Capricorn and Bunker Group

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deaths. The wreck was later purchased for 140 pounds and hopes were high that she could be refloated until examination showed her to be breaking up underwater She lies in shallow water about 100metres from the reef and her stern post comes very close to the surface, a hazard to boats trying to find the wreck. The wreck is mostly flattened but her boilers a compound single screw motor, rudder and propeller still remain making it a nice change from the reef dives in the area. Within 50metres of the Tambooroora lies the unidentified remains of a timber wreck and within half a mile lie two other wrecks of historical significance, including the wreck of the

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mast head, bearing north at the supposed distance of six leagues, of which captain Cook does not make any mention;* and the furthest visible part of the main land was a conspicuous hill, named Mount Larcom, in compliment to captain Larcom of the navy. It bore W. ½° N., ten or eleven leagues; but the coast line between it and the north head of Bustard Bay, seemed to be much broken.

805: 2166:?) of 107 tons and 81 feet in length. Built in Nova Scotia by Jam in 1852 the vessel was struck by a squall during a voyage from Rockhampton to Richmond River under the command of McNeil. A course was set to steer her ashore when the wind dropped, leaving her helpless to drift onto the reef where rising seas soon destroyed her no lives lost carrying ballast shallow site. 2392:

responded to her call and rescued her crew of 84 and 200 passengers. After several unsuccessful salvage attempts she was abandoned to the underwriters it was later gutted by fire on 26 January 1927. She now lies broken up and scattered over the reef and a few beams and machinery parts in the coral in

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a brigantine was lost on 30 April 1872 in the vicinity of the northern edge of the Capricorn Islands Most of her cargo and gear was recovered and the vessel was later refloated from Broomfield Reef but some time later wrecked in New Zealand in 1880. Built in the Tweed River of New South Wales in 1865

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The vessel was originally stated as having hit at Lady Musgrave reef (most unlikely) later news reports claim wreck on Heron Island with some other reports mention the wreck on either One Tree Island or Mast Head. The vessel was built in 1861 at Ulladulla New South Wales and registered in Sydney with

991:

reports that he had helped to complete the work of removal from Fairfax to North-east Island. In about ten days, but, owing to the bad weather experienced, it occupied sixteen days to get through with It. So bad was the weather, that in fourteen days the vessel was only able to Steam for fifty hours,

813: 2076:

A wooden carvel schooner / brig of 103 tons and 70 feet in length built in Sydney in 1847 by the builder Ale and owned by C.L. Throck. The vessel ran aground on 1 June 1864 in the Bunker Group at the northwestern side of "middle island" (she was wrecked on Fairfax Island (middle island - Bunker

740:

Wednesday 23rd Continued our Course a long shore at the distance of about 2 Miles off having from 12 to 9, 8 and 7 fathom water until 5 oClock at which time we were abreast of the South point of a large open bay where in I intended to anchor. accordingly we hauld in close upon a wind and

2287:

The 285-ton wooden 133-foot-long (41 m) barque built in Cardiff, Wales in 1867 on a voyage to Cooktown from Newcastle with coal struck a reef (Boult Reef) to the north of No.3 Island in the Bunker Group on 16 November 1885. The master and crew landed safely on the island and after a short rest

2244:

Wharf a church organ built to order in London for St. Pauls Church, this German barque ran onto Polmaise (Masthead?) Reef and eventually with plans underway to have her refloated but a gale on 29 September 1883 broke her up became a total loss. The cargo was salvaged during the same year by a large

741:

sent a boat a head to sound. after making some trips we anchor'd at 8 oClock in 5 fathom water a Sandy bottom the South point of the Bay bore E3/4 South distance 2 Miles and the north point NW1/4 N and about 2 Miles from the ^shore in the bottom of the bay...........

