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Tasmanian Seafarers' Memorial
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FV Bernadette (1964)
The plaque reads ...
F.V.'Bernadette'
Built by J. Jones, Triabunna in 1947.
Left Apollo Bay, Vic. March 1964 for
area
near Reid's Rock, S.E. of King Is.
to catch crayfish for Easter market.
28.03.64 wreckage found Coloumb Bay
Three Hummock Is. Souls lost were
Master Sholto Gordon Douglas (45)
John Trevar (35), John Warren (16)
The fishing vessel Bernadette was built by Jim Jones, Triabunna in 1947 as the Minnamurra for Keith and Neil Parker. Subsequently the vessel was sold and renamed.
In early March 1964, the Bernadette left Apollo Bay, Victoria on a crayfishing trip to an area around Reid's Rock, south-east of King Island with three crew members, the master, Sholto Gordon Douglas (45), John Trevar (35), and John Warren (16).
They were expected to return in time to catch the Easter market, but failed to return by Good Friday, the 27th March. Fears began to be held for their safety. Nothing had been heard from the crew since a radio conversation with another boat about mid-March. After a day long search by several fishing boats and aerial sweeps by two aircraft no trace of the men was ever found.
On March 28th, wreckage of the stern of a wrecked fishing boat believed to be the Bernadette was found in the sand at Coulomb Bay by the son of the lessee of Three Hummock Island. The wreckage was taken to Hobart where it was formally identified as of the Bernadette.