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Located at the very South of Tasmania, the Maatsuyker Lighthouse began operation on 1 June 1891 with 11 people living on the island.
JUNE 1891 [Robert William GARRAWAY] (Superintendent) Hester Elizabeth GARRAWAY (nee NETHERCOTT) Ada Emily Frances (b. 14/9/1878) Ethel May (6/5/1882) [Richard ALOMES] Julia Ann ALOMES (nee HANLEY) Ada Isabel (b. 1/1/1879) Elsie May (b. 0/10/1883) Minnie Louisa (b. 5//1887) [William John PARKINSON] Douglas MILLER |
This is a work in progress. For other support for Maatsuyker island, see:
Wildcare - Branches - Friends of Maatsuyker Island (wildcaretas.org.au)
Wildcare - Branches - Friends of Maatsuyker Island (wildcaretas.org.au)
MAATSUYKER LIGHTHOUSE KEEPERS
This is an extract from all records from archive MB2-20 and AE476-1. Can you provide any further detail on the keepers at Maatsuyker?
[ALOMES, Richard] (June 1891- at least March 1892)
ASPINALL, William Clark (1901-1904)
BENNETT, Charles (1897-1900)
BUGDEN, R.E. (1915-?)
[BROWN. Charles Christie] (1902-1904)
CAMPBELL, William Alfred (1896-1900, 1907-1909)
CARLSON, Carl (1894-1897)
DAVIS, A. (1910-1913)
FREEMAN, G. (1904-1909)
FURNESS, William Henry Strickland (1909-1912)
GARRAWAY, Robert William (June 1891 to at least March 1892)
GIBSON, W.A. (1914-1915)
HOOPER, Robert John (1913-1914)
JACOBS, Henry Gaskin (1913-?)
JACQUES, William (1896-1899)
JOHNSON, Joseph (1909-1911)
JOHNSTON, R.J. (1907-1910)
JOHNSTON, Roderick (1912-1913)
MUIR, William Jenkins (1904-1907)
MILLER, Douglas (June 1891)
NAS, Herman (1899-1902)
OAKES, George Henry (1904-1907, 1913-?)
PARKINSON, William John
PYBUS, Gresley Leopold (1900-1903)
ROBERTS, Edward George (1911-1913)
WADE, J.F. (1903-1904)
This is an extract from all records from archive MB2-20 and AE476-1. Can you provide any further detail on the keepers at Maatsuyker?
[ALOMES, Richard] (June 1891- at least March 1892)
ASPINALL, William Clark (1901-1904)
BENNETT, Charles (1897-1900)
BUGDEN, R.E. (1915-?)
[BROWN. Charles Christie] (1902-1904)
CAMPBELL, William Alfred (1896-1900, 1907-1909)
CARLSON, Carl (1894-1897)
DAVIS, A. (1910-1913)
FREEMAN, G. (1904-1909)
FURNESS, William Henry Strickland (1909-1912)
GARRAWAY, Robert William (June 1891 to at least March 1892)
GIBSON, W.A. (1914-1915)
HOOPER, Robert John (1913-1914)
JACOBS, Henry Gaskin (1913-?)
JACQUES, William (1896-1899)
JOHNSON, Joseph (1909-1911)
JOHNSTON, R.J. (1907-1910)
JOHNSTON, Roderick (1912-1913)
MUIR, William Jenkins (1904-1907)
MILLER, Douglas (June 1891)
NAS, Herman (1899-1902)
OAKES, George Henry (1904-1907, 1913-?)
PARKINSON, William John
PYBUS, Gresley Leopold (1900-1903)
ROBERTS, Edward George (1911-1913)
WADE, J.F. (1903-1904)
EARLY MENTIONS OF MAATSUYKER ISLAND
The first mention of Maatsuyker Island in Tasmania's newspapers was in The Colonist on 24 April 1835, page 27:
Captain McDonald also states, that in the passage between the Maatsuyker's Islands and the Coast, which according to Flinder's Chart of 1799, and the sailing directions from the Hydrographical office of 1830 presents a clear passage of six miles) he discovered a rock about twenty feet long, nearly level with the surface of the water, lying N. N. E. by compass, about two miles distant from the largest and nearest Island of the Maatsuyker's Group. This rock is known o the whalers, but not laid down in any chart or book of directions.
