AUGUST TELLEFSON (1883-1898)
The August Telefsen with the Rockingham Jetty rebuilt through the wreck (photo: Sydney Heritage Fleet).
Description
AUGUST TELLEFSON (1883-1898)
Construction
Timber
Size
697 tons 43.7m length 9.2m beam 5.2m draft
Built
Norway, Port Tredestrand
Owner
C Wroidsen Master: Andrew Larsen
Sunk
27 January 1898
Location
Old small Rockingham Jetty
Latitude/Longitude
(-32.274458, 115.727302)
Sinking
The August Tellefsen had taken on board 143 loads of jarrah when the wind began to blow strongly from the north, increasing in strength, so the starboard anchor was let go and additional mooring lines put on. At 1.00 pm the anchors began to drag, the at the same time the forward mooring lines parted. The vessel, which had been bow on to the sea, swung round and drifted towards the Rockingham Railway and Timber Company’s jetty. Attempts were made to get the August Tellefsen away from the jetty. However this was unsuccessful, and at about 4.00 pm the Barque smashed through the jetty. It came to rest straddling the remains with its keel broken, a hole in the side of the hull and damage to the stern. No lives were lost.
Underwater
The jetty was rebuilt over the stricken ship to allow other ships to load. It probably deteriorated where it was. It is believed that parts of the keel still remain at the end of the old small Rockingham jetty.
Gallery
