‘Colina’, 1865

The ‘Colina’ was a timber-carrying schooner that had been built near Melbourne in 1847.

On 13th July 1865, laden with wood and carrying a crew of five, she was wrecked at the entrance to Wagonga Inlet. Her captain at the time, Captain R. Birch, recalled ‘As the schooner Colina was crossing the bar at Wagonga, on the 13th instant, with a strong breeze from the southward, the wind suddenly died away. The anchors were at once let go, but the sea rolling in would not allow them to hold, and she drove on the north spit; hopes were entertained of getting her off that night, but the sea increasing, she went to pieces. Her spars, sails and gear are saved.’ All the crew landed safely.

Twelve years earlier, at night on June 28th 1853, the ‘Colina’ had sunk whilst on a short voyage across Corio Bay (on the western side of Port Phillip Bay) when she was transferring cargo from Point Henry to Geelong. On that occasion, she had set out in a light breeze but was struck by a sudden squall and she capsized. A cabin boy was below decks at the time and lost his life. Four other members of the crew and the only passenger on board survived. The vessel was raised and was returned to service.