Loss of the s.s. 'Golden Fleece' - 'From Liverpool papers to hand by the last mail we gather the following particulars of the loss of the fine screw steamer Golden Fleece, commanded by Captain W. Fisher, a son or Mr. John Charles Fisher, of Launceston. The Golden Fleece was an iron screw steamer, built at Blackwall in the year 1854. She was of the burthen of 2445 tons gross, and 1439 tons net, and of 300-horse power nominal. She was bark rigged, her crew consisted of 41 hands all told, and she was owned by the Mercantile Trading Company of Liverpool.
She left that port in ballast on 4th September, bound for Cardiff, where she arrived on the 6th, and after receiving on board there about 2017 tons of coal, sailed on the 10th, bound on a voyage to Alexandria, Besides the coal taken on board at Cardiff, she had a quantity which was put into the bunkers at Liverpool, making a total of 2445 tons. The vessel was therefore very deeply laden, drawing 24ft. 4in. aft and 23ft. 7in. forward, but to all appearance was in every way staunch and well-fitted for the voyage.
When she left Penarth Dock the wind was fresh from the SW, and though the weather was clear the captain deemed it prudent to come to an anchor in the roads on the morning of the 10th in 13 fathoms, but kept a full head of steam in the boilers. Everything appeared all right, but about half-past nine o'clock at night the second officer came up and reported that the ship had sprung a leak, that the water was coming out of the star-board side bunker, and that she was filling fast. Steam was got up, and all the pumps attached. The cable was slipped, and in a few minutes from the first alarm the engines were turned ahead, with the ship's head to shore. But the water poured in so rapidly that the fires were soon extinguished and there was no moving the vessel on.
In the meantime all hands were called on deck, rockets and blue lights fired as distress signals, and the boats got ready. Soon after a pilot boat hove in sight. The crew took to the boats, and went on hoard the pilot vessel, and within two or three minutes of the last boat leaving the steamer she went down stern fore-most, within forty minutes after the first alarm had been given.
The captain displayed the greatest coolness and courage throughout. It is surmised that one of the coaling ports (these had been closed securely on the previous day) from some cause or other got adrift; that during the day, more especially when the ship lay athwart the tide as she did for 20 minutes at low water, the water washed in at the port, but being absorbed in the coal it gave no indication of its presence; that the vessel slowly and imperceptibly settled under the additional weight until at last the sill of the coal port being on a level with the sea, the water rushed in.
All the rest would follow as a matter of course. The pressure of water against the port would force it right open. Every effort was made by the captain and all on board to meet the emergency, but to no purpose. The evidence taken at the subsequent investigation by the Board of Trade showed that Capt. Fisher, who holds a master's certificate of competency, acquitted himself most creditably in the trying position in which he was placed.
The question was asked by his counsel whether there was any occasion for calling the captain, or for saying anything on his behalf. The Board, after a few minutes' consultation, said there had been no charge against the captain, nor had there been any imputation cast upon him. They did not consider it necessary, therefore, for him to be examined, and they had great pleasure in returning him his certificate.
Captain Fisher is a young man who has now been sailing about ten years out of this port, and the fact of his having been appointed to the command of such a fine vessel, and his behaviour during the ordeal through which he had to pass, combined with the complimentary manner in which he was spoken of at the Board of Trade enquiry, speak well for his thorough seamanlike qualities and abilities. We may mention that his eldest brother commands the s.s. Delaware, 1442 tons register, out of Liverpool.' - Launceston Examiner [867] 18th December 1869.
