‘Bernard and Isabel’, 1875

This is the dramatic description in the ‘Kiama Independent’ (8th May 1875) of the loss of the ‘Bernard and Isabel’:

‘On Sunday morning last (2nd May, 1875) at 9.30am, the ketch Bernard and Isabel, which had been engaged in the coasting trade between Sydney and Shoalhaven for the past eighteen months, became a total wreck within the harbour of Kiama. One of those very severe easterly gales which generally prevail at this season…commenced on Saturday, and by Sunday morning had increased in violence to such degree that the harbour, which in its present state is by no means a sale refuge even in moderate weather, was so agitated as to cause uneasiness to the master of the two small vessels in port.

The master of the second vessel, the ‘Chance’, cutter, made an attempt at an earlier hour in the morning to get out to sea; and after running imminent risk, was obliged to put back to moorings and there endeavour to weather out the storm, which he succeeded in doing with the aid of some hawsers kindly lent him by the pilot of the harbour. There being but scant accommodation for two vessels, the master of the ‘Bernard and Isabel’ determined to try his luck - though, we are informed, he was strongly advised by pilot Tulloch not to attempt to get out.

His anxiety for the safety of his vessel, however, which was his own property and his sole means of livelihood, prevailed against the advice of our experienced harbour master, and he unfurled the sails, and left the moorings at about 9.20. The vessel being close hauled to the wind, on the starboard tack, he was unable to weather the western side of the harbour, and put about, sailing close under the breakwater. In making a second board across the harbour, she lost ground; and on reaching the western side again she had, consequently, not sufficient way on to go about, and missed stays, drifting on to the rocks.

She settled down with her starboard side against a shelf of rock, the tide ebbing at the time; and the raging sea battering her against it, she was soon smashed in and rendered a hopeless wreck.

A large number of townsmen and a couple of hands from the ‘Chance’, immediately rushed to the scene of the disaster, and worked for hours with commendable alacrity in assisting to save whatever was movable. In a couple of hours' time the deck was pretty well cleared of all valuables, the sails, rigging, the remaining chain cables (one having been sacrificed) and bowsprit cut away, after which the main masts was cut away and pulled by the helpers on shore over the land side of the vessel.

Two men engaged in this work on board - one a sailor from the ‘Chance’ and the other a labourer at the harbour works - displayed great daring in mounting the shrouds and cutting the sails away, etc., from the mainmast whilst the vessel was being knocked about by the sea - the spectators expecting every moment to see them either dashed against the mast or jerked off the rigging on to the rocks below.

The turning tide towards evening prevented any further work; and before night closed in she had broken up in the fore part, to a skeleton, though the stern, with the companion and mizzen mast undisturbed, still held together. The ‘Bernard and Isabel’, we understand was not insured, was valued at £450, having cost her owner, Bernard Gorman £400 and had come to port a few days
before with a cargo of timber, on account of Mr M’Arthur, of Shoalhaven, which fortunately, had been all landed.

This sad calamity has brought great distress upon a very steady, industrious, and trustworthy seaman for whom, no doubt, it is hard to think that his smart little craft will "plough the wave no more”.’