THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE CATARAQUE

[Jeff Thorpe]

Today, 04 August marks the 170th anniversary of the sinking of the Cataraque off King Island in Bass Strait. This was and still is Australia's worst civilian maritime disaster with 399 men, women and children perishing. I may have posted this poem on the old forum after a visit to King Island however, thought it appropriate to post it again on the anniversary date.

THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE CATARAQUE

The Cataraque sank in August Eighteen Forty-Five,
from four o eight on board, only nine were to survive.
Australia’s worst disaster of all civilian shipping,
a scene that even now, is still intensely gripping.

The ship set sail from Liverpool with emigrants aboard,
new life in Victoria was theirs to look toward.
What hopes they must have harboured, a voyage of expectation,
all to lose out in a storm near to destination.

Last leg into Melbourne saw ships edge along Bass Strait,
King Island to the south while at north the mainland state.
A course to “thread the needle” that left no room for error
which many ships’ captains discovered to their terror.

Rocks off west King Island sealed Cataraque’s doom
in early morn of August 4 through the stormy gloom.
Heavy seas broke up the ship, there were hundreds swept away
to drown in icy waters just off Fitzmaurice Bay.

The register of families lost numbered sixty-two,
a dreadfully sad indictment for authorities to review.
One twenty-seven children under ten did die that morn
and five of these, on the ship was where they had been born.

Public outcry from the loss was huge and not in vain,
safe passage through the “needle’s eye” basis for campaign.
Cape Otway lighthouse was first lit in Eighteen Forty- Eight
King Island’s Cape Wickham light later added weight.

The nation’s highest lighthouse staked Cape Wickham’s fame,
undeserved tragedy stained the Cataraque name.
The sublime to the ridiculous may be seen by some,
enormous grief had somehow, our tallest light become.

Cataraque’s complement would doubtless not have thought
they would ever feature in annals of any sort.
Though, if they had a choice, I’d wager they’d not choose
a major place in history, but still be those to lose.

Jeff Thorpe (c) August 2010

[vwalla]

Thanks for that Jeff. I find it amazing the lessons we can learn from poetry and also from the research that goes into writing a good poem
Val W

[Maureen K Clifford]

Always great to read a bit of history captured in verse Jeff - if only they had taught history like this when I was at school - well done

[Heather]

You tell the story well Jeff. It still stands as one of the worst peacetime disasters ever.

Heather

[Jeff Thorpe]

Thank you Val, Maureen & Heather for your comments. The Cataraque's sinking stuck in my mind after reading the plaque about it at King Island.

Regards, Jeff

[Shelley Hansen]

Love the illumination of history, Jeff! I'm always passionate about celebrating our heritage. I've read up on a lot of the sea voyages and disasters, but this one had passed me by - so thanks for filling in the gap!

Cheers, Shelley

[Jeff Thorpe]

Bass Strait seems to have had its fair share of tragedy Shelley. There are many fascinating tales of shipowrecks.

Regards, Jeff

[Catherine Lee]

Great poem Jeff. I love to read history captured in verse and this is a prime example. Like Shelley, knowledge of this wreck had passed me by too, so it is a very interesting read.