Portland Guardian and Normanby General Advertiser (Vic. : 1842 - 1876)(about) |
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Wednesday 10 October 1860
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THE ADMELLA TABLET. (From the Argus.) Perhaps no better mode of placing on record the heroic conduct of the men who were instrumental in rescuing from a watery grave the few of our fellow-colonists who survived the frightful sufferings accompany- ing the wreck of the ill-fated Admella in August, 1859, could have been suggested than that adopted by the Committee of the Admella Relief Fund, of erecting, a tablet in the long room of our new Custom-house. As a work of art, the monument reflects great credit upon the sculptors, Messrs. Marsh and Grout, of Stephen-street. It is of marble, and forms a panel divided into three portions. On the upper one, 3ft by 1ft 6in., is a well- sculptured wreath of immortelles — below that is the inscription, occupying a space of 4ft ; and underneath it is a bass-relief, showing the position of the wreck at the time of assistance being rendered by the Portland life-boat. The details of this portion of the tablet are well executed, and bear the closest examination. Those persons who recollect the appalling circumstances of the wreck, the disappointment caused to the unhappy passengers from the failure of one boat's crew to release them from their perilous position, will recognise in the bas-relief the whole scene. Standing on the highest side of the wreck are the passengers, eagerly stretch- ing out a rope to the boat which is approaching ing them, whilst on the shrouds of the solitary mast left standing, and on which is the flag of distress, is a man slinging, evidently worn out with constant watching and privation. The design of the tablet is Grecian, in accordance with the architecture of the room. The outside border is composed of laurel leaves and berries, the latter being gilded and polished. The inner border is a scroll formed by a rose, shamrock, and thistle, and is finished by a beading and reel. The inscrip- tion was composed by Mr. Mossman, and revised by Professor Irving. It is as follows :— "To commemorate the heroic exertions of those who, at the risk of their lives, rescued, after seven days and nights of mental agony and bodily suffering, the 22 survivors from the wreck of the Admella screw steamer, lost on Carpenter rocks, near Cape Northum- berland, on the 6th August, 1859, during her voyage from Adelaide to Melbourne. Those who, with the help of God, did this brave deed, were, John Leach and Robert Knap- man, two sailors, who dared to leave the wreck upon a raft. and having reached the shore, spread the sad tidings; James Fawthorp and crew of the Portland life-boat — William Rosevear, coxswain, Abbot Carey, James Diamond, Charles Patterson, William Guy, Thomas Ward, Phillip Francis, Hugh McDonald, William Booth, William Kirkin, James Kean, John Dusting, Thomas Tweedle, John Frederick John- stone ; Benjamin Germein and the crew of the Admella's life-boat — Henry Smith, Henry Wiley, Charles Almack, Thomas Anderson, William Mabin, William Baker ; Peter Greig, master of the s.s. Lady Bird, two of the crew. — George Edmonds, William M. McDonnell; James Cambrey, and the crew of the Portland whaleboat — William Wright, John Morgan, George Scoffat, William King, John Spiers ; Louis Thomas, and the crew of the Adelaide pilot-boat — Peter Smith, George Fowles, William Thomas, Uriah Marshall, John Penny. This tablet was erected by the committee of the Admella Relief and Reward Fund at the desire of the inhabitants of Victoria." The entire cost of the work is calculated at 200 guineas ; and in order that a view of it may be circulated throughout the country, the sculptors will procure several photographic copies, which, we are informed, will be com- pleted in a few days.