FROM THE MERCURY, 19 FEBRUARY 1877, PAGE 2
The intelligence that the cutter Ripple, a small vessel engaged in the West Coast trade, had foundered off the S.W. Cape on the 21st of January, was received in town early on the morning of the 26th. Tim Ripple left Port Davey early on the morning of the 21st, the wind being from the westward, strong, and a heavy sea running. She had a full cargo of pine for town. Upon arriving within six miles of the S.W. Cape, the bearing of the Cape being W.N.W., Captain Dominey happened to look dawn the companion way, and to his surprise he noticed a large quantity of water in the cabin. The order to rig the pumps was at once given, but pumping the vessel appeared to be of no avail, for the water continued to increase. Baling with bucket was then resorted to, but this process was ineffectual, and the crew consisting of the master, John Monks, and Henry Broadby, were at last compelled to abandon the vessel. They took to the boat, a small dingy, and left the vessel during the forenoon, but remained in the vicinity in order that they might see the last of her. She went down within, twenty minutes from the time that the leak was first discovered. The spot where she sank was about 60 miles from Recherche Bay, and the dingy was put before the wind, and a course shaped for that place. The largest island of the Maatsuyker Group, commonly Known as the "Big Witch," was reached that night, and the men remained on the island until next day. They then rigged a sail with some bags, and started for Recherche, which place they reached in safety before night. They had not had anything to eat since leaving the vessel, the suddenness of her foundering having prevented them from saving anything. Captain Dominey is of opinion that the vessel's loss is attributable to her having sprung a butt near the quarter, as she was pumped out dry about half an hour before he discovered that she was leaking. The Ripple was owned by her master and was uninsured. She was worth, with her cargo, about £400, and as the cargo was the property of Captain Dominey, he was a heavy loser.
THE MERCURY 3 MARCH 1779 PAGE 2: ARRIVAL OF THE BARQUE ROCKET.
An American barque named the Rocket arrived in port on Saturday from New York, with a cargo of Yankee notions. The Rocket sailed from New York on September 26 last, but has only been 124 days at sea, upwards of a month having been spent at Bermuda.
The vessel put into port at that island on October 4 last, having experienced a succession of hurricanes which it was feared had strained the vessel so much as to cause her to leak. The services of a submarine diver were called into requisition and having made a survey of the hull of the vessel he reported that everything was all right. The Rocket took her departure from Bermuda on November 6 and light S.S.E. and S.E. winds were experienced until crossing the Equator on December 24, in 32 '02 west long. Fine weather with easterly winds was then got, and the meridian of the Cape of Good Hope was crossed at noon on Sunday, January 12. The ice variable winds and home, heavy gales were encountered.
Maatsuyker Island was sighted at 8 o'clock on Saturday morning; Southwest Cape was rounded two and three-quarter hours later; Tasman's Head was' passed at noon and the vessel came to anchor off the Queen's Domain at a quarter to eight o'clock on Saturday evening. After discharging a quantity of gunpowder, the Rocket will be brought round to the wharf to discharge the remaining portion of her cargo. The Rocket is apparently a substantially built although somewhat old-fashioned vessel, having seen many years' service. She was built some years ago by Samuel F. Weld at Metford, near Boston, and is owned by Mr. Thomas Sturges, of New York. Captain Pickering is a stranger to this port, although he is favorably known in the neighbouring colonies, trying one time been master of the ship Bavaria, of 1800 tons register.
THE MERCURY 8 AUGUST 1884 PAGE 3: FIRST MENTION OF A LIGHT AT MAATSUYKER ISLAND
A LIGHT ON THE SOUTH-WEST CAPE
SIR - Will you kindly allow me space in your valuable paper for a few words the subject of a lighthouse on the S.W. Cape of Tasmania.
As to the necessity of a good light on that part of your coast (now when a regular steam communication has been established between Great Britain and Hobart, and the shipping trade of your port may be said to be daily increasing) nothing used he said, as it is admitted by all and, I have been given to understand, that a light Is actually proposed, and is now under consideration by the Marine Board of Hobart. But I have also been told that there is some difference of opinion with reference to what is the best position for it I, therefore, beg to say that, in my opinion, the S.W. Case is, of all others, decidedly, the best, and for the following reasons First: If a light was placed on the Maatsuyker Islands (which, I hear, has been mentioned as a suitable position for one), a vessel approaching it from the westward, on an E.S.E. bearing, or any bearing south of that would not see the light, as it would be obscured by the light of the South-West Cape, and such vessel might find herself on or among the dangerous rocks off the Chatfield Islands, the more so as soundings are of little or no use in making the S.W. part of Tasmania.
