The Runnymede barque
A barque: a particular type of rig which comprises of three or more masts, fore-and-aft sails on the mast and square sails on all other masts. Picture shown is a painting of the Runnymede.
The Runnymede was built by Jon Watson, one of Hobart’s most prominent shipwrights. The Runnymede was launched in 1849 which carried six Whale Boats. The barque had the distinction of being locally owned until her wreck in Goode Beach, Frenchman Bay, 1881. The Runnymede served throughout the heyday of Tasmanian pelagic whaling, where Tasmania was once one of the world’s most dominant and successful whaling ports. The Tasmanians were in competition with the French and the American whalers off the coast of Western Australia.
Captain James Bayley, the younger brother of Charles was appointed master of the Runnymede in 1850. In that year the Runnymede returned to the home port on its first cruise with 70 tuns ( a "tun" is a cask holding the equivalent to 52.5 Imperial gallons) of Sperm Whale oil. The Runnymede’s reputation at the time was one of the luckiest and most profitable trading ships. The crew on the Runnymede were from a diverse multicultural climate, consisting of Polynesians, Chinese, American Negroes and also Aborigines.
For ten long years at sea, the Runnymede earned profits in every voyage. The Bayley brothers earned their fortunes through the whaling industry, enabling Captain Bayley to retire after his accident at sea in 1866. He relinquished his command after falling from a height of 90 feet into sea. One of his crew men, Mr John Bull dived over board to rescue the bruised and battered Captain. Mr John Bull was awarded a gold watch and chain by the Captain himself for his brave efforts.
In 1867 the Runnymede was under command by Captain H.F Hillis, and again returning to the Western Australian waters. She later returned to Hobart with 30 tuns of oil. The Runnymede in the following year left on another voyage and after seven months away, she returned with all casks full.
Up to the 1870’s the Runnymede had successful voyages out to sea, however in 1874 they had a down turn, enduring almost a year at sea and only returning Hobart with 10 tuns of oil. During that voyage there were attempted desertions and one drowning incident within the Runnymede crew.
The next voyage, the crew were at sea for eighteen months without striking a single whale, the crew’s clothes in tatters and becoming louse ridden, protesting to the Captain for new clothes. Captain H.F. Hillis was not very forthcoming with handing out changes of clothes as fear of the crew not being able to repay. A little chant was conjured by the crew:
“Shout boys, Hurrah boys
We Welcome it – Godspeed!
We’ve ‘ad eighteen months starvation in the lousy Runnymede.”
The whaling industry was in a severe depression in the years 1874 to 1879. Not only was the abundance of whales in question but also the crewmen’s health. A boost in idle time enhanced the ships logs, giving details description of the day’s accounts. There were many people ill, a few reoccurring illnesses, tales of abuse onboard mainly towards the Captain, resulting in being locked up in iron and chains and also attempts of desertion.
The Runnymede lay idle for a few years in New Town Bay, but in 1881 Captain J. Travis set sail again for the Indian Ocean south of Java, via Christmas Island into the Western Australian seas. This was destined to be her last voyage.
Saturday December 27th, the Runnymede barque sailed into Frenchman Bay, Albany Western Australia, for a supply of fresh water. The Runnymede encountered strong winds and a heavy current.
A quote from the Fremantle Herald reported:
“That while the Runnymede was anchored in Frenchman Bay, a strong wind sprang up and a heavy sea set in. The force of the sea was so great that in spite of three anchors having been put out, the barque was driven ashore where she is lying now high and dry.”
The Runnymede barque wreck is situated at Goode Beach, Frenchman Bay, Albany Western Australia.
References: The Wrecked Whalers - Runnymede and Fanny Nicholson by Chris Halls
Wikipedia - the free encyclopedia
State Library of Tasmania http://images.statelibrary.tas.gov.au/
The Runnymede