1/. The Pioneering but Very Short Life of the S.S. MONUMENTAL CITY.
(‘Monumental City’ was a nickname given to Baltimore,Maryland,USA,where she was built)

She was an American steamship of 1,000 tons,with oscillating direct acting engines,475n.h.p; giving 11 knots,built in 1852 by Murray Hazelhurst,Baltimore .Her owner was Peter Stroebed.

The Monumental City was the first steamship to cross the Pacific from San Francisco to Sydney.She took over two months on the voyage,leaving on February 17th,1853,and arriving on April 23rd.
Her arrival was the occasion for great excitement in Australia where much was hoped from her.The gold discoveries were attracting thousands of people from overseas ,and as land travel in Australia was tedious and difficult any ship which could maintain speedy and comfortable coastal service was doubly welcome.
The Monumental City was placed in the Melbourne-Sydney trade under command of Capt.W.H.Adams,who had brought her from San Francisco.After only a few weeks in her new service she left Melbourne under sail and as the captain and officers were new arrivals they were not well acquainted with the coast.The Officer Of the Watch was warned by an Australian captain travelling as a passenger that he was much too near the shore.No thanks was given for the advice,the Australian being told to mind his own business.
This piece of foolishness brought about a terrible disaster within the next few hours.

At 03.45 on Sunday morning May 15th ,the vessel ran upon a small rocky island near Gabo,being still under sail.The captain ordered sail to be taken in and the foremast cut away,but in the confusion part of the mainmast was also carried away and later the ship broke in two.The boats were either capsized or smashed ,one only being serviceable.
Of the 86 persons on board 33 were drowned ,including Mr.Peter Stroebed the owner of the vessel.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


2/. Tasmania bound,but lost off southern England-the sailing ship NORTHFLEET

Northfleet was a sailing ship of 951 tons,built by Pitcher & Co in 1853 for owners John Patton & Co.
Commanded by Capt.Knowles,Northfleet was lying at anchor off Dungeness on the night of January 22nd,1873.There were 379 persons on board ,most of whom were railway workmen who were to construct the Tasmanian railway.The cargo was chiefly railway iron destined for Tasmania. Her lights were burning brightly at anchor and the weather was clear.
At about 10.30 p.m. the Spanish steamship Murillo, of 300 tons,commanded by Capt.Berrute,collided at speed with the anchored ship ,the passengers of which were asleep below.The Northfleet was struck amidships and cut down to the waterline;the Murillo without waiting to ascertain the extent of the damage made off in the darkness. Aboard Northfleet there was considerable panic and Capt.Knowles fought ,revolver in hand to hold back the crowd and save the women and children..Meanwhile the tug City of London the lugger Mary,the Princess and a pilot cutter took off a number of people.There were many ships in the vicinity ,but with the exception of the vessels mentioned they rendered no aid.The clipper Corona was lying at anchor 300 yards away but was not aware of the tragedy as the only man on duty watchkeeping was asleep.....
Two other circumstances delayed prompt rescue,the first being that Capt.Knowles did not realise the seriousness of his ship’s condition and therefore did not send up signals of distress until 15 minutes after the collision.The second was that the signal gun could not be fired owing to the touch-hole being blocked.
Of the 379 on board,320 were drowned including Capt.Knowles.In recognition of the courage and self-sacrifice his widow was awarded a Civil List pension.
And the colliding ship Murillo?..She was arrested off Dover on September 22nd,8 months after the disaster.A Court of Admiralty condemned her to be sold and severely censured the officers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------