Great Lakes Manning River Shipping NSW
P.S. 'Huntress' (1853 - 1872) - Rountree Sale to Fitzgerald
An extract from the document showing the sale of the P.S. Huntress from Thomas Stephenson Rountree of Balmain to Thomas Henry Fitzgerald representing the Government of the Hawke's Bay Province in New Zealand. This document clearly indicates the spelling of Rountree - frequently incorrectly reported as Rowntree.
The Paddle Steamer Huntress operated out of the Hunter River and Sydney Harbour with some brief periods on the Hawkesbury River before being purchased by New Zealand interests. This section deals with the New Zealand operations - 1860 - 1872.
Other images related the Huntress are found in the Album HUNTRESS
SECTION 2. NEW ZEALAND OPERATION
Details :
Name: Huntress
Type: Schooner Rigged, Cutter/Paddle Steamer.
Length: 89.1 ft
Beam: 16.2 ft
Draft: 7.6 ft
Engine: 2 x 40 h.p. Steam/Built and installed by G. Russell & Co (Sydney)
Builder: Alexander Newton and William Malcolm
Launched: September 1853, Pelican Shipyards, Manning River, NSW.
Registered: Sydney 147/1853 - 25/9/1853
Re-Registered: Sydney 25/1857
Tonnage: Suggest 54.45 tons
Propelling Power: 32.01
Official Number: ON 032617
Construction:
-Carvel Planked
-Square Stern
Owners:
Australia
1853 -1856 Messrs. J. & A. Brown, of Newcastle.
1856 -1860 Thomas Stephenson Rountree [often incorrectly referred to as Rowntree], of Balmain.
New Zealand
1860 -1864 Government of Hawke’s Bay Province, New Zealand (registered Napier) Thomas Henry Fitzgerald. 12th March 1860.
1864 -1866 Donald McLean
1866 -1867 George Edward Read, 6th December 1866 (registered Auckland)
1867 -1871 William Souter 10th January 1867
1871 -1872 J. S. MacFarlane & Co.
HISTORY:
New Zealand
1860
SALE TO NEW ZEALAND INTERESTS
The Huntress was listed for sale and was officially sold to Thomas Henry Fitzgerald, Superintendent of Hawke’s Bay for £3000 on the 20th March 1860.
"We learn that Mr. Wright, the Director of Public Works, has succeeded in purchasing in Sydney for the Provincial Government of Hawke's Bay, a small steamer fitted up as a dredge, but capable, by the unshipping of the ladder and buckets, of being used as a tug, should circumstances at any time demand her services in this capacity. The price of the Huntress, for such is the name of the steamer, is £3100, [£3000] delivered in Napier. She is a paddle wheel boat, 90 tons burthen, built of hardwood, 5 years old, coppered and copper fastened, drawing 4 to 4 ½ ft., and with boilers and engines in first rate order. She is adapted to raise from 250 to 300 tons of mud per day, at a consumption of coals at the rate of one ton but it is said that with larger buckets, and without any perceptible additional consumption of fuel, she has power to raise 500 tons. The Huntress may be expected to arrive in a month or six weeks and will be ready for immediate work." The Hawke's Bay Herald, Napier, February 4 1860.
CROSSING THE TASMAN:
Under the command of Captain Ross, the Huntress experienced heavy weather in Cook Strait, partly under canvas, and partly under steam, she was running out of coal and had to put into Port Hardy, where the crew cut enough firewood to carry her on to Wellington. A defect in the boiler detained the Huntress for a further nine days in Wellington. Once again, the Huntress set out, part under steam and part canvas, taking a further fourteen days to reach Napier on the 14th May 1860.
COMMENCED AS A DREDGE:
On the 19th September of that same year she commenced her dredging operations, which at first appeared to be successful but ceased operating, due to the fact the sand came around her faster than she could dredge it out.
