Showing posts sorted by relevance for query safety. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query safety. Sort by date Show all posts

Wednesday 15 July 2015

From Disaster - One of First Pieces Safety Legislation in NZ

 
Sign indicating Site of Kuranui Battery - photo C R Ball 2010

Currently in New Zealand, the Health and Safety Reform Bill,   introduced in June 2015,   is being tracked through Parliament . One of the contributing reasons for this reform was the Pike River Coal Mine Tragedy of 2010. Another piece of Health and Safety Legislation - 140 + years after one of the first legislation pieces introduced in NZ. Then it  was the outcome of another mining disaster -  on the not long opened Thames Goldfields. Campbell in 1987  was to write the following:
“However in 1874 the Inspection of Machinery Act was passed, it no doubt stimulated by a fatal boiler explosion that had occurred on the Thames gold field”. (Campbell, 1987, p.13)
This was what came to be known as the Kuranui Boiler disaster which occurred at the Kuranui Company in one of the battery machines. The Kuranui Battery was close to the Shotover Mine - this Mine famous for the first major official discovery of gold on the Thames Goldfields. Both mining sites were close to the shoreline. 
The Shotover on Kuranui or Shotover Creek - Photo in
Grainger, John Thomas. The Amazing Thames. The story of the town and the famous goldfield from which it grew. Wellington: A.H. & A.W. Reed, 1951.

According to the Thames Miners Guide, one of the first crushing machine's was purchased, it was said , for £1500 from the firm of Fraser & Tinne by the Kuranui Company and erected in those early Thames Goldfields Days about November 1867. The Thames Miner's Guide wrote outlining Machinery on the Thames Goldfields: -

Kurunui Battery (late Fraser and Tinne's) of six stampers, and a one stamper specimen battery with Berdans at the end of tables to grind the tailings. The battery has three stampers in each box, double cams, quicksilver placed in battery boxes, grating perpendicular, with round holes. The copper-plate tables are about 12ft. long by 5ft. wide, and raised about 14in. above the blanket boards; a slide dividing them is raised about l 1/2 in. at the bottom. The blankets extend about 10ft. They appear to be ordinary grey blankets of a very inferior description. There is no appliance for saving the tailings, the sluice being only 10ft. long, terminated by a small tub. There are no amalgamators connected with this battery. The engine is powerful, and reflects credit upon the engineers, Messrs. Fraser & Tinne. Nevertheless, there is room for much improvement, to render the saving of the finer particles of gold complete." ( Thames Miners Guide, 1868) 
 
 The diagrams below shows what two stampers used to crush quartz rock looked like.

Stamp Mills in  Johnson, J.C.F. Getting Gold A Gold-Mining Handbook for Practical Men. http://www.gutenberg.org/files/43027/43027-h/43027-h.htm, 2013.

The disaster occurred on 24 January 1874, causing the serious loss of three lives. The Daily Southern Cross, after the accident, and after some of the evidence given in the inquest reported
 
 “The cause of the accident is briefly this, so, far, as it can be understood: The boiler had 'been repaired and cleaved about a week ago, land has only been at work five days. It was discovered today that a thick coating of saline deposit had crusted the iron in the crown of the boiler to a thickness of half an inch. This prevented the water from coming in contact with the iron, consequently the latter became red hot over the furnace, and owing to the pressure of the steam it collapsed, as much as the tension of the iron allowed, but when the utmost extent of its expansion - was" reached the iron rent along the seam." The consequence was that the steam and water together burst into the furnace and rushed through the flues, carrying death to the poor fellows.”( DSC 26/01/1874, p.3)

The three lives lost were those of Alfred Cook, Amalgamator, Kuranui Company. Richard Watson, crushing supervisor, Queen of Beauty Company. Matthew Paul, crushing supervisor, Crown Prince Company. In the aftermath of the disaster, the inquest with recommendations at its conclusion and concern for the safety of machinery on goldfields, rose in several quarters before, there were calls for action. Amongst these was that of Mr. John Sheehan, MHR.  The Wellington Independent reported that a Royal Commission appointed would be appointed to investigate the accident causes and to make recommendations. (Wellington Independent, 11/02/1874, p 2)
 Members appointed to the Royal Commission were Joseph Nancarrow, James Stewart and Charles O’Neill. All three had both practical and technical knowledge of boilers and steam machinery, Nancarrow being Colonial Chief Inspector Steamers and Stewart Inspector of Steamers Auckland – both with the then Marine Department. O’Neill formerly mining surveyor for the Thames goldfield and engineer-in-chief of railways, tramways and wharves and elected MHR representing Thames 1871 – 1875. 
Two of the Members  Appointed to the Royal Commission
 
By mid - March the work of the Commission had begun with the Daily Southern Cross reporting the official opening of the Royal Commission , Charles O’Neill Chairman of the Commission.
In what could be said to be a relatively short time for reports of this nature to emerge, the Daily Southern Cross in July 1874 (four months later) reported the result of “The Steam Boiler Commission” writing:-

“The Kurunui Boiler Accident Commission, in an elaborate report, say they are of opinion that such accidents can be prevented by a carefully revised and well balanced enactment. The Board of Trade system of marine inspection and tests for engineers they consider unsuitable. Rules for the examination ought to possess an elasticity which would be respectfully applicable to the goldfields as inapplicable to the Marine Engineer tests should be based on the nature of the work they have to perform.” (DSC, 04/07/1874, p 3) 
In the  Royal Commission Report to both Assemblies of the house the Commission's members concluded:-

