The wooden top sail schooner Jones Brothers was wrecked at the entrance to Newcastle Harbour on August 31, 1905. The Jones Brothers was a regular coal trader between Sydney and Newcastle. On the 30th of August, the vessel, towed by the steamer Helen Nicoll, left Newcastle in fine weather bound for Sydney. Early the next morning, the look-out at Signal Hill observed the two vessels heading back for Newcastle. The weather had since changed with a strong gale blowing and heavy seas. When almost abreast with Nobby’s Head the tow-line to the Jones Brothers broke and it was driven close to Stockton Breakwater. The Helen Nicoll however, managed to retie to the schooner and made out to sea. Nonetheless, soon after the tie-line broke again. Both vessels initially drifted from the sight of the Signal Hill lookout but the Helen Nicoll reappeared. With its towing light removed the steamer seemed to be searching for the lost schooner. Much to the surprise of the lookout and later the pilot of the life-boat, whom had been summoned, no distress calls were issued by either vessel. At that stage it was presumed and hoped the schooner had been blown further out to sea. By daybreak the steamer was again seen cruising off-shore until it finally headed south back to Newcastle harbour. The vessel was initially unable to enter the harbour due to poor weather conditions. The fate of the Jones Brothers and its crew remained a mystery. When the Helen Nicoll finally arrived at its wharf there were frantic scenes. Relatives of those on-board the Jones Brothers waited for news of the crew, but none had survived. Soon after mooring, Captain Penner, of the Helen Nicoll, recalled the night’s events to the agent (Mr A Hough) of the Jones Brothers. On leaving Newcastle both vessels had made as far as Catherine Hill Bay, when strong winds forced the vessel back to Newcastle. On attempting to enter the Harbour the vessels, abreast of the tramway sheds, suddenly lost their line. Although, the Helen Nicoll managed to retie the line, it was again broken and the Jones Brothers was hit by three successive large waves. The schooner was driven close to the previously wrecked Adolphe and was considerably damaged by the heavy seas. The Helen Nicoll was blown out to sea and in attempting to save itself could not even spare the time to send out a distress call.
Evidence that the Jones Brothers had wrecked was found floating near Nobby’s Head. A mast, spars and other debris were found including the hatch combing on which was found the identification number of the Jones Brothers. The crew of six, including Captain Olson?, all perished.
The top sail schooner was 1141-ton and 34.8 metres in length. It was built in Jervis Bay, NSW in 1893 and was registered at Sydney at the time of its loss. .