RE-CONVERTED TO PADDLE STEAMER
A commission of inquiry decided that dredging would be discontinued, and the Huntress was re-converted into a paddle steamer.
1864
Ownership of the Huntress was transferred to Donald McLean
1865
In September of 1865 the Huntress was actively engaged in the transportation of 200 troops at Opotiki during the Maori Wars.
1866
ADVERTISED FOR SALE - March 1866.
FOR SALE: The paddle steamer Huntress.
Particularly fitted for coasting trade; built of Australian hardwood. She has been newly rigged, coppered, and is in a thorough seaworthy state, being well found in every aspect, Length, 91 ½ feet; beam 16 feet; depth of hold, 7 feet; engines, nominal register, 60 horse power, speed 6½ to 7 knots. Press, 5 March 1866
ASHORE AT WAIROA - April 1866.
P.S. Huntress went ashore at Wairoa and became firmly stuck.
OWNERSHIP TRANSFERRED - December 6th. 1866 Ownership of the Huntress transferred to George Edward Read and registered in Auckland; received a thorough overhaul.
1867
NEW OWNER
Registration and ownership transferred to William Souter on the 10th January 1867.
ADVERTISED FOR SALE - March 1867
COLLISION - In April 1867 she was involved in a collision with the S.S. Murray off Woodpecker Bay, South of Greymouth on the west coast of New Zealand's South Island; she lost her bowsprit and became badly sprung. Sydney Mail - 18 May 1867.
CONVERTED TO COAL HULK - December 1867.
1868
CONVERTED TO FORE AND AFT SCHOONER January – May 1868.
"The coal–hulk Huntress was taken over to Messrs. Duthie and Ross’ yard, Custom House Street, yesterday, in order to undergo repairs. The Huntress was formerly a paddle–wheel steamer, but her engines have been removed, and the hull will be converted into a fore and aft schooner.
The tender of the above shipwrights for the work has been accepted, and no time will be lost in completing the work.
The spars are to be 60 feet and 54 feet in height.
The deck beams are to be replaced with new material, together with the bulwarks, &c.
She will be about 75 tons register, and carry a large cargo on a light draft. Daily Southern Cross- 28 January 1868
MAIDEN VOYAGE AS THE SCHOONER HUNTRESS
May – 30th May 1868, the Huntress sailed on her maiden trip to the Bay of Islands, to load coal for Napier.
CAUGHT IN GALE
June - 11th June while on a voyage from Russell to the Bay of Islands, the Huntress was caught in a gale off Cape Runaway, during which time her bulwarks were stove in and the winch and galley carried away.
1872
FINAL DEMISE OF THE HUNTRESS - 15th March 1872
(New Zealand Herald, March 20.) We are greatly indebted to Captain Farquhar, of the P.S. Duke of Edinburgh, for the following particulars of the wreck of the schooner Huntress, which occurred on Saturday last, off Cape Brett. The following is the statement of Captain Bowers, of the Huntress:
“The schooner Huntress left the Thames on Thursday last, in ballast, for Russell. After clearing the Gulf it came on to blow very heavy from the E.S.E., with thick dirty weather. At midnight passed the Poor Knights and shaped a course for Cape Brett, the weather at the time being very thick, with heavy squalls. At half-past three, having run my distance, and supposing the Cape to bear about W.S.W., hove the ship to on the starboard tack, the schooner heading about N.N.E. At 4 a.m., sighted high land on the lee bow. Immediately made sail on the vessel, and tried to stay her, but found she would not come round on account of the high sea running. Wore round and stood on the port tack. Sighted land on the lee bow, and seeing the vessel would not weather the point, tried to stay her again, but she missed stays, and took a stern board, arid in trying to wear her again, she struck an outlying rock, the cliffs being perpendicular overhead. I sung out to the crew to save them selves the best way they could. At this time the ship was hove on her beam ends, with her masts towards the shore. A heavy sea hove her clear of the rock. We had previously stripped all our clothes off, to try and swim ashore, as our only chance of saving ourselves. The sea washed her up against the cliff, and we all managed to get ashore, very much cut and bruised with the sharp rocks. If we had attempted to swim to the beach, I don't believe any of us would have reached it, as the sea would have dashed us against the rocks. At daylight, found the vessel to be ashore about one mile and a' half to the southward of Cape Brett. Had great difficulty in getting up the cliff, where the vessel came ashore was the only place we could have landed, as the cliffs are quite perpendicular for a long distance, on both sides. Having no means of saving any part of the wreck, and being quite naked and without food, we started to try and reach the Bay of Islands. Found the country very rugged, and having no food, and the weather very severe, we were quite exhausted, some of us having to crawl on our hands and knees, as our feet were so much cut. We came across a Maori, who took, us to his whare, and treated us very kindly, and gave us what he had. One Maori, Rewa Ariwa, carried me about two miles, and brought us on to Russell, where we arrived on Monday. We all wish to thank the Maoris for their kindness to us, and also for giving us a blanket, each. — J. Bowers."
