The Blackbird
This is the story of the Dew Drop. Read along and don't forget to hover or mouse over the multi media videos.
Chapter 1
A Ship built for Australia
The Blackbird was build in 1863 in Newcastle, England. The ship was an iron Barque type, steam powered ship with 3 masts. The Blackbird could sail by steam power or wind power. It was ordered by a Melbourne company and it sailed to Australia as soon as it was finished. As a new ship, it sailed between Australia and New Zealand transporting people and cargo.
Chapter 2
Helping Melbourne Grow
The Blackbird became an important part of the supply to the growing city of Melbourne, Australia during its Goldrush period. It transported coal to the city that provided heat to keep the people warm and fuel that powered the trains and businesses.
Chapter 3
A Fateful Trip and Daring Rescue
After 15 year of service, the Blackbird made a fateful trip to Port Albert in 1878. While navigating the sand bars, the Blackbird's Captain McConachy made a navigation error thinking a sand bar was a shoal of fish. The Blackbird ran aground and stuck fast on the sand of Clonmel Island. The crew's lives might have been in danger if not for two brave young people, Willie and Louis Smith age 13 and 16. They used their father's boat to rescue the crew of the Blackbird, 24 people. Thankfully, no one drowned but the Blackbird sunk and its remains can still be seen if you explore near Clonmel Island.
