The Swan was one of about seven ketches and schooners which were based at Rhyll at different times from 1868 when the Island was subdivided for closer settlement until 1921 when the last one, the Stephen left for South Australia.

These vessels mainly served the various ports around Western Port and Anderson’s Inlet carrying timber, salt, coal, and farm produce to Melbourne and bringing back supplies for the settlers.

The Swan began life as the river barge McAvoy.

It was 47ft. long, 25 tons, and was built in 1862.
In late September 1862 the McAvoy capsized and sank in 13 fathoms of water while beating up off Gellibrand’s Point, Derwent River, south of Hobart with two men on board.

A body and the vessel’s dinghy were found on October 5 on the beach at Try Works Point.

Her hull was found directly off Gellibrand’s Point in the centre of the river on October 10 by two crews from the Marine Board.
After sweeping for some time, one of the grappling irons caught.

She was partially raised and towed into Little Sandy Bay by the steamer Monarch on February 4 1863 and was reported by the Mercury as lying in seven fathoms of water supported by two craft.

On March 10 1866 the McAvoy was taken up to Thomas Cullen and James and David Mackey’s yard, at Peppermint Bay to be lengthened by 13 feet enabling her to carry about double the weight of cargo.

The Swan was auctioned on board in New Dock (Little Dock), on the Yarra River, Melbourne on December 23rd 1867 and was bought by Captain John Barnard Lock.
Captain Lock had been running trading vessels since the mid 1850’s and had been living at Rhyll during the period of the oystering settlement there until it folded around 1861.

With the subdivision and settlement of Phillip Island from late 1868, Captain Lock returned to Rhyll making it his home port.
The Swan was launched from Legg’s slip, Williamstown in early February 1879 after receiving a substantial overhaul.

Timbers and planking were in splendid order but fastenings were renewed from keel to gunwale.
A large addition was made to the cabin, for the accommodation of passengers, of whom Captain Lock generally had a compliment.

On October 21st 1882 the Swan, James Foster master, had to be beached on rocks north of the jetty in Apollo Bay due to rough seas causing a leak.
The keel was much damaged and some of her planks started. The Mercury reported her as being a total loss.

The ketch was found on examination to be not so much damaged as expected.
Diving gear and appliances to be used in the repair and floating off of the ketch were delivered to Apollo Bay in November by Captain Lock’s cutter Lizzie.

The Swan arrived at Melbourne on February 14 1883 from Apollo Bay after repairs were effected.
James Foster, master of the ketch Swan, suicided by jumping overboard in the West Channel in Port Phillip on March 21 1885.

Finnish seaman John Powell was mate and he took over as master.
The residence of James Foster was given as the ketch Swan, Port of Melbourne in Probate papers.

He had been in the employ of Captain Lock since at least 1875.
Powell continued on as master until 1888 when R Collins took over.(John Powell settled at Rhyll with his family in 1893.)

Johan August (Jack) Jansson commenced work on the Swan in 1888.
In the same year his brother Erik Fridolf (Fred) jumped ship from the barque Orient.

On December 4 1889 Jack gained his masters certificate for “Home Trade Sailing Ships”.
This allowed him to be master of any sailing ship trading between any ports or places along the coast of Australia not beyond Port Stephens in New South Wales and Spencer Gulf in South Australia and any port in Tasmania.

The first report of him as master of the Swan was in October 1890 and he probably bought the Swan from Captain Lock around this time.
Jack also settled at Rhyll in 1893 and married John Powell’s elder daughter Evelyn.
 

The Argus of 18th February 1895 had the following story:

“The Swan left Westernport on Thursday 14th February 1895 with a fishing boat in tow, but the latter did not take kindly to this enforced mode of progress, and in order to get rid of the continual bumping, one of the two brothers (Jack and Fred Jansson), who constituted the crew of the Swan, got into the fishing boat with the intention of sailing her alongside the ketch.

There was a light easterly wind at the time, but the weather was thick and hazy with the smoke from bush fires along the coast, and the two small craft, with one man in each, parted company off Cape Schanck.

The situation of each was critical, and the brother on board the ketch, after trying in vain to find the brother in the fishing boat, made for Port Phillip Heads, and towed up the river on Saturday.