Captain Farquhar informs us that he had seen the crew of the Huntress and found them very badly cut and bruised, and their limbs very much swollen. Captain Bowers was in the worst plight of all. An inquiry was to be held into the loss of the Huntress after the Duke [of Edinburgh] left Russell. Otago Daily Times - 2 April 1872
Acknowledgement: Much of the detail that has allowed this contribution to be compiled has been provided by the Hawke's Bay Museums Trust, Ruawharo Tā-ū-rangi, [50681] Hawke's Bay Museum Trust Collection. Permission to publish this extract is greatly appreciated.
All Images in this photostream are Copyright - Great Lakes Manning River Shipping and/or their individual owners as may be stated above and may not be downloaded, reproduced, or used in any way without prior written approval.
GREAT LAKES MANNING RIVER SHIPPING, NSW - Flick Group --> Alphabetical Boat Index --> Boat builders Index --> Tags List
P.S. 'Huntress' (1853 - 1872) - Rountree Sale to Fitzgerald
An extract from the document showing the sale of the P.S. Huntress from Thomas Stephenson Rountree of Balmain to Thomas Henry Fitzgerald representing the Government of the Hawke's Bay Province in New Zealand. This document clearly indicates the spelling of Rountree - frequently incorrectly reported as Rowntree.
The Paddle Steamer Huntress operated out of the Hunter River and Sydney Harbour with some brief periods on the Hawkesbury River before being purchased by New Zealand interests. This section deals with the New Zealand operations - 1860 - 1872.
Other images related the Huntress are found in the Album HUNTRESS
SECTION 2. NEW ZEALAND OPERATION
Details :
Name: Huntress
Type: Schooner Rigged, Cutter/Paddle Steamer.
Length: 89.1 ft
Beam: 16.2 ft
Draft: 7.6 ft
Engine: 2 x 40 h.p. Steam/Built and installed by G. Russell & Co (Sydney)
Builder: Alexander Newton and William Malcolm
Launched: September 1853, Pelican Shipyards, Manning River, NSW.
Registered: Sydney 147/1853 - 25/9/1853
Re-Registered: Sydney 25/1857
Tonnage: Suggest 54.45 tons
Propelling Power: 32.01
Official Number: ON 032617
Construction:
-Carvel Planked
-Square Stern
Owners:
Australia
1853 -1856 Messrs. J. & A. Brown, of Newcastle.
1856 -1860 Thomas Stephenson Rountree [often incorrectly referred to as Rowntree], of Balmain.
New Zealand
1860 -1864 Government of Hawke’s Bay Province, New Zealand (registered Napier) Thomas Henry Fitzgerald. 12th March 1860.
1864 -1866 Donald McLean
1866 -1867 George Edward Read, 6th December 1866 (registered Auckland)
1867 -1871 William Souter 10th January 1867
1871 -1872 J. S. MacFarlane & Co.