"All the evidence points to sufficient water being in the boiler, and there is no reason for doubt on this point. The incrustation, then, we are assured, was the immediate cause of the collapse; and we have as little doubt that the incrustation was only the effect of undue saltness of the water in the boiler. This even those in immediate charge admit, although they state that they are unable to account for it. But the fact is incontestable, in our opinion ; and a careful study of the evidence, and an actual testing of the salinometer in use, together with calculations relating to the evaporation, feed, and blow-off of the boiler, lead, not to wonder that the salting took place, but to astonishment that it did not work its effect long ago." ( AJHR 1874 I, H-06)

Outlined also in the report  were recommendations for an Inspectorate system - their skills base, personal character qualities and work procedures in the field - duties.  By September 1874 the Inspection of Machinery Act was passed, providing one of the first pieces of New Zealand Occupational Health and Safety Legislation. The Star reported on the new Machinery Act.
“The Inspection of Machinery Bill passed through the Assembly during its last session is a valuable measure, supplying, as it does, a want that had for a long time/existed. The Act is in five principal parts. (Star, 04/09/1874, p 2)

The first Inspection of Machinery Act 1874 while it covered other “land based “did not cover steamers and their machinery. This was covered by the already implemented Steam Navigation Act, 1866, administered by the Marine Department and their Inspectors of Steamers. A role that both Nancarrow and Stewart had been undertaking for the Marine Department since this act’s inception. Likewise engines or machinery under Government Railway control were also exempt. There was also an innovative provision that prohibited children under the age of 10 to work with or assist with the running of machinery.

 The passing of the Machinery Act 1874 was followed shortly after by the Regulation and Inspection of Mines Act which also carried provisions for safety. By December the first Chief Inspector of Machinery for the colony was appointed. This was Joseph Nancarrow. 
 
Into 1875 Thames goldfields saw the Machinery Act 1874 in place – and even though there were detractors, this was a first step in health and safety in the workplace and towards prevention of likes of a recurrence of such as the “Kuranui Boiler Disaster.”
 
Reference Sources:
 
 
 
 



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Sunday 18 July 2021

*The Early Days of Thames Goldfield “A Slice of Industrial and Transport Heritage" Part II

Interior of Thames Hauraki Pumping Plant and formerly Queen of Beauty mine shaft , in 2021 called Bella Pumphouse
  - photo 2010 Chris Ball  

201  First writing, 2021 update  By Anne Stewart Ball


This is The Early Days of Thames Goldfield   “A Slice of Industrial and Transport Heritage" Part II

“Mines, Batteries and Stampers Galore” 

The Thames Goldfields, found to be auriferous instead of alluvial, meant prospectors turned to industrial machinery to crush the “hard rock.” The following charts have been compiled from across a number of sources to show the extent and development of the industrial mining processes – the batteries and stampers - on the Thames Goldfields. There were plenty of these.

Thames-Hauraki pump and level shaft. Price, William Archer, 1866-1948 :Collection of post card negatives. Ref: 1/2-001558-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22576601

    THAMES GOLDFIELDS: BATTERIES & STAMPERS 1869 – 1870’S (APPROXIMATE ONLY)


The following chart records batteries opened in the 1880’s during an era when the Thames Goldfields was undergoing significant changes.

THAMES GOLDFIELDS UPGRADED OR NEW BATTERIES IN THE EARLY 1880’S

Reference Source to Charts: 
1. Daily Southern Cross 20 September 1869 p 5 and 29 September 1869 p6.
2. Also various other newspaper reports from Daily Southern Cross, Evening Post, and Thames Star 
3. Weston, Fred (compiler). Jubilee Souvenir –Thames Goldfields-A History From Proclamation Times To 1927. Thames: “Thames Star”, July, 1927.
4. Thames Miners Guide 1868
5. John Isdale, NZHPT Thames School of Mines, Thames, NZ 

Reference sources for 1868 – 1869 generally referred to the batteries in the areas Grahamstown, Kuranui, Karaka and Tararu. Subsequent reference sources of the 1870’s had introduced describing by Creek location.

Tararu

 From the Chart, the four batteries in the Tararu area of the 1870’s, although few in number of batteries, were large in the number of stampers employed. Men of practical skills and knowledge managed these batteries – Mr. James Steedman (JB) for Messrs Brown, Campbell & Co, Mr. James Darrow for Flora MacDonald and Mr. William Thorburn for Wild Missouri. Typical of this era, these men also involved themselves in the community life of Thames. Messrs Brown, Campbell & Co’s battery was also known as the Tararu Creek Battery – named practically for the creek which it operated beside.

Machinery for Russell’s battery was shipped aboard the Hero from the company of P.N. Russell and Co of Sydney. (G Russell being one of the proprietors of Russell’s battery). It was also P.N. Russell and Co. who built the steamer p.s. Rangiriri to the order of the New Zealand Government in 1863, shipped to New Zealand in prefabricated parts and reassembled at Port Waikato. (Today in 2021 p.s. Rangiriri, restored relic in Hamilton, is New Zealand’s second oldest iron vessel existing.) Mr Steedman had also formerly assisted James Stewart (designer of) in the steamer construction operations at Port Waikato. The Daily Southern Cross reported in 1871 the purchase of Russell’s battery by Messrs  Stannus Jones and J.S. Macfarlane. 

