‘Neptune’, 1856

The ‘Neptune’, a 15-ton ketch that had been built on the Brisbane Waters near Gosford in 1844, travelled to Kiama in November 1856 with a load of shells (possibly to be turned into lime).

She lay at anchor for several days, waiting for calm waters before starting to unload her cargo. However, on 10th November, ‘she parted from her anchors, and was driven against the rocks close to the jetty. Despite every effort to save her, she has become a total wreck.’

The vessel was not insured. The Kiama Correspondent of the ‘Illawarra Mercury’ observed that Mr E. Parks, both the owner and captain of the vessel, ‘is a poor man (and) this loss presses heavily upon him. It is to be hoped that the benevolence of the Kiama people will prompt them to contribute something towards his relief.’

The community responded, and a short time later it was reported that ‘£43 or thereabouts’ had been raised.