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The sand cays are all located to the lee of their reef flat, whereas the shingle cays, with the exception of Lady Musgrave, are located on the windward side. They vary in size, covering from one to 12 percent of the reef top surface area and there does not appear to be any correlation between

2652:

Narrative of the surveying voyage of H.M.S. Fly, commanded by Captain F.P.Blackwood, R.N. in Torres Strait, New Guinea, and other islands of the Eastern Archipelago, during the years 1842–1846: Together with an Excursion into the Interior of the Eastern Part of Java By Joseph Beete Jukes, Francis

2328:

An iron emigrant vessel of 226 feet and 1208 tons Built in Glasgow in 1876 Last seen after departing Maryborough after ignoring a warning from the pilot but still headed out to sea in a rising gale on 17 February 1888 bound for Newcastle, presumed lost during cyclone; wreckage reported on a coral

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sited the wreckage on the northwestern side of "middle Bunker island" on 13 August 1864 and the crew went ashore and found part of the wreck had been salvaged with equipment and tents hauled onto one of the islands and the wreck had broken into two parts with many timbers strewn about on the

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WEDNESDAY 4 AUGUST 1802, the wind had shifted gradually round, from north to the south-westward; and at noon the north head of Bustard, Bay was brought to bear S. 16° E., four leagues, our latitude being then 23° 48', and longitude 151° 40'. A low island was seen from the

2202:

was a barque which hit Polmaise Reef off Masthead Island on 2 February 1873. She was outward bound from Rockhampton for London with a general cargo the vessel was subsequently salvaged. It is believed that the wreck site has been found and it lies in shallow water. The vessel struck the reef and

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The cays occur on planar reefs of various sizes and with various levels of exposure to the prevailing winds. These factors have largely determined cay size and composition, which consists either of shingle, sand, or a mixture of both. Cay stability is profoundly affected by cyclonic disturbance.

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hit Polmaise reef on the southern side while carrying a cargo that included explosives. The vessel had left Brisbane on 23 May 1900 and as the vessel passed Bustard Head during the night on a North West course. At 2:30 am the vessel struck Polmaise Reef and was carried onto the reef by a strong

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Jan 21 Captain Blackwood and Mr Evans being ashore to "take sights" for the chronometers, found on the island some traces of the wrecked crew. On one tree was cut "The America, June 1831;" on another "Mary Ann Broughton;" on another "Capt. E. David;" and "Nelson November, 1831." There were

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on 22 July 1879 the steel steamship struck Polmaise Reef The steamship was 162 feet in length and 406 tons built in Glasgow in 1875, she was wrecked on Polmaise reef while on a voyage to Rockhampton from Sydney via Brisbane and Maryborough, carrying general cargo of grain/produce there were no

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struck Masthead Reef/Polmaise Reef on 21 March 1866. The 80-foot-long (24 m) 2 masted schooner of 119 tons had been built in 1837 at Cowes on the Isle of Wight and was a regular coasting schooner during the 1850s and 1860s; it had on board a cargo of hides and tallow as well as

1000:

in tow. Heavy weather was encountered, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday the line parted, and not withstanding all the efforts made, it proved impossible to pick up the ketch again, and it was decided to make for Burnett Heads, which were not reached, as stated, till 4 p.m. the same day. The

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The Pacific Islands Company, having worked cut the guano deposits at Fairfax Island, Bunker Group, is now transferring their plant to North-west Island in the Capricorn Group, which will be "the head- quarters for some time to" come (says the "Bundaberg Star" of yesterday). The steamer

2773:

Stokes, T., Hulsman, K., O’Neill, P. & M. Short. 1997. 'Natural Heritage Attribute: Birds', in Lucas, P.H.C., Webb, T., Valentine, P.S. & H. Marsh (eds), The Outstanding Universal Value of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, GBRMPA, Env. Aus. & QPWS, Townsville,

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an 85-foot-long (26 m), 110-ton brigantine built at Mechanic's Bay, Auckland in 1880 on 9 November 1884 struck no. 1 Bunker Island and was refloated after cargo (timber) salvaged, taken to Rockhampton. Eventually became a total loss due wrecking in Fitzroy River 1905.

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in 1865 at Gloucester, Mass. On a voyage from Adelaide to Townsville with a cargo of flour, bran, chaff and cement broke up on One Tree Island. An inquiry found that her loss was caused by the incompetence of her master and mate. The master's certificate was cancelled.

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A German wooden three-masted barque of 833 tons built in Ost Hammelwarden (Hamburg)., Germany in 1858 of 150 x 32 x 17.5 ft. hit Polmaise Reef on 22 July 1883 Carrying 1,000 tons of general cargo for Rockhampton from London including cast-iron screw piles for the

2178:. Departed from Sydney with general cargo for Broadsound; and ran aground on Lady Musgrave Is; maybe on Heron Is or One Tree Island or Masthead Reef. Lost on a reef off Heron Island on the night of 17 December 1868. The crew took to the boat and safely reached the 923:

likewise the soles of a pair of child’s shoes, some bottles, some broken dishes, and an old cask. I believe the wreck was that of a whaler, and that the crew were taken off by another whaler, as there were no signs of either graves or bones.