HISTORY:
New Zealand
1860
SALE TO NEW ZEALAND INTERESTS
The Huntress was listed for sale and was officially sold to Thomas Henry Fitzgerald, Superintendent of Hawke’s Bay for £3000 on the 20th March 1860.
"We learn that Mr. Wright, the Director of Public Works, has succeeded in purchasing in Sydney for the Provincial Government of Hawke's Bay, a small steamer fitted up as a dredge, but capable, by the unshipping of the ladder and buckets, of being used as a tug, should circumstances at any time demand her services in this capacity. The price of the Huntress, for such is the name of the steamer, is £3100, [£3000] delivered in Napier. She is a paddle wheel boat, 90 tons burthen, built of hardwood, 5 years old, coppered and copper fastened, drawing 4 to 4 ½ ft., and with boilers and engines in first rate order. She is adapted to raise from 250 to 300 tons of mud per day, at a consumption of coals at the rate of one ton but it is said that with larger buckets, and without any perceptible additional consumption of fuel, she has power to raise 500 tons. The Huntress may be expected to arrive in a month or six weeks and will be ready for immediate work." The Hawke's Bay Herald, Napier, February 4 1860.
CROSSING THE TASMAN:
Under the command of Captain Ross, the Huntress experienced heavy weather in Cook Strait, partly under canvas, and partly under steam, she was running out of coal and had to put into Port Hardy, where the crew cut enough firewood to carry her on to Wellington. A defect in the boiler detained the Huntress for a further nine days in Wellington. Once again, the Huntress set out, part under steam and part canvas, taking a further fourteen days to reach Napier on the 14th May 1860.
COMMENCED AS A DREDGE:
On the 19th September of that same year she commenced her dredging operations, which at first appeared to be successful but ceased operating, due to the fact the sand came around her faster than she could dredge it out.
RE-CONVERTED TO PADDLE STEAMER
A commission of inquiry decided that dredging would be discontinued, and the Huntress was re-converted into a paddle steamer.
1864
Ownership of the Huntress was transferred to Donald McLean
1865
In September of 1865 the Huntress was actively engaged in the transportation of 200 troops at Opotiki during the Maori Wars.
1866
ADVERTISED FOR SALE - March 1866.
FOR SALE: The paddle steamer Huntress.
Particularly fitted for coasting trade; built of Australian hardwood. She has been newly rigged, coppered, and is in a thorough seaworthy state, being well found in every aspect, Length, 91 ½ feet; beam 16 feet; depth of hold, 7 feet; engines, nominal register, 60 horse power, speed 6½ to 7 knots. Press, 5 March 1866
ASHORE AT WAIROA - April 1866.
P.S. Huntress went ashore at Wairoa and became firmly stuck.
OWNERSHIP TRANSFERRED - December 6th. 1866 Ownership of the Huntress transferred to George Edward Read and registered in Auckland; received a thorough overhaul.
1867
NEW OWNER
Registration and ownership transferred to William Souter on the 10th January 1867.
ADVERTISED FOR SALE - March 1867
COLLISION - In April 1867 she was involved in a collision with the S.S. Murray off Woodpecker Bay, South of Greymouth on the west coast of New Zealand's South Island; she lost her bowsprit and became badly sprung. Sydney Mail - 18 May 1867.
CONVERTED TO COAL HULK - December 1867.
1868
CONVERTED TO FORE AND AFT SCHOONER January – May 1868.
"The coal–hulk Huntress was taken over to Messrs. Duthie and Ross’ yard, Custom House Street, yesterday, in order to undergo repairs. The Huntress was formerly a paddle–wheel steamer, but her engines have been removed, and the hull will be converted into a fore and aft schooner.
The tender of the above shipwrights for the work has been accepted, and no time will be lost in completing the work.
The spars are to be 60 feet and 54 feet in height.