James Darrow, typical of many of the Battery and Mine Managers, was to go on from Flora MacDonald Battery to the Queen of Beauty Battery and then to the timber industry – Darrow & Kilgour. According to the Hawkes Bay Herald in January 1870, the Flora MacDonald Battery owned by Messrs Gibbons & Co was christened by Lady Bowen. This when Governor and Lady Bowen visited Thames on an Official Occasion in 1870.  

Goldmine (Sylvia Reduction Works) beside the Tararu Creek, Thames-Coromandel District, including native bush and mine structure. Beere, Daniel Manders, 1833-1909 :Negatives of New Zealand and Australia. Ref: 1/4-034283-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22422377

Later years at Tararu – the late 1880’s early 1890’s - saw the purchase of the Little Agnes Claim and the formation of the Sylvia Goldmining Company with a syndicate of Thames, Auckland and Melbourne owners. The New Zealand Directors being Captain Colbeck, Messrs Seymour , George, J. S. Macfarlane, E. McDonnell, and Dr Scheidel. - This J.S. Macfarlane of the 1890’s not to be confused with the J.S. Macfarlane of the 1870’s. (different persons) Under the management of Dr. Scheidel a new cyanide process for extraction of gold was developed. Dr. Scheidel published a book on this in 1894. Scheidel, heading the New Zealand Mines Trust Ltd was to establish the Commonwealth Portland Cement Co Ltd in Australia and today in 2021  he is regarded as the “ father” of the Portland Cement industry in Australia.
Kauri at Tararu Creek, Thames Goldfield. (46 feet in circumference). By Hugh Boscawen, From a photograph by Messrs. Foy Brothers, Shortland. In Kirk, T. F.L.S. The Forest Flora of New Zealand. Wellington: Government Printers, 1889. No 79. next to p 142 

Kuranui

The Shotover No 1 battery on the chart was formerly called “Goldfinder” opened in October 1868 christened by Hunt’s daughter (Thames Miners Guide, 1868, p 80) This was also where the first “Bonanza” of gold on the Thames Goldfields was struck shortly after opening in 1867, by prospectors Hunt & others.

The Chart shows that the Kuranui Battery was the largest in the Kuranui area of the goldfields. The Thames Miners Guide wrote that Kuranui was the second claim pegged out on the Thames Goldfields and the first mining company registered in December 1868.

Kuranui, the largest battery in the Kuranui area – crushed in addition to their own, also for other claims, amongst them the Shotover (Hunt & others claim), Golden Crown and Queen of Beauty. This arrangement was typical of the goldmining companies and batteries of that era. It was at Kuranui that what became known as “ the Kuranui Boiler Disaster” occurred in 1874, an accident that became the forerunner of one of New Zealand’s first pieces of Occupational Health & Safety Legislation.

Sign in March 2010, marking the site of what was once Kuranui Battery, and the Shotover Mine where there was the “Goldfinder” Battery Thames, NZ. photo CRB collection 

Moanataiari, Waiotahi, Grahamstown

Batteries with their stampers were by far, in the greatest concentration near the immediate area around Grahamstown and no doubt a reason for the close location of “Script Corner”, where goldmining shares were bought and sold with a “frenzy” and “fever.’ From the chart can be seen the marked increase of stampers of the Caledonian Battery. The early 1870’s was the hey day of the Caledonian’s Mine “ Big Bonanza” and a lucky find for its many, many shareholders. Golden Crown
close by was also another “Bonanza” find and as Caledonian operated its own stampers. Both mines, also in addition to their own batteries crushing, sent parcels of quartz to the other batteries nearby. Thames historian A.M. Isdale wrote:-

“The greatest "concentration of these quartz crushing machines" was on or near the Premier lava flow from which 85% of the gold on the Thames came” ( Isdale, 1967 , p10)

Not all claims were “Bonanza” fortunate. Dayspring battery was typical of some of the smaller claims, running its own small head of stampers to crush its own parcel of quartz. Dayspring was typical of many, in the different picture presented in the 1870s of batteries which disappeared, added more stampers, or established. 1869 and 1870 saw a number of changes in claim and company ownership along with the amalgamation of some, disappearance of others and new finds discovered.

At a shareholders’ meeting of Dayspring Goldmining Company in July 1869 the interim directors – Dr. Fisher, Messrs Stewart, Low, Macfarlane, and Ritchie - decided on a capital of £12,000, in 12,000 shares of £1 each, of which 15s. per share is paid up. The Dayspring Goldmining Company was registered in 1869 and further activity in 1870

Sign in March 2010 marking the site of what was once the
 Caledonian Mine
Thames, NZ. Photo CRB collection

Sign in March 2010 marking the site of what was once the Golden Crown Mine Thames, NZ.
 p.s. Golden Crown named after this mine and one of the steamers transporting boxes of gold
Photo CRB collection









Karaka

The Chart shows a large increase in the number of batteries and stampers during the 1870’s in the Karaka Creek area. Weston wrote referring to growth of the Waiokaraka in the Diamond Jubilee Souvenir Book of the Thames Goldfields in 1927. (Weston, 1927, p 72)

