 |
Tasmanian Seafarers' Memorial
|
 |
Charlotte (1843)
The plaque reads ...
'Charlotte'
Ex-colonial government cutter 29 tons
sailing Sydney to Hobarton. Stranded
28.08.1843 in heavy east coast gales
at Four Mile Creek south of Falmouth
with 9 on board and cargo of sundries.
Master R.W.Richards and one crewman
swept away when line to shore broke.
To the Editor of the Colonial Times.
Temple Stowe, East Coast,
August
29, 1843.
Sir, I regret to inform you that the cutter Charlotte, Captain Richards, from Sydney, came on shore at a place called the Four Mile Creek, five miles to the southward of Falmouth, St. Patrick's Head, and became a total wreck, accompanied by the melancholy loss of Captain Richards and one of the men. Mrs. Richards and her little infant, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, and the rest of the crew (three men), were saved. The sad catastrophe took place on Monday morning about four o'clock. The unhappy survivors, especially the ladies, were almost without clothing ; and after traversing the bush the whole of Monday, they fortunately had a few matches, which enabled them to have a fire. They were obliged to remain all night. The following day the party again started ; and about mid-day, when they were almost giving up all hopes of reaching any settler or hut, and quite exhausted, they accidentally fell in with my bullock driver, in quest of some cattle, who conducted them here. To describe their miserable looking appearance is impossible. As our duty, we administered all the comfort in our power; and I am happy to say, they will soon be able to proceed to Waterloo Point, to embark for Hobart.
The three seamen start tomorrow morning with the mail,
which they saved at the risk of their lives. I have given them a letter
to the police magistrate at Swansea, so that he can forward the mail
by land or sea, as he may think fit. May I beg of you to insert the
above for general information.-I am. Sir, your most obedient servant,
James
Hume.