Commercial Journal and Advertiser Saturday

16 May 1840

SHIPWRECK

The Gale - Loss of the Dan O'Connell cutter

May 11 - It blew a tremendous gale all the night of Saturday. The steamer Maitland left port for Sydney, but was obliged to return, although she was unable to get into the harbour; it is supposed she has ran for Port Stephens, but nothing certain is known. The Dan O'Connell lost her mast off Bird island and found her way as far as Newcastle, under a pole rigged out as a jury mast. Yesterday (Sunday) she got upon the Sand Bank on the North Shore in endeavouring to get in, where she lay almost overwhelmed with the heavy surf, which was rushing in the whole of the day. Mr. Jackson went out in the life boat, succeeded in reaching her, but could scarcely approach for a long time; and by great perseverance succeeded in saving the crew, leaving the vessel to her fate, no boat being able to live in the heavy sea which surrounded her. The storm continued the whole of the night with unabated fury, and the morning presented the melancholy spectacle of the sloop a complete wreck. She had parted her anchors and got on shore nearly high and dry. The Government stores, powder etc washed away in various directions, and not an article of the crew's wearing apparel was saved. The place where she went on shore is about a mile north east of the spot where the King William the Fourth was wrecked. This morning the pilot and his men again visited the wreck , and found her literally in pieces. A guard of soldiers and prisoners are sent over to save what stores and property can be found.

Ten o'clock a.m. The storm increases accompanied with heavy showers; the sea running mountains high.

Six o'clock p.m. - the weather moderated since two o'clock; raining incessantly.

Tuesday morning seven o'clock - It rained a deluge during the whole of the night - "The windows of the heavens were opened"

Wind moderate at S.W. every appearance of more rain.