Queen of Sheba, registered 1869  and Mount Macedon, registered 1870.  By November 1870, Queen of Sheba was better known as Queen of Beauty.  Queen of Beauty (formerly Queen of Sheba) in the early days of the goldfield, used the batteries of Bulls, Vickery’s, Perry’s, Gows and Kauwaeranga for crushing. By July 1874, according to the Thames Star reporting on Queen of Beauty quartz crushing activity wrote:-

“This mine is now employing 83 head of stamps in the reduction of their stuff — 30 at the Kuranui,10 at the Manukau, 20 of their own, and 23 at Bull's battery; and (out of a mine owned by half-a[1]dozen men )” (THE QUEEN OF BEAUTY, Thames Star,24/07/1874: p.2 ) 

Showing the interior of a gold quartz crushing battery at the Queen of Beauty Mine, Thames goldfields  Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 7-A1601

For this mine, while not the spectacular gold returns of what became the famous Caledonian mine, continued on towards the 1880s with steady returns. Salmon wrote that there were seven shareholders  These were William Thomas, William Barker, Ronald McDonald, James Stewart, James McCabe,  John McCabe and Patrick Walsh. William Tonks was also recorded as a shareholder. 

A number of Queen of Beauty’s staff were sought by others such as Engineer Peter Jack, who was approached to assist with the development of the Taranaki steel manufacturing company’s new works. This was the New Zealand Titanic Steel and Iron Company, set up at Te Henui Beach, New Plymouth in 1873 to process iron sands, a second attempt to manufacture marketable steel in New Zealand.

The Piako Battery (formerly Bright Smile) with its 40 stampers was also typical of stampers when finished with. Stampers were expensive machines and iron a costly item to ship to New Zealand in those days. This one was recycled over to the Waiorongomai Goldfields, where both James Stewart and H.H. Adams (Harry) were involved in the preparation and construction of the Piako County or Waiorongomai Tramway.

Looking up Waiokaraka Valley in March 2010.
 Right foreground is Bella Pumphouse behind which is the site
of the old Queen of Beauty Mine Shaft, photo CRB collection










General

From the compiled Chart of the Batteries on the Thames Goldfields recorded is an approximate total of 615 stampers in 1869, with the highest concentration of these quartz crushing machines being in Grahamstown area and the second highest in Tararu area. In the 1870’s – the heyday of Thames mining – the chart shows an approximate total of 907. A growth in number of batteries in the Grahamstown and Karaka areas and reduction at Tararu.

“ The usual preparations having been made by swinging a bottle of champagne suspended by red, white, and blue ribbon over the fly- wheel of the engine, the machine was started, and Miss Whitson let the bottle fall against the rapidly revolving fly-wheel, and Mr. Burrall called for three cheers for the " Whau Detective Machine." The call was most heartily responded to by those who had been invited  to be present, and by the workmen who had been engaged in the erection of the building and  machinery.” 

Given 1869 was well before the age of ear muffs, machine baffling for noise reduction and dust control measures, the writer of this, can only conjecture what noise levels were then. Or read the early accounts of those early days. 

“They saw batteries both idle and at work, thundering away with a prodigious noise, and wished they would do their work quietly. For the first time got an inkling of the labour a sovereign represented precious yellow ore.” 

In this early era of steam machinery, the developments were many. The aim of crushing was to get the utmost amount of gold from the quartz, with new techniques and methods constantly developed.

The second “flush” of mining 

– 1880’s New mining companies were formed e.g. Alburnia Gold Mining Co headed by Chairman of Directors, Thomas Macffarlane e.g. Former batteries were bought and upgraded ( Alburnia in the instance of The Prince Albert and Greenvilles the Hape. In July 1885 Cambria purchased Queen of Beauty Battery. The Thames School of Mines opened November 1885, giving the Mining Industry opportunity of formally recognised qualifications and training in the roles of those managing and operating new technologies. Significant changes for this Goldfield and others.


1900 – 1910 Overlooking Thames. Price, William Archer, 1866-1948 :Collection of post card negatives. Ref: 1/2-001539-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22809377


From Disaster - Safety Legislation 

 This was what came to be known as the Kuranui Boiler disaster which occurred at the Kuranui Company in one of the battery machines. Campbell in 1987 was to write the following “However in 1874 the Inspection of Machinery Act was passed, it no doubt stimulated by a fatal boiler explosion that had occurred on the Thames gold field”. (Campbell, 1987, p.13) 

 The disaster occurred on 24 January 1874, causing the serious loss of three lives. The Daily Southern Cross, after the accident, and after some of the evidence given in the inquest reported 

 “The cause of the accident is briefly this, so, far, as it can be understood: The boiler had 'been repaired and cleaved about a week ago, land has only been at work five days. It was discovered today that a thick coating of saline deposit had crusted the iron in the crown of the boiler to a thickness of half an inch.This prevented the water from coming in contact with the iron, consequently the latter became red hot over the furnace, and owing to the pressure of the steam it collapsed, as much as the tension of the iron allowed, but when the utmost extent of its expansion - was" reached the iron rent along the seam." The consequence was that the steam and water together burst into the furnace and rushed through the flues, carrying death to the poor fellows.” 


