Type :
|
Schooner
|
Launched :
|
unknown
|
Builder :
|
unknown
|
Gross :
|
unknown
|
Dimensions :
|
unknown
|
Passenger capacity :
|
unknown
|
Speed :
|
unknown |
Edwin
was an early vessel that operated on the waterways in and around
Sydney in the late 18th century and early 19th century carrying
passengers and goods.She was owned by Thomas Raby (who later had the
suburb of that name named after him).
She was known at this time to carry passengers to and from the
Hawkebury as well as longer trips to the Hunter River - no small trip
for such a small vessel.
By 1804 she had been sold to Stuart Ambrose and was undertaking longer
trips to locations as far as King Island where she carried oil and
skins from the sealing station there back to Sydney Town.
In October 1804 she attempted to take under tow the
Speedwell which had run into
difficuties in a squall on the Hawkesbury, this was to prove fruitless
but she did manage to save the master and two passengers.
In June 1816 while undertaking a trip to Broken Bay and Port Stephens
she was blown off course and lost her sails. Around 80 miles north of
Port Stephens she was pushed by the surf onto a beach along with her
master (Mr Matthews), his wife and child and two crewman. The local
aboriginals plundered the vessel and stole everything (including the
clothing) from the unfortunate people who were then forced to make a
fifteen day trek of around 100 miles, naked, to the nearest settlement
subsisting on oysters and small shell fish for the trip.
The Commandant of Newcastle put out a rescue mission and fortunately
all of
Edwin's people were
saved, however the natives responsible for the theft could not be
located.