The brother in the fishing boat had evidently found his way to the Heads too, for on the morning of the 16th the ketch Wellington from Welshpool, was hailed outside the Heads by him and his first inquiry was had they seen the ketch Swan. The Wellington had the same description of thick hazy, smoky weather on her passage from Welshpool.”

John Blake Cleeland’s diary reported: “Swan ketch arrived at San Remo on June 20 1895 from Melbourne. Mizzenmast carried away. Came in this (Eastern) entrance, could not get in other entrance. They were blown out to sea.”

E M Christie writing about the Swan in the Sydney Bulletin of July 20th 1905 said: “It is spending the evening of its days in easy work which is chiefly done on the placid waters of Western Port Bay.” 

Nothing could have been further from the truth.

A report from Flinders in the Argus, Tuesday September 15 1896 has the Swan in difficulties again:
“Flinders, Monday.  The ketch Swan master J A Jansson, trading between Melbourne and Western Port, soon after clearing the Heads this morning, sprung a leak.

When off Cape Schanck another danger threatened, for the water having penetrated to the cargo set some bags of lime on fire. 

“Fortunately Flinders was reached before the position became critical, and the cargo was hastily discharged with the assistance of several local residents.

“The burning material was located, but not before damage amounting to between £20 and £30 had been done to miscellaneous goods by fire and water.

“The goods are believed to be uninsured.”

Around October 1905 the Swan was fitted with a Melbourne made Bradshaw oil engine of 20 horse power costing over £200.
She was the first of the Little Dock ketches and schooners to have an engine fitted.
 

Sinking of the Swan

The Age reported the collision and sinking of the Swan on October 28 1906. On board were Fred Jansson, crew and two passengers, Alf Powell of Rhyll and Bert Kirkland of San Remo:
“About 11pm last night, when about midway between Cape Schanck and Port Phillip Heads, three miles from shore, the steamer Queensciiff, outward bound, ran into and sank the ketch Swan, bound from Westernport to Melbourne.

“The ketch was struck in the fore rigging on the starboard side, the impact making a great hole.

“The Swan sunk in a few minutes.  The crew took to their boat, and were picked up by the Queenscliff and landed at Rhyll this morning.

“The Swan, with Captain Jansson in command, left Flinders at 7 pm with a cargo of wool, hides and sundries. The collision occurred at moonlight, and lights were stated to be burning. Both the Swan and her cargo were uninsured. The vessel’s papers and everything were lost. The Queenscliff was uninjured. Captain Jansson will reach Melbourne by rail tomorrow morning.

“On receipt of information concerning the collision, Mr Maclean, Engineer of Ports and Harbors, immediately telegraphed to Cowes inquiring if any assistance was required, and quickly received an answer that no lives had been lost.

“The Queenscliff is 110 tons register, in charge of Captain G. Fredriksen, and runs under the agency of Messrs. JB Ellerker and Co.
She left Melbourne wharf on Saturday, and was engaged in observing coastal port calls to the Gippsland Lakes when the collision occurred.
The Swan is a ketch of 30 tons, and has for many years made weekly visits to and from Western Port.

“When the accident occurred she was returning to Melbourne.
She was the property of Captain John A. Jansson, who is assisted by Mr Fred Jansson, a relative.

“Recently she was provided with a 20 horse power Bradshaw oil engine, and given an overhaul.”
 

A Court of Marine Inquiry was held over the loss of the Swan and the verdict was published in The Age on November 14:

“The Court of Marine Inquiry (Mr J A Panton, P.M., Captains J F Anderson and H W H Chatfield) yesterday afternoon gave its decision in the case of the loss of the ketch Swan.

“The court found that Charles F Johnson, mate of the steamer Queenscliff, did so carelessly navigate the steamer that she collided with, and occasioned the loss of the ketch.

“The fault lay in neglecting to keep a proper look out. Taking into consideration Johnson’s long and honourable career the court ordered that his certificate be suspended for three months, and that he should pay £5 5/ on account of the expenses of the inquiry.”

References:  Various newspapers on the Trove website. Maritime Museum of Tasmania records.www.boatregister.net, Mori Flapan.