DIOCET: She was wrecked on 20 April 1873 when her anchor-chain parted and she drifted on the rocks of Cascade, becoming a total wreck.
When wrecked only eight cattle were on board.
Given as a schooner rigged ship.
All my research on this vessel was fruitless not any schooner DIOCET around 1873 was found, could also not find any wreck under that name on Norfolk Islands. I was wondering if the ships-name and date were correct, the date was correct but the shipsname not.
The name DIOCET is not the name of the ship wrecked on that date; but it was the DIAHOT at that time registered under French flag.
She was built by Captain Patterson on the Cam River, Tasmania for his own account.
Launched as the EMMA PATERSON, named after his wife.
Tonnage 69 ton, dim. 76 x 17.3 x 7.9ft.
Schooner rigged.
1868 Completed. Registered in Melbourne.
She was used on the eastern coast of the Australian mainland where her shallow draught was a advantageous to enter river estuaries and small shallow ports.
Early 1871was she in Queensland waters, sailed from Maryborough on 24 February and arriving at Sydney 12 March.
She remained at Circular Quay, Sydney for several weeks, before she commenced loading for New Caledonia.
02 April 1871 sailed from Sydney under command of Captain Edgard.
25 April 1871 she sailed again from Noumea bound for Sydney, some thirty miles off Noumea she grounded on a reef.
The five crew left the EMMA PATERSON in a whaleboat, only the captain stayed on board.
The five crew were lost at sea, but the captain was rescued, and the EMMA PATERSON was refloated.
Repaired in Noumea and renamed DIAHOT. (most probably also then registered in Noumea under French flag.)
After repair she became a regular trader between Noumea and Norfolk Island.
Then as given in the New Zealand newspaper Wellington Independent of 04 Pipiri (June) 1873.
The French schooner DIAHOT arrived at Norfolk Island on April 17 (1873), after a passage of fifteen days from Noumea. On the 19th, her cargo having been discharged she was anchored of the Cascades, taking in cattle, the weather being moderate and having every appearance of continuing so.
She remained at anchor for the night. Next morning there was little or no wind, with a cloudy sky, which continued to darken all day and evening, when there was every appearance change of weather-both wind and rain being prognosticated. At sundown it was a dead calm.
On board the schooner they were most anxious to get under way, and made every preparation to start (sail) with the first breeze; while waiting, heavy swells commenced heaving in towards the shore from the north-east. Towards morning, feeling a light breeze, they hove the anchor short and made sail, when the cable parted. The schooner at first headed off shore, but the breeze dying off, the swell carried her inshore, and in a very short time she drifted broadside on to the beach, when nearly every wave broke completely over her. Three the crew got safely ashore at once, one of whom hastened to the town with tidings of the accident.
The remainder of the crew got into the boat and remained in her outside of the breakers till daylight, when with the advice and assistance of the people on shore, they ran her in without much danger.
At daylight it was blowing strong right in shore with a heavy surf. Part of the sails, some cordage, compasses, chronometer etc. were saved. In the afternoon the wreck was sold at auction for the sum of £15 18s. The other articles which were saved were sold at auction in small lots, and realised in most cases their value. In the evening the wreck, though still holding together was very much shaken. By daylight next morning she had become a total wreck.
Norfolk Island 1982 27c sg288, scott294.
Source: Log Book. http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/A ... 009/3.html
http://paperspast.1982 27c sgnatlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=WI18730604.2.3.2&srpos=9&e=-------10--1----0DIAHOT--