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The vessel struck an outcrop of Masthead Reef on 12 March, an anchor was dropped but she dragged along the rocks until stopped by a large rock which pierced her bottom and held her upright. The crew launched a boat and sailed to Keppel Bay.

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during the 1930s. The island had been a hub for a number of pleasure cruises when eventually more extensive construction of tourist facilities occurred in 1938 and 1939 at Lady Musgrave Island, including six cottages and other facilities.

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In the AM I went a shore with a party of men in order to examine the Country accompanied by Mr Banks and the other gentlemen. we landed alittle within the South point of the Bay where there is a channel leading into a large Lagoon

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and their reefs lie on the western marginal shelf, and are separated from the mainland by the Curtis Channel. The cays are not generally visible from the mainland, although Masthead Island may be viewed from Mount Larcom on a clear day.

987:, which was chartered by the company for this work, returned to Bundaberg on Sunday afternoon, bringing Mr. A. E. Ellis, the local manager, and account forty Japanese, whose services are being dispensed with. The captain of the 791:

The Mitchell Library holds a portrait of Eber Bunker wearing a white waistcoat and white linen ruffled shirt each with stand collars, a white stock at neckline, and a navy blue wool double-breasted jacket with brass buttons titled

2217:

was a two-masted wooden schooner 82 feet in length and 96 tons. Built in Singapore in 1875 was wrecked on North Reef or Tryon Island reef on a voyage from Sydney to Townsville with general cargo of wool on 16 September 1878

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A tourist Resort and Marine Scientific Research Station have been established on Heron Island. A manned lighthouse operates at North Island and the University of Sydney operates a field research station on One Tree Island.

736:'s first voyage of discovery he sailed well inside the island group between 21 and 25 May 1770, typically two to five miles (3.2 to 8.0 km) offshore. He then made his second landing in Australia at the town of 1770. 1009:

Yet latter during September 1933 the leases and guano rights of Fairfax and Hoskyn Islands, off Gladstone, were sold by auction at Gladstone. They were bought on behalf of the Barrier Reef Phosphate (Guano) Syndicate.

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Jan 13 to 18 - The Fly, the Bramble and the boats were engaged in surveying the group of islands and reefs about, which, from the tropic of Capricorn running through them, have been called the Capricorn Group......

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But while en route from Sydney to Batavia in ballast, the vessel struck a reef near Wreck Island and was wrecked on 20 June 1831. The crew launched two boats and eventually reached Morton Bay. The whaling barque

2336:

A wooden schooner of 74 tons and 81 feet built on the Williams River, NSW lost at Lamont Reef/Wistari Reef on 22 February 1888. The vessel salvaged and refloated and subsequently lost in Bass Strait March 1901.

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began to rise, until it stabilised at its present level around 6000 years ago. Once the sea level stabilised, it was possible for reef flats to expand and provide potential sites for the formation of cays.

599: 429: 387: 515: 345: 473: 557: 682: 919:. This was so named for part of a vessel 6 or 700 tons. The island was about a quarter of a mile long and not more than 100 yards broad; a pile of sand covered by thick bushes. 2140:

built in Newcastle in Maine and had previously been registered at San Francisco (1849) at it arrived in Hobart on 17 April 1851 after having been purchased by Mr Boys for £700

2349:

struck Polmaise Reef while on a voyage to New Zealand with cargo of bone/bone dust from Rockhampton; not salvaged. She was 96 feet long and 149 tons and built in Jervis Bay NSW in 1876

904:

On January the 12th We anchored a few miles farther to the N.W. in the centre of a group of reefs and islands, under one thickly wooded island that afterwoods obtained the name if

1021:

Turtle soup canneries operated on North West Island from 1904–14 and 1924–26, and on Heron Island from 1925–29. Old boilers and other remnants from these activities remain on site.

