Acielle
 The sailing shipAcielleat mooring in Sydney Harbour while owned by Mr. Lebbeus Hordern
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | Acielle |
| Owner | Australian Iron & Steel Co |
| Builder | Tasmania,Australia |
| Completed | 1908 |
| Fate | Wrecked 11 September 1929 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Woodenketch |
| Tonnage | 40GRT |
| Crew | 4 |
TheAciellewas a 70-foot (21 m) woodenketchthat was wrecked 15 miles (24 km) south ofSmoky Cape,New South Waleson 11 September 1929.
Service history
[edit]TheAciellewas launched inTasmania,and sold to Mr Lebbeus Hordern of Sydney, who is credited with first having brought seaplanes to Australian waters.[1]Hordern used theAcielleas a parent ship for his seaplane, and named her after his survey company, ACL (Aerial Company Limited).[2]In 1921, Hordern purchased another four seaplanes, twoCurtiss three-seater 'Seagull'flying boats, a ten-seater Short twin engined craft, and aShort sportingseaplane. With no expense spared, he equipped theAcielleand set out to complete the first aerial navigation of the entire Australian coastline, covering around 150 miles per day.[3]
Eventually theAciellewas sold on again, and was next used as a pleasure yacht,[4]then refitted by the Australian Iron and Steel Company for a trip to investigate iron ore deposits on the northwest coast of Australia.[5]
Shipwreck event
[edit]It was during this expedition, two days out from Sydney en route toDerby, Western Australia,on 11 September 1929, that theAciellefoundered in a strong southeasterly gale. Her captain, Smith, and the crew of four endeavored to reach the shelter ofTrial Bay,New South Wales, but the vessel was overwhelmed by the violent seas, and ran ashore 15 miles (24 km) south ofSmoky Cape Lighthouse.[4]
The vessel was valued at £2500 and was insured.[4]
Wreck site and wreckage
[edit]The Kempsey Heritage Inventory states that the ship's anchor at the Heritage Hotel of Gladstone,Kempsey,is believed to have come from theAcielle.The anchor is believed to have lain under the sand but was frequently exposed by sea movement. The anchor was dragged from the sand by a member of the Jordan family who is a fisherman atHat Head.In 1974, it was transported to Gladstone Hotel (now renamed to the Heritage Hotel) and accepted by Jim Tedd, the then publican of Gladstone Hotel. It was placed in the garden of the hotel and remains there.[5]
References
[edit]- ^"Death of Mr L. Hordern",The Argus,11 September 1928.
- ^Hernan, Brian H. (2007).Forgotten Flyer.Tangee Publishing. p. 55.
- ^History of Rolls-Royce Chassis Number 2142Archived3 September 2008 at theWayback Machine
- ^abc"Ketch driven ashore",The Argus,13 September 1929.
- ^abKempsey Heritage InventoryArchived30 September 2009 at theWayback Machine