A commission of three expert engineers were appointed, a number of interviews that identified cause and solution. A  report from the three expert engineers and: 


From Disaster - One of First Pieces Safety Legislation in NZ 

Into 1875 Thames goldfields saw the Machinery Act 1874 in place – and even though there were detractors, this was a first step in health and safety in the workplace and towards prevention of likes of a recurrence of such as the “Kuranui Boiler Disaster.”  Battery and stamper operators sat what was called The Stationary Engine Drivers certificate.

Practical Gold-mining: A Comprehensive Treatise on the ...books.google.co.nz › books
Charles George Warnford Lock · 188

9

Reference Source: 

  • Campbell, I.B,. Legislating for Workplace Hazards in New Zealand. Palmerston North: Stylex Printer, Massey University, 1987. 
  • Cyclopaedia NZ, Auckland Province, 1902
  • Isdale, A.M. History of " the River Thames" NZ. A.M.Isdale Publishing, 1867
  • Salmon, J.H.M. A History of Goldmining in New Zealand. Wellington, New Zealand: R.E. Owen, Government Printer, 1963
  • Thames Miners Guide,1868, p.72
  • Weston, Fred (compiler). Jubilee Souvenir –Thames Goldfields-A History From Proclamation Times To 1927. Thames: “ Thames Star”, July ,1927. 
  • NZ Gazette 1869/510. 1870/91, 1870/359
  • NZ Gazette, 1869, p.454
  • Daily Southern Cross, 10/11/1870: p 3
  • Daily Southern Cross, 15 /07/1871: p 2
  • Hawke's Bay Herald, 21/01/ 1870: p 3
  • FRIGHTFUL BOILER ACCIDENT AT THE THAMES. THREE LIVES LOST Daily Southern Cross 26/01/1874, p.3
  • Daily Southern Cross, 15/01/1875, Page 2
  • Thames Star, 07/02/1893: Page 2
  • Website Heritage: New South Wales accessed 27/05/2010
  • Portland NSW - History  accessed 18/07/2021 
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Sunday 29 December 2013

Voyages of the Brig Fanny - Across the Oceans

The Brig Fanny was to arrive in Australasian Waters in early 1849. Shipwrecked in July 1850, the voyages of the Brig Fanny were to span several oceans and several owners and captains.

 The following is these, pieced together from a number of sources - no Skype then - newspapers were sought after sources of news in the 1840's - 1850's. 

Arrival From Calcutta, India

ADELAIDE,SOUTH AUSTRALIA  24 January 1849
Same Day— The brig Fanny, 175 tons, Harold Lewis, master, from Calcutta 16th Nov. Three ladies, four gentlemen, and eight children in the cabin, and one male passenger, three servants, two natives, and one Portuguese, in the steerage. Cargo— Indian produce.
South Australian Register Wednesday 24 January 1849 page 3
Adelaide, 1886 in Australia 200 years, 1988

Departure For Port Phillip

For PORT PHILLIP, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA 9 February 1949
Same day - The brig Fanny, 171 tons, Lewis for Port Phillip. Passengers - Mr Honelar, wife, two children, and servant, Mr Folk, Joseph Taylor wife and two children, Samuel Darby and wife.
Cargo of the Fanny - 1380 bags copper ore, weighing 70 tons, South Australian Mining Association. Original cargo from Calcutta - 20 bales, 61 cases, 1 box, 2 packages, 102 packages twine, 29 ditto spunyarn, 28 cases, 272 bags rice, 1 box books, 5 bales, 2 boxes cigars, 2 boxes sugar, 10hhds. rum, Mr. Folk.
South Australian Friday 9 February 1849 page 2

Arrival from Calcutta via Adelaide & Port Phillip


SYDNEY,NEW SOUTH WALES,AUSTRALIA 12 March 1949
March 12 – Fanny, brig, 170 tons, Captain Lewis, from Calcutta via Adelaide and Port Phillip, having left the latter port on the 1st instant.
Passengers – Mr. Folk jnr., Mr. and Mrs Hinder and two children, Mr. Rolston, Mr. Ximenes, Mrs Henderson, and two children, Mrs Dismore and one child, Mr. and Mrs Taylor and two children, Mr. Brown, Mr. Hamilton, and Mr. Lane.
Shipping Gazette & Sydney General Trade List, Volume 6, Number 261 (17 March, 1849) Ps 67 - 69
The Sydney Morning Herald, Thursday 15 March 1849, page 4 Courtesy Trove, National Library of Australia

John Macfarlane of Henderson & Macfarlane new owner of Brig Fanny

SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA 24 March 1849
The Brig Fanny which was put up to auction by Mr. Mort, on Saturday last, was purchased by Mr. J Macfarlane, for the sum of £1485. She is now loading for Auckland and California, and will be commanded by Captain Leathard.
Shipping Gazette & Sydney General Trade List, Volume 6, Number 263 (24 March, 1849) P 77

Departure For Auckland, New Zealand 

For AUCKLAND,NEW ZEALAND 14 April 1849
DEPARTURES April 14 Fanny Brig, 170 tons, Captain Leathart , for Auckland and California; Passengers for Auckland – Lieutenant  Curtis, Captain Tucker, Mrs Harvey and son, R.M. Henney, Mr. And Mrs Cronan, Mr. W Harding, Mr. Yates, Mr. And Mrs J Ryan, Mr. Cudlip, Mr. and Mrs Grant, Mr. H Preston, Mr. Steadman, four soldiers and two deserters. For California - Mr. McFarlane, Captain and Mrs. Thompson, Mr. Cameron, Mr. J Mulholland, Mr. S Jones, Mr. Thorton and son, Messrs J Johnson, J Pinder, S Turner, T Reynolds, W. F. Dunn and H Keidel.