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charted from Sandy Cape to Whitsunday Island, including Swain Reefs and Capricorn Islands and the broad passages between. On 7 January 1843, was the first time that the crew of

1374:) once nested on most of the cays and breeds during the winter months, nest sites are now restricted to Tryon, North West, Wilson, Wreck, East Fairfax and West Hoskyn Islands. 866:, fitted with costly instruments, and carrying two scientists, Joseph Jukes, geologist, and John MacGillivray, zoologist, sailed from Falmouth in April 1842 with the cutter 2730:

Hopley, D. (1982) The Geomorphology of the Great Barrier Reef - Quaternary Development of Coral Reefs. Wiley-Interscience Publication, John Wiley and Sons Ltd., New York

870:, under the charge of Lieutenant Charles Yule. After a stop in Hobart Town from August to October, the two ships called at Sydney and began the survey in December 1842. 2761:

Mather and Bennett, 1993 A Coral Reef Handbook: a guide to the geology, flora and fauna of the Great Barrier Reef, 3rd Ed. Australian Coral Reef Society Handbook Series

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a wooden ship of 391 tons and 108 feet in length. The vessel had been built in Quebec, Canada, in 1827, owned by James Gray and captained by Robert Donal. The vessel

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While running from Brisbane to Cairns with passengers she ran gently on to North Reef near Heron Island, Queensland, 7 July 1926 and sent out an S.O.S call. The

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It is likely that during World War II Lady Musgrave reef was also used for bombing practice "with the reef now practically a marine desert" as reported in 1952.

214:, including twin cays on Hoskyn and Fairfax Reefs. North West Island (105 hectares, 260 acres) is the largest coral cay in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. 1105:

The area also has many visits by both passing vessels cruising the Queensland cost and day trippers in fast jet catamarans (typically Lady Musgrave Island).

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was a steel passenger steamer of 3839 tons. She had a triple-expansion single screw and had been built 1907 for Howard Smith Line 330 x 46 x 21.4 ft.

91: 1139:

period) and the coastal plain on which today's reefs and cays developed was completely exposed. Early in the Holocene (around 10,000 years ago) the

2945:

Australian shipwrecks Vol. 4 1901-1986 By Loney, J. K. (Jack Kenneth), 1925-1995. Portarlington Vic. Marine History Publications, 1987 910.4530994 LON

1251:

All the cays, except Broomfield Cay, have been identified as significant seabird breeding islands. In recent years, a colony of lesser crested tern

2640:

Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia, performed between the years 1818 and 1822. By Captain Phillip P. King.

58: 2591: 2370:

The 132-foot, 252-ton screw steamer on 3 July 1903 was wrecked on Fitzroy Reef. The Steamer was specifically designed for transporting timber.

2203:

remained fast on falling tide. The master and most of the passengers left in the pinnace to obtain assistance, leaving the mate in charge. The

338:

Additional to these are several reef structures separate from the individual island but still part of the Capricorn Group of islands including

2797: 2174:

sunk between 11 and 17 December 1868 on Lady Musgrave Island / Heron Island / Masthead Reef or One Tree Island. The vessel was a two-masted

2513: 2150:

and was salvaged with no lives lost. Bound from Sydney to Gladstone with cattle, she went ashore Masthead Reef and became a total wreck.

2993: 975:, where profound impacts on vegetation were sustained as a result of the industry. Some remains of these activities are still evident. 2539: 1041:

as a tourist attraction. In 1936 he bought the lease of the island for £290 and set up a tourist resort which is still in operation.

2207:

After which the reef in named was a wooden Barque of 753 tons and 171 feet in length was built by Ale in Dundee England in 1853

901:

The single tree (which was in fact a small clump of common pandanus of these seas, with its roots exposed above ground).......

759:, a 334-ton sloop, to make a survey along the southern coast of the Australian mainland he passed inshore of the island group. 2565: 2378:

On 15 June 1914, near Masthead Island the 89-ton two-masted wooden Schooner built at Brooklyn, New York in 1879 went aground.

1172:

1. Vegetated sand cays:- North West, Heron, Masthead, Erskine, Wilson, Wreck, Tryon, North, Fairfax (West), and Hoskyn (West).

1116:

The Capricorn and Bunker Cays form part of a distinct geomorphic province at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef. The

2124:

7 passengers.: All of the 14 passengers and crew landed safely on Masthead Island, then proceeded to Rockhampton.

1248:

The Capricorn and Bunker Group contains 73–75 percent of all seabird biomass in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

225: 862:

in the first hydrographic survey commissioned by the Admiralty for exploring and charting the north-east Australian coast.

