Built as a whaler at Androssan, South Australia for D.A.Osborne, Melbourne.
Launched under the name MARY HAMILTON.
Tonnage 217 gross., dim. 125.5 x 22.9 x 12.1ft.
Barque rigged.
1857 completed, homeport Melbourne.
On a 12 month whaling cruise she called at Norfolk Island on 19 April 1873 for fresh stores and water. At that time she did have on board 52 barrels of whale oil, and a crew of 29 and 1 passenger.
After arrival at Cascades Bay her master Frederick Alleyne Barker went ashore, and command was handed over to the chief officer, who sailed her around from the Bay to Emily Bay.
She struck a rock about eighty yards off Nepean Island, bilged and began to sink, at that time there was a light north westerly wind.
Jacob Christian, a local resident, summoned the islanders who took turns at the pumps until she was run ashore near the jetty.
Her remains were sold for £6 10sh., she was valued at £7.400.
Two days later a heavy surf split her in two; the 52 barrels were before landed, and taken on board the whaler IVANHOE and brought to New Zealand.
Her ships bell is used by the Norfolk Island school and an anchor on display near the Norfolk hotel could have originated from the wreck.
In the Court of Inquire it was found that the master did not get any blame for the loss of the ship, but the chief officer was blamed, but he not holding a certificate no further proceedings could be taken.
Norfolk Island 1982 40c sg 290.
Source: Log Book. Australian Shipwrecks Volume 3 by Jack Loney. Some web-sites