Storm driven HMS SIRIUS
Artist
Geoffrey Chapman Ingleton
(Australian, 1908 - 1998)
Date1930s
Object number00004353
NameEtching
MediumInk on paper
DimensionsOverall: 292 x 251 mm, 250 g
ClassificationsArt
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionEtching of HMS SIRIUS under reduced sail by Geoffrey Ingleton (1908-1998) titled 'Storm driven'.HistoryThe 510-ton ship BERWICK was completed in 1781, and purchased by the Admiralty later that year for use as a store ship. Laid up for five years, the ship was finally recommissioned in 1786 and renamed SIRIUS.
The SIRIUS sailed from Spithead, England as an escort vessel with the First Fleet on 13 May 1787, beginning the eight month journey with warm weather and favorable winds. As the convoy of 11 ships sailed around the Cape of Good Hope, they encountered the wet and violent weather conditions of the roaring forties. The fleet sailed into several more storms before finally arriving at Botany Bay in NSW on 20 January, 1788. Even the short voyage to Port Jackson saw the fleet battle headwinds and rough seas.
On 26 January 1788, the fleet finally anchored at Sydney Cove. SIRIUS and SUPPLY remained in the new colony to maintain communication between England. Toward the end of 1788, the colony at Port Jackson was struggling to grow European crops, and was in urgent need of supplies. On 2 October Govenor Phillip sent SIRIUS to Cape Town for provisions, arriving at the Cape of Good Hope in January 1789 where Captain Hunter bought flour and other supplies. SIRIUS returned to Port Jackson on 8 May 1789 having sailed completely around the world in just over seven months. While the supplies offered a temporary respite, the settlement still required a sustainable food supply.
After repairs, SIRIUS and SUPPLY sailed for Norfolk Island on 5 March 1790. The second British settlement in the Pacific, Norfolk Island was an important base for the colony of Port Jackson. It was believed that the fertile island would be better suited to European crops. On 13 March, SIRIUS and SUPPLY arrived off the northern side of the island, and unloaded the convicts and marines. Bad weather forced the ships to leave the island prematurely, and when they finally returned on 19 March they anchored in Sydney Bay at the south of the island.
It was while unloading the remaining stores that SIRIUS was wrecked on the reef at Kingston.
SignificanceGeoffrey Ingleton completed numerous etchings depicting famous events relating to Australian maritime history. In this work he depicts HMS SIRIUS, flagship of the First Fleet to Australia in 1787, which was wrecked at Norfolk Island in 1790.