1005:

apparently got through all right, for she was reported off Bustard Head on Sunday, and is expected to arrive here tomorrow

836:

July 19, 1820 we steered on, and, a ten o’clock discovered a group of low woody islets. They were named Bunker Isles

217:

The islands have high natural values, notably breeding populations of seabirds, marine turtles and coral cay vegetation.

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the Official number of 36858 and a Registered number of 9/1861 with a gross tonnage of 80 tons and 82 feet in length

2888:

Australian shipwrecks Vol. 2 1851-1871 By Loney, J. K. (Jack Kenneth), 1925-1995. Sydney. Reed, 1980 910.4530994 LON

2024: 1985: 1203: 252: 2612: 2303:

Wreck site found in 1957 in twenty-eight metres. Only the anchor chain, windlass and cement barrels were found.

2104:

Was wrecked on 12 March 1866 on Masthead Reef or Polmaise Reef. The 87-ton, 80-foot-long (24 m) two-masted

1067:

Historic and other shipwrecks, as well as an aircraft wreck, are located on several reefs surrounding the cays.

2980:

By Loney, J. K. (Jack Kenneth), 1925–1995. Portarlington Vic. Marine History Publications, 1991 910.4530994 LON

2974:

By Loney, J. K. (Jack Kenneth), 1925–1995. Portarlington Vic. Marine History Publications, 1987 910.4530994 LON

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In 1932 Captain Christian Poulsen, engaged in bringing fishing parties to the reef, realised the potential of

840:

The main charting exercise for all the islands and reefs was carried out in 1843 under the command of Captain

2112:

was a regular coasting schooner; during the 1860s she had been carrying a cargo of timber and no lives lost.

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lies between 45 and 75 km (28 and 47 mi) from the adjacent departure ports and urban centres of

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Australian shipwrecks Vol. 1 1622–1850 By Charles Bateson. Sydney. Reed, 1972 910.4530994 BAT

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the steamer having to take shelter behind one of the islands from the heavy squalls and rain. The

1884: 1877: 1367: 1290: 1038: 905: 841: 754: 2721:

Chief Inspector of Fisheries (E J Coulter AR CIF Vol 1 part 2 1952 pp. 1009–1012.

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letter H. F. Baker, West Bundaberg to Sec., Qld. Forestry Sub-Dept., Brisbane, 29 October 1938.

2509: 1937: 1656: 1282:

The islands making up the Capricorn and Bunker Groups provide habitat for thousands of nesting

2401:

a 42-foot wooden motor vessel struck the southeast corner of Masthead Island on 4 April 1927.

2132:

was wrecked on 15 October 1866 on Masthead Reef/Polmaise Reef. The vessel was a wooden carvel

2968:

By Loney, J. K. (Jack Kenneth), 1925–1995. Geelong Vic: List Publishing, 1982 910.4530994 LON

2925:

By Loney, J. K. (Jack Kenneth), 1925-1995. Geelong Vic: List Publishing, 1982 910.4530994 LON

2488: 2459: 2241: 1666: 1614: 1482: 1455: 1058: 184: 145: 1723: 2255:

a brigantine of 165 tons built 1873 stuck on 27 August 1884 Polmaise Reef or Masthead Reef

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with current usages including camping, permitted on three cays up to the following limits:

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4 metres of water her boiler remains visible on the beach near the North reef lighthouse.

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proceeded to Gladstone. Following and enquiry the master and mate were severely censured.

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motor vessel struck a reef off Lady Musgrave Island during cyclone Emily, 1 April 1972.

959:

during the 1890s. This was an extension of a more substantial guano mining operation on

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period, they are mostly around 5000 years old. The sea level was much lower during the

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was the first European to discover the region and gave his name to the southern group.

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and registered in Wellington she had a gross tonnage of 120 tons and was 90 feet long

1013:

It is unsure if the project ever succeed in the removal of guano from Hoskyn Islands.

794:

Captain Eber Bunker, 1760–1836, The first of the Whalers, Arrived New South Wales 1791

1926: 1596: 1558: 1538: 1507: 1415: 1086: 964: 956: 820:

The southern cays and reefs were first chartered between 1819 and 1821 by Lieutenant

302: 292: 2571: 2296:

Sunk 14 September 1887. The wooden 131-foot (40 m) barque built as the 387-ton

943:(bird droppings) was carried out by J. T. Arundel & Co, a company controlled by 2561: 1894: 1793: 1586: 1492: 1393: 1332: 750: 206:, at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef. There are 16 permanent coral 149: 2879: