremantle.
Confidential	NO
URL	http://www.museum.wa.gov.au/maritime-archaeology-db/wrecks/premier-1