EXPORTS April 11 Fanny Brig, 170 tons, Captain Leathart , for Auckland and California; 1 cask and 3 hogsheads colonial rum, 12 hogsheads colonial gin, 10 hogsheads Bengal rum, 20,000 bricks, 15 bags flour, 10 tierces beef, 4 casks loaf sugar, 4 bundles iron bedsteads, 20 tons coals, 1 quarter. cask port wine, 1 case stationery, 12 boxes glass, Sheppard and Alger: 25 cases brandy, D.N. Joubert; 150 bags flour, 3 cases curry powder, 2 cases sago, 1 case chetney, J Buchanan; 3 cases drapery, Ray and Glaister; 1 case stationery, N Giffard: 3 tierces salmon, George Thorne and Co.: 9 cases oilman’s stores; 2 bags oatmeal, 1 bag seed. 1 bag pepper. 1 case paper. 1 bag spice, 1 cask hardware, 10 bags rice, 64 cheeses. G Codlin: 6 cases Geneva. 14 coils rope, 18 coils whaleline, 12 ash oars,1 bag coffee, 5 tierces beef, 6 bags flour, 10 bags biscuit, 1 bale canvas, 1 half-chest tea, 1 packet rivets, 1 package leather, 1 cask blocks, F Mitchell and Co.: 4 casks Port wine, 9 cases cigars, E.H. Pollard: 3 cases drapery, C Newton and Brother, 15 boxes candles , F Donaghy; 1 case drapery, W Henderson; 1case drapery, G Chisholm; 4 casks colours, 6 boxes tin plates, 12 cases, 41 casks and 45 packages hardware, 1 bale twine, 18 bundles spades, 36 grindstones, 12 plough beams, 12 plough moulds, 12 plough frames, 3 bundles barrow wheels, J.S. Willis; 1 gig, 14 casks beef, 8 horses, 80 sheep, W Preston.
Shipping Gazette & Sydney General Trade List, Volume 6, Number 265 (14 April, 1849) p92
Auckland Waterfront 1852 Photo in The Cyclopaedia of New Zealand, Vol 2, Auckland Province. Christchurch: Cyclopaedia Company Limited, 1902. 

Freight or Passage for San Francisco, America  at Auckland

 

Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 New Zealander,  21 April 1849, Page 2 Courtesy Papers Past, National Library New Zealand

Arrival Auckland 

AUCKLAND,NEW ZEALAND 2 May 1849

ARRIVAL.- Foreign May 2. Fanny, brig, 171 tons, Leathart, master, from Sydney, with sundries. Passengers —Mr. McFarlane, Capt. and Mrs. Thompson, Mr. Cameron, Lieut. Curtis, Capt. Tucker, Mr. Mclntosh, Mrs. Harvey, and son, Mr. McHenery, Mr. Cronan and wife, Mr. Hardey, and 24 in steerage. W. Combes, Agent.
SHIPPING LIST. Daily Southern Cross, 5 May 1849, Page 2

 
Auckland Harbour- in The New Zealand Insurance Company Limited. Bold Century. Auckland: The New Zealand Insurance Company Limited, 1959.

 Departure for San Francisco, America

From AUCKLAND FOR SAN FRANCISCO, AMERICA 5 June 1849
DEPARTURES. June 5. Fanny, brig, 171 tons, Leathart, master, for San Francisco, with sundries. Passengers—Mr. J. Macfarlane, Mr- and Mrs. Thompson, Mr. Cameron, Mr. Carnegie, Mr. McLiver, Mr. F Ring, Mr. C Ring, Mr. R. Ring, Mr. Kiser, Mr. McCabe, Mr. Joplin, Mr. Noone .Mr. Sexey, Mr. and Mrs. Hall and family, Mr. and Mrs, Walton, Mr. and Mrs. Murray, and child, Mr. and Mrs. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Stokes and child, Mr. and Mrs Williams and family, Mr. and Mrs. Rae, Mr. Cain, W. Keane, J, Christie, D. Sinclair, J. Campbell, J. Platt, J. Bernett, J. Rankin, P. Rankin, P. Horsley, P. Campbell, D. Henderson, W. Overton, J. Gamble, J. Nichol, J. McDonald, T, Jones, J, Johnson, J. Penders. Thorne, T. Reynolds, W. Dunn, H. Keidall, M, Thorston. W. Combes, agent. June 5.
 Shipping Intelligence. New Zealander, 9 June 1849, P 3

Arrival San Francisco, America

SAN FRANCISCO, AMERICA 30 August 1849
August 30 English brig Fanny, Leathart, 85 days from Auckland, New Zealand - See more at:
http://www.maritimeheritage.org/inport.htm#sthash.xzYIFZby.dpuf

Gold Prospector
Departed San Francisco, America
 From SAN FRANCISCO, AMERICA  FOR HONOLULU, SANDWICH ISLANDS ( HAWAII )11 September 1849
11 September 1849 Cleared San Francisco for Auckland. 7 October at Sandwich Islands

Departed Honolulu, Sandwich Islands ( Hawaii ) 

From HONOLULU, SANDWICH ISLANDS ( HAWAII ) 7th October 1849
The Fanny, (Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane's brig), which sailed from this port on the 5th June last, who at the Sandwich Islands on her return to Auckland, on the 7th October, discharging part of her cargo which she had was unable to dispose of at San Francisco. She may therefore be expected very shortly.
Shipping Intelligence. New Zealander, 14 November 1849, Page 2 

Arrived Auckland, New Zealand

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND 29 November 1849
Arrivals Foreign. Nov. 29. "Fanny," 171 tons, Francis Leathart, from Honolulu, Sandwich Islands, October 16. Passengers, Messrs. John Macfarlane, Christian, G. Nichol, G. Elliot. W. C. Daldy, agent.
IMPORTS
In the "Fanny," from Honolulu, original cargo from Sydney, 1 cask colonial rum, 10 hhds. colonial gin, 2 do do rum, 9 do Bengal rum, 9 cases cigars, 7000  bricks, 4. bags flour, 10 tierces beef, 3 casks loaf sugar, 4 tons coals, 4 bundles iron bed steads, 1 case stationery, 12 boxes glass, 2 casks port wine.— Original Cargo from Auckland, 7 hhds. rum, 3 dozen brandy, 1 bale carpeting, 1 do blankets, 1 case shoes, 2 bags nails, 4 boxes glass, 2 bales leather.— Shipped at Honolulu, 1,500 baskets salt, 1 box walrus' teeth, 1 bale matting, Order.
Daily Southern Cross, 30 November 1849, P2
Auckland Harbour From Symonds Street  Garran, Andrew, Ed. Australasia Illustrated, Picturesque Atlas Publishing Company Limited, 1892 

Auction of Entire Cargo & the Brig Fanny

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND November 1849
AUCTION SALES. ENTIRE 'CARGO OF THE BRIG "FANNY." HART & SON Have received instructions to offer by Auction at their Rooms, on Monday next, at 11 o'clock precisely, without the least reserve. THE entire CARGO of the Brig Fanny, A consisting of — ' 13 hogsheads Rum, 12 hogsheads Gin, 9 cases Cigars, 4 cases Hunt's Port Wine, 8000 bricks, 9 bags Flour, 10 tierces Beef, 3 casks Loaf Sugar, 14 tons Coals, 4 bundles Iron Bedsteads, 1 case Stationery, 16 boxes Glass, 2 quarter casks Hunt's Port Wine, 7 hogsheads Rum, 3 ditto Brandy, 1 bale Carpeting, 1 ditto Blankets, 1 case Shoes, 2 bags Nails, 2 bales Leather, 1500 Salt Baskets, 2 bales Matting, A quantity of Walrus tusks, 6 casks Pork, 5 ton Bread, 1 case Tobacco, 1 bale Slops, 5 pwt. Sugar, 14 casks Beef, Rice, Twine, — and A Variety of Merchandize.

THE FIRST-CLASS BRIG, "FANNY." HART & SON have received instructions to offer for Sale by Private Contract, the splendid first class Brig, "Fanny," burthen 171 tons, now lying at anchor in this Port. The vessel is well found — is ready for sea — has proved herself a first-rate sea boat — stows a large cargo — has superior accommodations for passengers, and is admirably adapted for the trade between this Port and California. For further particulars apply to the Auctioneers.
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 Daily Southern Cross,30 November 1849, P 1

Joel Samuel Polack New Owner of Brig Fanny

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND, December 1849
The brig Fanny has, we learn, changed hands since our last, having been purchased by Mr. J S. Polack for £1600. She is to be repaired forthwith and laid on for California. Captain Lilewall, of the Sir John Franklin, has been appointed to her. - Auckland Southern Cross, December 4.
The Sydney Morning Herald Monday 31 December 1849 Page 2
Polack, Joel Samuel,[1840] PUBL-0064-2-TP Wood engraving, 72 x 92 mm Courtesy Alexander Turnbull Library, New Zealand 1807-1882 Parramatta, Kororarika Bay, the residence and property of Mr Polack, Bay of Islands.http://mp.natlib.govt.nz/detail/?id=26983

 Wanted  For Repairs

BRIG "FANNY." WANTED immediately, Caulkers and Riggers. Apply to Captain Lilewall, on board ; or to Hart and Son, Queen-street.
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 Daily Southern Cross, 4 December 1849, P1

Freight or Passage for San Francisco December 1849 


FOR SAN FRANCISCO.THE Teak Built "Brig FANNY,"- Captain Lilewall, will sail for the above Port on or about the 21st December, inst., for cabin passage only. Apply to Hart and Son, Dec. 3rd, 1849.

                      Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 Daily Southern Cross, 14 December 1849, P 1

Auckland for San Francisco, America  21 January 1850

Fanny, brig 171 tons, Captain Twohey, for San Francisco. Passengers-Mr. and Mrs. Partridge, Mr, and Mrs. Trounce, Dr. Smyth, Messrs. Polack, Cox, Oakle , and Carson Cargo -1213 packages of timber (comprising 43 houses in frame), 6 packages nails, 5 cases lime, 1 forge, 5 anvils, 4 cases eggs, 1 bale blankets, 16,000 bricks, 8000 shingles.


The Sydney Morning Herald Monday 18 February 1850 P 2


Return to Coromandel , New Zealand for Repairs January 1850

The mate and three hands and one of the passengers of the Fanny, brig, which sailed for San Francisco on Monday week, arrived in town on Thursday night, and report that the vessel has been obliged to put back to Coromandel harbour for repairs. She was becalmed for two days off the Great Barrier, before the gales of last week sprung up, when she encountered very rough weather with a heavy sea. During the storm she had driven a considerable distance, but when off the East Cape, it was found she was leaking at her quarter galleries, and taking in a great deal of water whenever she dipped astern. It was prudently resolved to put her about, and it and for Coromandel harbour, where she arrived on Wednesday evening last; four or five hands were immediately set on her to make such repairs as were necessary for her safety, and which should have been attended to before she left this harbour.



Shipping Intelligence. New Zealander, 2 February 1850, P 2


   Coromandel Harbour photo in 1970s by J M Stewart

Court Case in Auckland 7 March 1849 

J. S. POLACK V EZEKIEL LOVERING. This was as an action for £1,155, being the alleged amount of damage sustained by the plaintiff by the breach of an agreement by the defendant, dated the 16th of November, 1849. The agreement was, to carry 160,000 feet of sawn timber in the brig Enterprise, of which the defendant was master, to San Francisco. Notice of the readiness of the vessel to take in the plaintiff freight having been given by the defendant's agents, Messrs. Brown & Campbell, the plaintiff, on the 27th and 28th of the same month, tendered his timber alongside the vessel, but it was refused — first by the mate, who said he would not take it on board without a note from the captain, and afterwards by the captain himself, saying that he would not take it in if he got £16 a ton for it ; he would not allow an inch of it to come on board. ln consequence of this breach of agreement, the plaintiff, to get his timber into the Californian market, was compelled to purchase the brig Fanny for £1,600. The plaintiff claimed the sum of £ 1,155, as the amount of damage sustained by him by the loss of the market at San Francisco. Timber being higher there at the time that his would, in all probability, have arrived if the defendant had fulfilled his part of the agreement, than at the time it would arrive by the Fanny. The Jury having been addressed by Counsel on both sides, his Honor summed up ; and, after a short deliberation, the Jury declared a verdict for the plaintiff -damages, £250, and costs. P Counter for the plaintiff— Mr. Whitaker; agent, Mr. Conroy. For the defendant— Mr. Hartley agent, Mr. Merriman. This was the only cause on the list for trial

The Shipping Gazette & Sydney General Trade List, Volume 7, Number 317 (13 April, 1850) p10

Brig Fanny at Honolulu May 1850 - Cargo for Sale, Change of Owner 

ARRIVALS. May 7— British brig Fanny, Twohey, 171 tons, 81' days from Auckland, via Tahiti.

 List of Vessels in Port, May 10, 1850.— Passengers arrived— per Fanny, from Auckland, Mr. and Mrs. C. Partridge, and Mr. R.H.  Smith

HONOLULU SHIPPING, Polynesian, May 11th New Zealander, Volume 6, Issue 439, 29 June 1850, Page 2

A Lot of very superior houses of the following dimensions, 
will be sold at auction by order of the undersigned, ex British brig "Fanny", from Auckland, as soon as landed, if not previously disposed of by private contract; 6 houses 20 X 12, 8 feet high: 2 houses 20 X 12, 7 feet 6 inches high: 6 houses 14 X 12, 7 feet 6 inches high: 1 do 18 X 10, 7 feet 6 inches high: 1 do 10 X 10 6 feet 6 inches high, pannelled; 3 do 12 X 10, 12 feet high, two stories. The above houses are partitioned, and several will be put up in order to show intending purchasers their superiority over any houses that has as yet been offered for sale here. ALSO 15000 bricks, 8000 shingles, and a few tons of coal.

Polynesian, 18 May 1850 ,Page 3


          Honolulu capital of Sandwich Islands ( Hawaii ) In  Illustrated Sydney News ,Saturday 15 September 1866, page 12
                                                                                               Courtesy Newspapers, Trove, National Library Australia

                                                                                     

The Brig Fanny, which sailed from this port on the 21st January last, for California, was at Honolulu when the Shamrock left. Her cargo was advertised for sale She may shortly be expected here, as Mr. J. S. Polack, her late owner, has transferred his interest in her to Mr. S. Brown.

Shipping Intelligence. New Zealander, 29 June 1850, P 2

Departure from Honolulu for Auckland 11 June 1850

The brig " Fanny," William Twohey, master, sailed from Honolulu, Sandwich Islands, on the 11th of June for Auckland.

Drawing of a ship in a Storm In The New Zealand Insurance Company Limited. Bold Century
The  New Zealand Insurance Company Limited 1959

Shipwreck of the Brig Fanny, Fortuna 7 July 1850

And on the 7th of July last, the brig 'Fanny,' of and for Auckland, from the Sandwich Islands, was wrecked at Fortuna, a reef about forty five miles distant from Somo-Somo, one of the Fejee Islands. The ship's company were compelled to remain in their boats for twelve days for fear of being murdered — fortunately the cutter ' Sylph rescued them from the jaws of death;


More on the shipwreck can be found in an interesting full  account which appeared in the Daily Southern Cross on Tuesday 8 October 1850, page 2

Reference Source: 




 


 


 
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