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The EXPRESS 1877

Express, steamer, On February 27, 1877, the steamer was lying moored to the timber jetty on the south side of Jacobs River, when at 11 p.m. she parted her bow-line and swung round with her stern on the rocks. It is believed that a large hole was made in her hull by the rocks, as she immediately commenced to fill, and dispute the use of her pumps and being lightened, the steamer settled down. On March 1, the Express had heeled over, and at high water her deck was covered with water, only part of her quarter being viable. On March 2, the vessel was abandoned to the underwriters. Many attempts at refloating the steamer were made over a long period, during which the contractors were sanguine of success, but all failed, and as the wreck was interfering with navigation in the river, eventually she was ordered to be blown up, and this was done on April 27, 1878.

The Express, No. 31,589, was an iron, screw steamer of 199 tons gross and 136 tons net register, built at Kingston Upon Hull, in 1853, and her dimensions were; length 123.4ft, beam 18ft, depth 9.8ft. She was under the command of Captain J. Christian, and was insured for 4.000gbpounds.

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