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Loss of Klaraborg

from Report on the probable location of the schooner Klaraborg (1850s-1982) by John Clarke and Karen Millar; Report - Maritime Archaeology Department, Western Australia Maritime Museum, No. 126, 1996 

(http://202.14.152.30/collections/maritime/march/documents/No.%20126%20Klaraborg.pdf)

“The Klaraborg moored in Success Harbour before her departure.  With 30 tonnes of granite paving stones as ballast, she set a course bound for Singapore on 13 July 1992 (sic, 1982), with a crew of ten, three cats and a parrot..

“The vessel began taking water from the beginning of the voyage but was in no immediate danger until the pumps failed he following morning. The skipper, Mr Ove Linner, radioed may-day calls about 9:30 am while approximately 50km off the coast.  The State ship MV Koolinda stood by and two fishing boats remained on call along with three military helicopters. The Black Swan had set out from Two Rocks to assist. The seas were moderate to rough on a moderate swell with northerly winds blowing at force 5/6. About 1 o’clock in the afternoon a fire broke out in the galley while the crew were busy trying to keep the vessel afloat.  She had to be abandoned and all on board were rescued by MV Koolinda. The Klaraborg sank in deep water within half an hour of catching fire, approximately 55 km west of Yanchep.  Of the ships gear only the wheel and bell were removed and saved.

“The following is an excerpt from a report from Capt Ron Stevens of the rescue vessel MV Koolinda of Freemantle to the Marine Manager, State Shipping Service relating to the position of the vessel during the rescue and at the time of sinking.”

“Report on the rescue of the Klaraborg crew...

0813       14 July   Distress message received requiring assistance.

                              Position given as 290° 25 miles from Yanchep. Later stated as a dead reckoned position.

0955                      KIaraborg not sighted at this position but at 2l6°, 16.5 miles from her reported position.

Helicopter unsuccessfully tried to put a portable pump aboard KIaraborg. A helicopter crew member was lowered to Koolinda with a pump. Ships life raft  was launched with the pump aboard in an attempt to tow and drift to Klaraborg. Three unsuccessfiul attempts were made to fire rocket lines in order to attach a line to the raft for Klaraborg to haul in. The life raft broke adrift and several attempts to retrieve it by Koolinda were unsuccessful as was an attempt by the helicopter to attach a line and an attempt to blow the raft to the ketch by hovering above it

1308        15 July  Klaraborg crew abandoned ship.

1322                      The Koolinda  took on all 10 survivors, personal effects and the ship wheel and bell.

1323                      The Klaraborg foundered and sank.

1402                      Koolinda proceeded to Fremantle with 10 survivors.

                              Estimated position of the Klaraborg: Lat. 3l° 33.5S Long. 114° 53E”


from the Fremantle Gazette, Fremantle, Western Australia