The deck beams are to be replaced with new material, together with the bulwarks, &c.
She will be about 75 tons register, and carry a large cargo on a light draft. Daily Southern Cross- 28 January 1868
MAIDEN VOYAGE AS THE SCHOONER HUNTRESS
May – 30th May 1868, the Huntress sailed on her maiden trip to the Bay of Islands, to load coal for Napier.
CAUGHT IN GALE
June - 11th June while on a voyage from Russell to the Bay of Islands, the Huntress was caught in a gale off Cape Runaway, during which time her bulwarks were stove in and the winch and galley carried away.
1872
FINAL DEMISE OF THE HUNTRESS - 15th March 1872
(New Zealand Herald, March 20.) We are greatly indebted to Captain Farquhar, of the P.S. Duke of Edinburgh, for the following particulars of the wreck of the schooner Huntress, which occurred on Saturday last, off Cape Brett. The following is the statement of Captain Bowers, of the Huntress:
“The schooner Huntress left the Thames on Thursday last, in ballast, for Russell. After clearing the Gulf it came on to blow very heavy from the E.S.E., with thick dirty weather. At midnight passed the Poor Knights and shaped a course for Cape Brett, the weather at the time being very thick, with heavy squalls. At half-past three, having run my distance, and supposing the Cape to bear about W.S.W., hove the ship to on the starboard tack, the schooner heading about N.N.E. At 4 a.m., sighted high land on the lee bow. Immediately made sail on the vessel, and tried to stay her, but found she would not come round on account of the high sea running. Wore round and stood on the port tack. Sighted land on the lee bow, and seeing the vessel would not weather the point, tried to stay her again, but she missed stays, and took a stern board, arid in trying to wear her again, she struck an outlying rock, the cliffs being perpendicular overhead. I sung out to the crew to save them selves the best way they could. At this time the ship was hove on her beam ends, with her masts towards the shore. A heavy sea hove her clear of the rock. We had previously stripped all our clothes off, to try and swim ashore, as our only chance of saving ourselves. The sea washed her up against the cliff, and we all managed to get ashore, very much cut and bruised with the sharp rocks. If we had attempted to swim to the beach, I don't believe any of us would have reached it, as the sea would have dashed us against the rocks. At daylight, found the vessel to be ashore about one mile and a' half to the southward of Cape Brett. Had great difficulty in getting up the cliff, where the vessel came ashore was the only place we could have landed, as the cliffs are quite perpendicular for a long distance, on both sides. Having no means of saving any part of the wreck, and being quite naked and without food, we started to try and reach the Bay of Islands. Found the country very rugged, and having no food, and the weather very severe, we were quite exhausted, some of us having to crawl on our hands and knees, as our feet were so much cut. We came across a Maori, who took, us to his whare, and treated us very kindly, and gave us what he had. One Maori, Rewa Ariwa, carried me about two miles, and brought us on to Russell, where we arrived on Monday. We all wish to thank the Maoris for their kindness to us, and also for giving us a blanket, each. — J. Bowers."
Captain Farquhar informs us that he had seen the crew of the Huntress and found them very badly cut and bruised, and their limbs very much swollen. Captain Bowers was in the worst plight of all. An inquiry was to be held into the loss of the Huntress after the Duke [of Edinburgh] left Russell. Otago Daily Times - 2 April 1872
Acknowledgement: Much of the detail that has allowed this contribution to be compiled has been provided by the Hawke's Bay Museums Trust, Ruawharo Tā-ū-rangi, [50681] Hawke's Bay Museum Trust Collection. Permission to publish this extract is greatly appreciated.
All Images in this photostream are Copyright - Great Lakes Manning River Shipping and/or their individual owners as may be stated above and may not be downloaded, reproduced, or used in any way without prior written approval.
GREAT LAKES MANNING RIVER SHIPPING, NSW - Flick Group --> Alphabetical Boat Index --> Boat builders Index --> Tags List