SS Oakland (1890) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
 New South Wales Colony |
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| Name | Oakland |
| Namesake | Owner's Residence, Richmond, New South Wales |
| Builder | Murray Brothers, Dumbarton, Scotland |
| Launched | 20 February 1890 |
| Sponsored by | William T Yeager |
| Acquired | 1890 |
| In service | 27 August 1890 |
| Fate | Foundered, 26 May 1903 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Coastal cargo ship |
| Tonnage | 398 GRT |
| Length | 154 ft (47 m) oa |
| Beam | 24 ft (7.3 m) |
| Draft | 10 ft 5 in (3.18 m) (max) |
| Installed power | 70 hp |
| Propulsion |
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| Speed | 8-9 knots |
| Complement | 17 |
The SS Oakland was a small ship built in 1890 in Dumbarton, Scotland. It was designed to carry goods and passengers along the coast of New South Wales, Australia. The ship belonged to William T Yeager, a timber merchant. Sadly, the Oakland sank near Cabbage Tree Island in 1903. Eleven people lost their lives in this accident.
Contents
Building and First Journeys
The Oakland was built by Murray Bros. in Dumbarton, Scotland. It was finished in February 1890. The ship left Scotland for New South Wales on May 10, 1890. It arrived in Sydney on August 7, 1890.
At first, the Oakland only carried cargo. It started its coastal trade the next month. By April 1891, rooms were added for passengers. This allowed it to carry people on its trips. The ship traveled between Sydney, Newcastle, and the Richmond River. By 1896, it could carry up to 30 passengers. It also transported animals. One challenge was entering Ballina. The ship could only cross the sandbar there at high tide.
Ship Incidents and Challenges
The Oakland faced many challenges during its time at sea. These included running aground and collisions.
Groundings and Propeller Issues
On December 23, 1891, the Oakland got stuck near Ballina. It was damaged, and attempts to free it by unloading cargo did not work. Another ship, the Protector, was damaged trying to help.
The ship often had trouble crossing the sandbar at Ballina. On April 14, 1897, it lost two blades from its propeller there. It still managed to reach Sydney. The Oakland ran aground on the bar several more times. This happened on August 31, 1896, August 9, 1897, August 22, 1898, and December 21, 1898. It also got stuck in the Richmond River in July 1899. Each time, the ship was freed without lasting damage.
On February 11, 1901, the Oakland hit the ground twice. This caused damage and it started taking on water. This happened near Evans Head. When it reached Ballina, it got stuck on the bar again. An investigation found the captain was not to blame. The first incident was due to an unknown rock. The second was because of incorrect information about the water depth.
Collisions and Changes
In the early morning of June 24, 1893, the Oakland crashed into another ship, the Sydney. This happened near Bird Island. The Oakland continued to Newcastle with a dent in its front. An inquiry found the captain was at fault for not following rules.
On July 27, 1901, the Oakland collided with the Sarah L Hixson. This happened on the Richmond River. The captain was found not responsible for this crash. A year before this, the passenger area had been removed. This meant the Oakland was back to being a cargo-only ship.
Just three days after the Hixson collision, on August 26, 1901, the Oakland ran aground again. This happened at the mouth of the Richmond River. The ship was badly damaged. Many thought it was completely wrecked. However, it was refloated on October 1, 1901. After many repairs in Sydney, it returned to service in February 1902. It went back to its usual route.
The Final Journey
On May 27, 1903, the Oakland sank. The sea was very rough, with huge waves. The ship was carrying coal from Newcastle to Richmond. Captain Slater and 10 other people lost their lives.
Seven people survived the sinking. They were found in a damaged lifeboat eight hours later. Another ship, the SS Bellinger, rescued them.
No exact cause was found for the sinking. However, it was thought that the cargo might have shifted. A large tank had been added to the ship recently. This tank was for carrying liquid molasses.
One of the crew members who died was a young ship's boy named Cargill. His father, who was a chief steward on another ship, had also died at sea. A concert was held to raise money for the families of the victims.
A Shipwreck Dive Site
Today, the remains of the Oakland rest on the sandy seabed. It lies at a depth of about 27 meters (around 88 feet). The shipwreck is protected by law. It is now a popular spot for divers to explore.
