The Workington , No. 32,476, was a brig of 150 tons register, and was owned by Mr Dyer, of Sydney, who was a passenger on board at the time of the casualty.
Otago Witness February 21st 1857 page 3 Shipping News Wreck of the brig "Workington."
We regret to learn the loss of the brig Workington, 150 tons, from Melbourne for Bluff Harbour, with general cargo; she having experienced heavy weather in Foveaux Straits, and having six feet water in the hold, was ran ashore on Stewart's Island, where she became a total wreck. No lives lost. Mr Dyer, the owner, who was passenger by her, is now on his way to town.
Otago Witness Saturday March 14th 1857 page 4 Wreck of the "Workington."
"Left Melbourne 8th January; had very light winds and fine weather; arrived at Twofold Bay 16th, and weighed anchor again 20th; encountered light variable winds until afternoon of 21st, when we had a very heavy gale from E.S.E.; hove the vessel too under close reefed main-top-sail, vessel labouring very much, and making rather more water than usual; compelled to attended to the pumps twice an hour. 22nd, towards night, wind was moderate, from this time we had fine weather until 29th, when we had a strong breeze from S.S.W., and continued blowing fresh until 31st. 30th, at 10 a.m., as usual. two hands tried the pumps (as they have been attended to every hour since the last breeze) but to our surprise they could not get the water out; called all hands and set both pumps going, but did not succeed in getting the water out of the vessel until half-past two, when the weather and the shortest pump sucked.
About this time the Captain and Mate, who had been some time in the hold, discovered a hole in the vessel's bottom, through which the water was making; cut away the inner planking, and found that the leak was occasional by the rotting of a treenail, put a plug in the hole, stopped the leak, and half an afterwards the vessel was pumped out dry. 6 p.m., wind N.W., but rather light; pumps attended to every hour.
31st, sighted Solander's Island; strong breeze from S.W. Sunday, 1st February, tried the pumps at 3 a.m.; at half-past 3 no signs of pump sucking; called all hands, and set both pumps to work. The Captain with two hands went into the hold tried to discover the leak, whilst the rest of the hands kept the pumps going. 8 a.m., the starboard pump sucked once or twice; the Captain came on deck, said they had been all around the vessel, but could not discover the leak; thought it must be in the bottom under the cargo and ballast; went to breakfast two at a time, but still kept the pumps continually going. 9 a.m., sounded the pumps; 2 feet 6 inches water in the well. 10 a.m., sounded the pumps again, and to our horror I may say, found that the water was gaining on them fast. The wind, which up to this time had been fair, now hauled round to the N.E.; still kept the pumps going, but sorry to say they have not sucked since 8 o'clock 12 noon, 3 feet water in the hold; tacked and stood towards Twy-yanes Bay, determined to fetch Bluff if possible. 2 p.m. water gaining on the pumps fast, and wind fleshing from the N. Finding it impossible to keep the vessel afloat, and the men becoming exhausted from continual pumping, made up our minds to beach the vessel on the first convenient place, being the only means of saving our lives, or any portion of the vessel or cargo; squared away for Stewart's Island. Half-past 3 p.m. a heavy squall from the N.N.W. struck the vessel; she heeled over almost on her beam ends and took a quantity of water over her lee rail, carried away her top-gallant braces and sheets, spring her main top-mast and for-top-gallant-mast. 4 p.m., ran the vessel off a sandy beach to the south-ward of Smokey Cove, Stewart's Island.
From this date until 8th February, the weather was very boisterous and wet, the sea making a clean breach over the vessel; the crew was engaged whenever the weather was sufficiently fine, in saving the running gear and cargo.
"Left Melbourne 8th January; had very light winds and fine weather; arrived at Twofold Bay 16th, and weighed anchor again 20th; encountered light variable winds until afternoon of 21st, when we had a very heavy gale from E.S.E.; hove the vessel too under close reefed main-top-sail, vessel labouring very much, and making rather more water than usual; compelled to attended to the pumps twice an hour. 22nd, towards night, wind was moderate, from this time we had fine weather until 29th, when we had a strong breeze from S.S.W., and continued blowing fresh until 31st. 30th, at 10 a.m., as usual. two hands tried the pumps (as they have been attended to every hour since the last breeze) but to our surprise they could not get the water out; called all hands and set both pumps going, but did not succeed in getting the water out of the vessel until half-past two, when the weather and the shortest pump sucked. About this time the Captain and Mate, who had been some time in the hold, discovered a hole in the vessel's bottom, through which the water was making; cut away the inner planking, and found that the leak was occasional by the rotting of a treenail, put a plug in the hole, stopped the leak, and half an afterwards the vessel was pumped out dry. 6 p.m., wind N.W., but rather light; pumps attended to every hour. 31st, sighted Solander's Island; strong breeze from S.W. Sunday, 1st February, tried the pumps at 3 a.m.; at half-past 3 no signs of pump sucking; called all hands, and set both pumps to work. The Captain wand two hands went into the hold tried to discover the leak, whilst the rest of the hands kept the pumps going. 8 a.m., the starboard pump sucked once or twice; the Captain came on deck, said they had been all around the vessel, but could not discover the leak; thought it must be in the bottom under the cargo and ballast; went to breakfast two at a time, but still kept the pumps continually going. 9 a.m., sounded the pumps; 2 feet 6 inches water in the well. 10 a.m., sounded the pumps again. and two our horror I may say, found that the water was gaining on them fast. The wind, which up to this time had been fair, now hauled round to the N.E.; still kept the pumps going, but sorry to say they have not sucked since 8 o'clock 12 noon, 3 feet water in the hold; tacked and stood towards Twy-yanes Bay, determined to fetch Bluff if possible. 2 p.m.. water gaining on the pumps fast, and wind fleshing from the N.
Finding it impossible to keep the vessel afloat, and the men becoming exhausted from continual pumping, made up our minds to beach the vessel on the first convenient place, being the only means of saving our lives, or any portion of the vessel or cargo; squared away for Stewart's Island. Half-past 3 p.m. a heavy squall from the N.N.W. struck the vessel; she heeled over almost on her beam ends and took a quantity of water over her lee rail, carried away her top-gallant braces and sheets, spring her main top-mast and for-top-gallant-mast. 4 p.m., ran the vessel off a sandy beach to the south-ward of Smokey Cove, Stewart's Island. From this date until 8th February, the weather was very boisterous and wet, the sea making a clean breach over the vessel; the crew was engaged whenever the weather was sufficiently fine, in saving the running gear and cargo."
March 7 1857 page 4 Sale by Auction
Messrs. W.C. Young & Co, have received instructions to Sell by Suction, on Thursday next, the 12th instant, at their Store, Dunedin, (for the benefit of whom it may concern), The Brig "Workington," of Sydney, 150 tons register, as she now lies on the beach near Smokey Cave, Stewart's Island, together with Anchors, Chains, Running Gear, Warp, Sails, &c. Also Cargo of the above vessel, the following portion of which has been saved and landed; 1 4-oared Pinnace with 2 oars and sails 12 cases Tobacco 9 do Pipes 10 Bags Biscuits 2 Chest Tea 2 Boxes do. 1 Box Candles 2 Casks Molasses 1 Jar Lime Juice, 10 gallons 3 Bolts Canvas 1 Bag Rice 10 Hhds. Ale 37 Bags Flour 2 bags Coffee 2 Cases Watches 1 Cask Vinegar 1 Cask Crockery 1 case do. 1 Hhd Brandy
All much damaged and broken. The purchaser of the foregoing portion to be entitled to the remainder of the cargo that may be saved. Dale to Commence at 1 p.m.
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