The SS Georgette

1. The SS Georgette Prepared by; Josephine, Paris, Rory, Callum, Marcus, Alessia, Saskia, Eloise and Taylor.

2. The SS Georgette The SS Georgette was shipwrecked off the coast of Western Australia in 1876. The SS Georgette was a screw steamer and had a schooner ring with 2 masts. She was built in Dumbarton, England in1872. The SS Georgette was sold to a WA buyer for £14, 000, she arrived in Fremantle in September 1873. She weighs approximately 211 tons, she was 46.2m long, 6.9m wide and 3.4m deep, with 48 horse power. The SS Georgette could hold up to 460 tons and had a 12 pound howitzer. A howitzer is a cannon. By Josie

4. First Voyage On her first voyage the SS Georgette sailed from Champion Bay to Fremantle and then on to Albany. The SS Georgette carried both passengers and cargo. On the SS Georgette’s first trip she go stranded on the Murry Reef causing damage to her hull. To be repaired she was sent to Adelaide. In October 1873 she was damaged on the reef but in March 1874 she got back to her job. By Paris

5. Where the SS Georgette sailed on her first voyage. Where the SS Georgette sailed. Map of The SW of Western Australia Geraldton Perth Albany

6. The Catalpa Incident The Catalpa was an American whaling ship. The Catalpa was to pick up a group of Fenian prisoners. Georgette was asked by authorities to assist by taking over the whaling vessel. The Georgette attempted to catch the fenians but was unsuccessful. The following day the Captain of the Georgette and crew returned to the Catalpa demanding the return of the prisoners. The Captain George Anthony said that he had no knowledge of having any prisoners aboard and said that the Georgette should go away because they were sailing safely in international waters. With this the Georgette fired a warning shot from its 12 pounder 5kg cannon. The Catalpa sailed off with the Georgette chasing them closely. The Georgette eventually had to abandon the chase because they were running low on fuel. By Rory and Callum

8. SS Georgette Last Voyage and Sinking. The SS Georgette left Fremantle carrying 50 passengers. She left Bunbury the following day carrying the jarrah logswhile she was getting loaded the logs damaged the hull. While she was sailing she started to fill with water. The people dropped some life boats but they were snapped in half by the rocks. It sunk on the 29th of November 1876. Not all of the passengers survived, twelve of the passengers died. By Alessia and Marcus

10. The Rescue The rescue happened in April 1876. Sam Isacc was the person who spotted the struggling passengers in the water so he rushed to get Grace Bussell. Grace went on horseback and rode out to sea to rescue the passengers. Grace Bussell rescued all passengers except 12. Sam assisted Grace with rescuing the last passengers. The other passengers were taken to the homestead. Both Sam and Grace were rewarded for their bravery. By Eloise and Saskia

12. Sam Isaac was born in Augusta 1845. He became a hero in 1876 Sam was 30 years of age when he saw the SS Georgette. Sam’s mother was an Aboriginal and Sam’s father came from America in 1830 on a Whaling ship. For Sam’s bravery, Sam was awarded 100 acres of land and a bronze medal. The town called Gracetown was named after Grace Bussell. Grace was a daughter of the first settlers in Margaret River (W.A) In1865 her parents, Ellen and Alfred Bussell moved to Wallcliffe home stead near the mouth of the Margaret River For her bravery Grace was awarded a silver medal and a gold watch. Sam Isaacs Grace Bussell By Taylor

13. Sam Isaacs and Grace Bussell were awarded medals for their bravery.

14. Thank you for watching from the year 5’s (B) at St Paul’s Primary School Mt Lawley