Loss of the Cataraque / Cataraqui

The barque CATARAQUI was built in 1840 by William Lampson at Québec, using Oak, Elm, Hackmatac, Birch & Red Pine. 138 x 30 x 22, 712 tons using old measurements and 802 tons using new measurements. Registered at Liverpool and owned by Smith & Son.

From British Parliamentary Papers 1846

Return to an Address of the Honourable The House of Commons,
dated 17 February 1846:-for,

"Copies of all Reports and Correspondence respecting the Loss of the Emigrant Ship 'Cataraque,' in Bass's Straits, in August last, having 369 Emigrants on board."

"Copy of the Report of the Officer at Liverpool, on the State of the 'Cataraque' before sailing from Liverpool in April 1845, and what the Length of Contract:-Whether the Captain and Mate had passed any Examination, and how long the Captain had been at Sea."

(Some of the correspondence is left out but the accounts of the voyage and the list of passengers are contained herewith.)

I also beg to report that, anticipating the approval of the Board, considerable progress has been made in the fitting of the "Cataraque;" the twixt decks I confidently expect will be quite complete in two days more, and the most of the water-casks are already stowed; in short, every thing will be ready this week for her to go into the river on Monday, and to sail on Tuesday the 15^th: she can legally carry 260 adults.

I had intended to cross over to Dublin to-morrow night, but as the "Cataraque" is in dock at the extreme south, which at the busy season of American emigration precludes the practicability of frequent visits concurring with Lieutenant Hodder in the propriety of the postponement, I purpose remaining here until Wednesday night, and in the meantime giving my special attention to this ship, which will them, I doubt not, be in all respects in a very forward shape.

She was submitted by the Messrs. Smith & Sons, of Liverpool, for approval, on the 11^th of March 1845, for the purpose of conveying to Port Phillip the residue of the emigrants they were entitled to send out under the Bounty Contract of 1843. On the 12^th of March, Lieutenant Henry, R.N., the Government Emigration Agent at Liverpool, was instructed "to make a strict and thorough examination of the vessel while in dock." He replied, by stating, on the 8^th of April that the ship "had had a thorough overhaul, and been found perfectly sound." On the same day, the owner transmitted the enclosed certificate of Lloyd's committee, showing that the vessel had been surveyed by their surveyor a few days before, and been placed on the first description of the first class for five years, from 1840, including, therefore the current year. Under these circumstances, the employment of this ship in the conveyance of emigrants on bounty was agreed to.

By the nature of the catastrophe, it will be perceived to have been one in which the seaworthiness of the ship is not brought in question. Being cast upon a reef of rocks, in the midst of what is described as a "fearful gale," with the waves running "mountains high," no vessel constructed by human skill could hold together. She struck at about 4½ A.M.; but it was not till 4 P.M. that she is said to have parted, nor does the destruction appear to have been complete till the next day. During the whole time, the published accounts represent the gale as continuing to rage.

Immediately on hearing a rumour of the vessel's having been wrecked, we requested Lieut. Hodder to inquire into the character borne by the master and chief mate; and we beg to enclose an extract containing his reply on this point, from whence it will be seen that no doubt whatever appears to exist of their competency and fitness in all respects for their trust.

The calamity is by far the greatest which has occurred to any emigrant ship within our recollection; and, indeed, it is the only occasion of any loss of life whatever from any similar cause in a ship carrying passengers at the public expense since the creation of an office for superintending this service in 1837. The number of vessels which have been sent out under direct Government inspection since that date has been 208, conveying 41,842 passengers. Deeply as the present event is to be deplored, we can only hope that it may appear from the foregoing statement, that it has not arisen from an omission of any of the precautions which could be taken in despatching the vessel on her voyage.

No. 2, White Lion-court, Cornhill, London,
8 April 1845

(L.8)

These are to certify that the barque "Cataraque," of Liverpool, Finlay master, (old measure, 712 - new measure 802) tons, bound to Port Phillip, has been surveyed by the surveyors to this society, and was reported to be on the 5^th April 1845 in a good and efficient state, and fit to carry dry and perishable cargoes, and that she has been classed in the register book of this Society on the list of ships of the first description of the first class, No. A. 1. for five years, from One thousand eight hundred and forty, subject to periodical survey,

"With regard to the competency of the captain of the 'Cataraque,' and the chief mate, not the slightest doubt is entertained, Captain Finlay being a very well known person for skill and competency, and was selected at high wages for this particular command, as well as the chief mate, Mr. Guthrie, who had himself been in command of ships.

"I enclose you Messrs. Brooke & Wilson's reply to my inquiry relative to Captain Finlay."

Liverpool, 5 February 1846.
Dear Sir,
In answer to your inquiry as to Captain Finlay, we beg to say that we always have had an high opinion of his honesty, sobriety and industry, which opinion was formed from actual experience; in addition to this we considered him to be an able seaman, fully competent to manage any vessel, and very far superior to many now in command.

Colonial Land and Emigration Office,
9 February 1846.
Sir,
With reference to our report of the 6^th instant, on the loss of the "Cataraque," we have the honour to transmit herewith the copy of a letter we have received from the Messrs. W. Smith, charterers of that vessel, confirming the general accounts already published, and also agreeing with the facts which we had the honour to state in our previous communication.

James Stephen, Esq.

We have, &c. (signed) T. Fredk Elliot C. Alexr Wood.

Liverpool, 6 February 1846
Sir,
It is our painful duty to communicate to you, for the information of Her Majesty's Land and Emigration commissioners, the total loss of the ship "Cataraque," Captain Finlay; and we grieve to add, that out of the entire number of passengers and crew, only one of the former and eight of the latter were saved. The accounts which appear in the papers, and which you have no doubt seen, correspond in every particular with those which have been transmitted to us, and render it unnecessary for us to detail them. The "Cataraque" was only 100 days out when this melancholy loss occurred. The emigrants were all in excellent health, and five infants only had died during the voyage. We are informed that the reef of rocks on which she struck is a most fearful one, rendering it impossible for any vessel which unhappily was driven on them to escape destruction in a gale of wind. Captain Finlay was a well-educated, steady and experienced person, who was strongly recommended to us by his former employers, Messrs. Brooke & Wilson, of this town. Both the first and second mates were also steady, experienced men, fully qualified for the duties they undertook.

Deeply regretting the melancholy nature of this communication,

Statement of Messrs. Smith & Sons, of Liverpool, respecting the
Loss of the "Cataraque."

Our attention has been directed to the letter of Commander Stokes, of the Royal Navy, which appeared in the "Times" of Monday last, relative to the loss of the "Cataraque" in Bass's Straits. To a certain extent we agree with Captain Stokes as to the inadequacy of the remuneration of masters of merchant vessels, yet we are satisfied that the censure will not apply to us in the present case. We agreed to pay Captain Finlay 15l 10s. per month, a gratuity of 50l. if he performed the voyage to our satisfaction, and he would in addition have received 40l. from Government on his arrival at Port Phillip. Captain Finlay was selected by us to command the vessel after a most careful inquiry as to his capabilities and character, and on both heads we received the highest testimonials from his former employers; he had previously gone as chief mate in an emigrant ship to Sydney, and subsequently and subsequently, for a period of about four years, commanded vessels in the South

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Recapitulation

Nominal List of Officers and Crew saved

Nominal List of the Officers and Crew of the Ship "Cataraque," who were drowned.

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