In support of this reason, I may mention the fact that, on both my late voyages for your port, I experienced a strong current to the northward from about 150 miles west of Tasmania, right into the South-West Cape. On the first occasion the wind was from west, and on the last, it was from west round to S.S.E. during the twelve, hours previous to sighting land. On both occasions I made the land some miles north of where I expected, notwithstanding that I had good observations for the latitude, and also for error of compasses, on the previous day. On the first of these occasions, had a light been on the Maatsuyker Island it would have been observed by that headland, whereas a light on the South-West Cape would have been in full view on both occasions. Another argument strongly in favour of the South-West Cape is, that the light would be visible some 10 miles farther to seaward to all vessels coming from the westward, and those are the vessels which chiefly feel the want of a light in this vicinity.
With regard to the cost of erection and maintenance of lights, I need only say that an island light is almost invariably more expensive than a similar one on the mainland, and also more expensive and more difficult to establish telegraphic communication with, and I presume that as soon as a lighthouse is erected on any part of the coast or islands in question, a signal station will also be established, so that vessels bound to Hobart may be able to announce their
approach before arriving in the River Derwent.
Another suggestion that I have to take the liberty of making Is, that the light now on Cape Bruny be transferred to Tasman Head, where it would be of some use, as at present I cannot see that it is of any, seeing that the pilots have been removed from Recherche Bay, arid steamers are not expected to proceed to Hobart by the D'Entrecasteaux Channel.
Trusting I have not encroached too much on your valuable space, Yours, etc.
R. THOMSON, Master S.S. Gulf of Carpentaria.
The first mention of Maatsuyker Island in Tasmania's newspapers was in The Colonist on 24 April 1835, page 27:
Captain McDonald also states, that in the passage between the Maatsuyker's Islands and the Coast, which according to Flinder's Chart of 1799, and the sailing directions from the Hydrographical office of 1830 presents a clear passage of six miles) he discovered a rock about twenty feet long, nearly level with the surface of the water, lying N. N. E. by compass, about two miles distant from the largest and nearest Island of the Maatsuyker's Group. This rock is known o the whalers, but not laid down in any chart or book of directions.
FROM THE MERCURY, 19 FEBRUARY 1877, PAGE 2
The intelligence that the cutter Ripple, a small vessel engaged in the West Coast trade, had foundered off the S.W. Cape on the 21st of January, was received in town early on the morning of the 26th. Tim Ripple left Port Davey early on the morning of the 21st, the wind being from the westward, strong, and a heavy sea running. She had a full cargo of pine for town. Upon arriving within six miles of the S.W. Cape, the bearing of the Cape being W.N.W., Captain Dominey happened to look dawn the companion way, and to his surprise he noticed a large quantity of water in the cabin. The order to rig the pumps was at once given, but pumping the vessel appeared to be of no avail, for the water continued to increase. Baling with bucket was then resorted to, but this process was ineffectual, and the crew consisting of the master, John Monks, and Henry Broadby, were at last compelled to abandon the vessel. They took to the boat, a small dingy, and left the vessel during the forenoon, but remained in the vicinity in order that they might see the last of her. She went down within, twenty minutes from the time that the leak was first discovered. The spot where she sank was about 60 miles from Recherche Bay, and the dingy was put before the wind, and a course shaped for that place. The largest island of the Maatsuyker Group, commonly Known as the "Big Witch," was reached that night, and the men remained on the island until next day. They then rigged a sail with some bags, and started for Recherche, which place they reached in safety before night. They had not had anything to eat since leaving the vessel, the suddenness of her foundering having prevented them from saving anything. Captain Dominey is of opinion that the vessel's loss is attributable to her having sprung a butt near the quarter, as she was pumped out dry about half an hour before he discovered that she was leaking. The Ripple was owned by her master and was uninsured. She was worth, with her cargo, about £400, and as the cargo was the property of Captain Dominey, he was a heavy loser.
THE MERCURY 3 MARCH 1779 PAGE 2: ARRIVAL OF THE BARQUE ROCKET.
