Mayfield Barge
1899 – 1945
Originally built as an unpowered barge. Mayfield was registered in 1899 and operated by the Swan Brewery Company. It was operated in conjunction with the paddle steamer Kentish Lass to transport beer from the brewery to the port, returning with sugar, hops and malt.
- Construction
- Timber
- Size
- 5m X 22m
- Owner
- Swan Brewery/Tilley
- Location
- Rocky Bay near Water Police jetty
- Underwater
- Some timbers remain
Gallery
History
References
In 1934, the barge was sold to a ferry operator named Tilly, who installed two engines, one powering a propeller, the other for a jib in order to operate independently (Cooper, 2012). As it is the case for many vessels of this kind, its history is relatively unknown, however during World War II, it was tasked to carried the armour plating shields of a 6 inch gun to Rottnest Island for the installation of the 9.2 inch naval guns at Oliver Hill battery (Scrimshaw, 1981:5). In 1945 it sank for reasons unknown in the Swan River at the base of the limestone cliffs on the western side of Rocky Bay, North Fremantle in a maximum depth of 5m. Its topmast visibly marked the location of the wreck for a number of years, until it eventually collapsed (Cooper, 2012)
More Information at:
https://museum.wa.gov.au/maritime-archaeology-db/wrecks/id-1367
References: Colin Scrimshaw, 1980, Swan & Canning River Wrecks, Maritime Archaeology Association of Western Australia.