Manly–Agnes collision

The Manly–Agnes collision was a 1904 shipwreck in Sydney Harbour, Australia.[1] It involved the 30' launch Agnes and the steamer SS Manly which was a much larger passenger ferry.[2] The Agnes was carrying a family between Snails Bay and Middle Harbour.[3][4]

Agnes

The Agnes was a launch owned by Frederick Thomas Heming. She had been completed in 1904 by W Holmes of North Sydney, New South Wales and was powered by a 5 hp (3.7 kW) Hercules engine.[citation needed]

The collision

The collision occurred in the Sydney Harbour on a Sunday. The Manly ran into the Agnes hitting it near the stern. The Hemings family of six people on board the Agnes were thrown into the water.[1] Mr. Heming and his wife Agnes drowned[5] - their four children were rescued and survived.

Aftermath

Captain Ward of the Manly was charged with manslaughter.[4] The jury deliberated a short time before returning with a verdict of not guilty.[6] Blame for the accident was placed on Hemings for turning into the path of the ferry. Captain Ward was admonished for not sounding the ferry's whistle.[5]

The four Hemings children were orphaned by the loss of their parents. A fund was created to help the oldest son buy out the parents' laundry business.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b "Harbour Collision: Steamer Manly and the Launch Agnes". The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser. New South Wales, Australia. 31 January 1906. p. 299. Retrieved 22 March 2020 – via Trove.
  2. ^ "MARINE". The Daily Telegraph. New South Wales, Australia. 24 April 1906. p. 8. Retrieved 22 March 2020 – via Trove.
  3. ^ "The Manly-Agnes Collision". The Clarence River Advocate. New South Wales, Australia. 13 February 1906. p. 3. Retrieved 22 March 2020 – via Trove.
  4. ^ a b "The Manly-Agnes Collision". The West Australian. Western Australia. 12 February 1906. p. 4. Retrieved 22 March 2020 – via Trove.
  5. ^ a b c Morcombe, John (27 December 2017). "Last weekend's ferry collision was just the most recent of many". Manly Daily. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  6. ^ "Captain Ward Acquitted". Goulburn Evening Penny Post. Retrieved 28 March 2020.


33°51′S 151°14′E / 33.85°S 151.24°E / -33.85; 151.24