An American barque named the Rocket arrived in port on Saturday from New York, with a cargo of Yankee notions. The Rocket sailed from New York on September 26 last, but has only been 124 days at sea, upwards of a month having been spent at Bermuda.
The vessel put into port at that island on October 4 last, having experienced a succession of hurricanes which it was feared had strained the vessel so much as to cause her to leak. The services of a submarine diver were called into requisition and having made a survey of the hull of the vessel he reported that everything was all right. The Rocket took her departure from Bermuda on November 6 and light S.S.E. and S.E. winds were experienced until crossing the Equator on December 24, in 32 '02 west long. Fine weather with easterly winds was then got, and the meridian of the Cape of Good Hope was crossed at noon on Sunday, January 12. The ice variable winds and home, heavy gales were encountered.
Maatsuyker Island was sighted at 8 o'clock on Saturday morning; Southwest Cape was rounded two and three-quarter hours later; Tasman's Head was' passed at noon and the vessel came to anchor off the Queen's Domain at a quarter to eight o'clock on Saturday evening. After discharging a quantity of gunpowder, the Rocket will be brought round to the wharf to discharge the remaining portion of her cargo. The Rocket is apparently a substantially built although somewhat old-fashioned vessel, having seen many years' service. She was built some years ago by Samuel F. Weld at Metford, near Boston, and is owned by Mr. Thomas Sturges, of New York. Captain Pickering is a stranger to this port, although he is favorably known in the neighbouring colonies, trying one time been master of the ship Bavaria, of 1800 tons register.
THE MERCURY 8 AUGUST 1884 PAGE 3: FIRST MENTION OF A LIGHT AT MAATSUYKER ISLAND
A LIGHT ON THE SOUTH-WEST CAPE
SIR - Will you kindly allow me space in your valuable paper for a few words the subject of a lighthouse on the S.W. Cape of Tasmania.
As to the necessity of a good light on that part of your coast (now when a regular steam communication has been established between Great Britain and Hobart, and the shipping trade of your port may be said to be daily increasing) nothing used he said, as it is admitted by all and, I have been given to understand, that a light Is actually proposed, and is now under consideration by the Marine Board of Hobart. But I have also been told that there is some difference of opinion with reference to what is the best position for it I, therefore, beg to say that, in my opinion, the S.W. Case is, of all others, decidedly, the best, and for the following reasons First: If a light was placed on the Maatsuyker Islands (which, I hear, has been mentioned as a suitable position for one), a vessel approaching it from the westward, on an E.S.E. bearing, or any bearing south of that would not see the light, as it would be obscured by the light of the South-West Cape, and such vessel might find herself on or among the dangerous rocks off the Chatfield Islands, the more so as soundings are of little or no use in making the S.W. part of Tasmania.
In support of this reason, I may mention the fact that, on both my late voyages for your port, I experienced a strong current to the northward from about 150 miles west of Tasmania, right into the South-West Cape. On the first occasion the wind was from west, and on the last, it was from west round to S.S.E. during the twelve, hours previous to sighting land. On both occasions I made the land some miles north of where I expected, notwithstanding that I had good observations for the latitude, and also for error of compasses, on the previous day. On the first of these occasions, had a light been on the Maatsuyker Island it would have been observed by that headland, whereas a light on the South-West Cape would have been in full view on both occasions. Another argument strongly in favour of the South-West Cape is, that the light would be visible some 10 miles farther to seaward to all vessels coming from the westward, and those are the vessels which chiefly feel the want of a light in this vicinity.
With regard to the cost of erection and maintenance of lights, I need only say that an island light is almost invariably more expensive than a similar one on the mainland, and also more expensive and more difficult to establish telegraphic communication with, and I presume that as soon as a lighthouse is erected on any part of the coast or islands in question, a signal station will also be established, so that vessels bound to Hobart may be able to announce their
approach before arriving in the River Derwent.
Another suggestion that I have to take the liberty of making Is, that the light now on Cape Bruny be transferred to Tasman Head, where it would be of some use, as at present I cannot see that it is of any, seeing that the pilots have been removed from Recherche Bay, arid steamers are not expected to proceed to Hobart by the D'Entrecasteaux Channel.
Trusting I have not encroached too much on your valuable space, Yours, etc.
R. THOMSON, Master S.S. Gulf of Carpentaria.