Wreck of the SS Dicky

Low Tide on Dicky Beach, Caloundra, Queensland.

THE `DICKY`, AN IRON SCREW STEAM VESSEL, WAS BUILT IN 1885 BY G. HOWALDT OF KIEL, AND HER PORT OF REGISTRATION WAS HAMBURG GERMANY. HER TONNAGE WAS 226 GROSS AND 144 NETT, LENGTH 96 1/2 FEET, BEAM 21 FEET DEPTH 14FT9. HER OFFICIAL NUMBER AS A BRITISH MERCHANT SHIP WAS 88841.

SHE WAS REGISTERED IN BRISBANE AS A COASTING VESSEL BY HER OWNERS BRYDON JONES & CO. SHIPPING AGENTS AND SMALL STEAMER OWNERS. THE `DICKY` WAS ON A VOYAGE FROM ROCKHAMPTON TO BRISBANE WITH SAND AND WATER BALLAST, IN FEBRUARY 1893, WHEN SHE ENCOUNTERED A VERY SEVERE GALE. THIS PREVENTED HER FROM ROUNDING POINT WICKHAM (CALOUNDRA HEAD).

SHE WAS BEING DRIVEN TOWARDS THE REEF, AND HER MASTER, CAPTAIN JOHN SUMMERS BEATTIE, TO SAVE LIFE AND PROPERTY, STEERED FOR THE SHORE AND STRANDED HER IN THE VICINITY OF JOHN WILSON`S HOUSE, ON 4TH FEBRUARY. NO LIVES WERE LOST. THE WIND AND WAVES BUILT UP A SANDBAR, AND ALL EFFORTS TO REFLOAT THE `DICKY` FAILED. THE PROPELLOR MOUNTED ABOVE WAS SALVAGED FROM THE WRECK.

From the SS Dicky Monument.

18/31 March 12 Months/365 Days in Colour