Francis | NSW Environment, Energy and Science
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Francis

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History

The Francis was wrecked at Newcastle  north of the 1805 entrance in March of that year. The Francis played an important role in rescuing survivors of one of Australia's most significant shipwreck events - the Sydney Cove wreck in the Furneaux Group of islands, Tasmania, in 1797. On the third of three rescue voyages, Lt Mathew Flinders was among the ship's company. Later that year, George Bass conducted initial exploration to determine whether Tasmania was an island and later, he and Flinders circumnavigated Tasmania to put the issue beyond doubt.

Database

Site information

Site ID: 1472
Type: Schooner Construction: Wood
Primary industry: Transport Sub-industry: cargo - coastal
Gross tonnage: 40 Net tonnage: 40
Length (mtrs): Beam (mtrs):
Draft (mtrs): Cargo: General stores
Engine: NA
Country built: AUSTRALIA State built: New South Wales
Port built: Sydney Harbour builder:
Port registered: Sydney When built: 1793
Registration number: - Official number: -
Sources: Sydney Gazette 31/3, 28/4/1805 Historical Records of Australia 1, V Historical Records of NSW Nash, M, 'Cargo for the Colony', Navarine Publishing, 2nd edition, 2001
Comments: The 'Francis' played an important role in rescuing survivors of the 'Sydney Cove' wreck in the Furneaux Group of islands, Tasmania, in 1797. On the third voyage, Lt Mathew Flinders was among the ship's company.

Lost event
When lost: 1805/03/21 Where lost: Newcastle, nth of 1805 entrance
Wrecked/Refloated: Wrecked Sinking: Anchor parted
From port: Sydney To port: Newcastle
Master: Capt Edwards Owner:
Crew: 8 Passengers:
Crew deaths: Passenger deaths:
Total deaths: 0

Location
Maximum latitude: -32.917667 Minimum latitude: -32.883333
Maximum longitude: 151.8 Minimum longitude: -32.883333
Datum used: WGS84
  Datum    Latitude    Longitude    Zone    Easting    Northing
AGD66 -32.91767192078230 151.80000000000000 56 387793.21367478500000 6357188.65728812000000
AGD84 -32.91767192078230 151.80000000000000 56 387793.21367478500000 6357188.65728812000000
GDA94 -32.91766703260700 151.80000000000000 56 387793.61481683100000 6357201.83327424000000
WGS84 -32.91766703174590 151.80000000000000 56 387793.61481628800000 6357201.83326807000000

Management
Found: No Inspected: NO
Protected: Uch act 2018 & heritage act 1977 Jurisdiction: Federal and State
Protection notes:
Signage: Web address:
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