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Tasmanian Seafarers' Memorial
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G.V.H. ketch (1895)
The plaque reads ...
Ketch 'G.V.H.'
Sailed Launceston for Furneaux Group
with stores, mail. Capt. James Milligan
Swedish deck hand Oscar Eckland
Passengers - Mrs. Elizabeth Ferguson,
Miss Pauline Garrett, Mr Adam Newitt
Last sighted off Cape Barren Island
where was wrecked on Bung's Point
13.10.1895 ~ all perished
The ketch G.V.H of 14 tons, was built at Formby, River Mersey, Tasmania, in 1886 and owned by William Holyman & Son. (The initials G. V. H., stood for Grace Victoria Holyman, Thomas Holyman's wife).
The ketch was crewed Captain Milligan and his Swedish deckhand, Oscar Eckland. Sailing from Launceston for the Furneaux Group with stores, mail and three passengers, the vessel was last seen off Cape Barren Island on the 13th October, 1895 – 120 years ago. Wreckage and the bodies of all on board were found near Bung's Point along the western side of the island. One of the locals had seen the vessel approaching rocks about a quarter of a mile outside Whale Rock and it was presumed that she failed to clear all the rocks.
The inquest jury returned the following verdict:-"We find that Elizabeth Ferguson, Pauline Garrett, Adam Newitt, James Milligan, and Oscar (other name unknown) met with their deaths through being on board the G . V . H . when she was wrecked on Bung's Point, Cape Barren Island, on the evening of Sunday, October 13, 1895; and we further are strongly of opinion that a Marine Board enquiry should be instituted in the interests of public safety for the future."
Later the unknown man's name was found to be - Oscar Eckland, a native of Sweden.
The Launceston Examiner newspaper reported the coroner's findings on 22 November 1895.
The G.V.H. had a lucky escape from serious damage in an earlier incident. The Wellington Times and Agricultural and Mining Gazette reported on 7 May 1895 that:
"The s s. Koonya when coming up the river on Saturday, ran into the ketch G.V.H, lying at anchor in the boat channel. The Koonya struck her port quarter doing damage to the extent of about £5. Captain Madden noticed the ketch in time and after getting clear he went aboard but found no one in charge, master and crew being on shore. The ketch had no lights burning. A (sic) inquiry is to be held by the Marine Board."