To: Messrs. Smith and Campbell
Sydney.

Dear Sirs,

You will feel deeply, no doubt, with me for the unfortunate accident which has befallen the Lydia. Having arrived at this place under the best prospects, with a fresh breeze, by half-past two o'clock. p.m, on the 2nd instant, we brought up hurriedly in a little better than three fathoms water, having got into that depth immediately after having five fathoms ; the sails were furled and top-gallant yards sent down. when, to our utter astonishment, the Lydia struck the ground with great force by the stern - we had previously to coming into the bay hoisted a signal for a boat, which did not come off till we anchored, not having been seen from the haziness of the weather any distance off. Having a man on board who had been coasting to Port Fairy, gave me full confidence on entering, as he seemed to understand the place well, his advice in a measure was followed, but he was deceived as well as myself in taking the proper situation. by a schooner riding on the bank, which is very abrupt, and of which I was not aware.

Not being able to change the position in any way, our situation became alarming ; in a short time the ship struck so severely upon a hard bottom that the sternpost was shaken and started, and the rudder woodlock driven out.

Great danger of the vessel's going down at her anchors being apprehended, it was deemed prudent by all on to board to ship the cable at once and run for the best part of the beach. We had fully five feet of water where we lay, yet she descended with great force upon the ground.

She now lies on her bilge, with her rudder off, far up on the beach, with her stern torn up, and where we have been enabled to land all with comparative safety, as the weather, since the accident, has been extremely favourable. I do not attribute this lamentable occurrence to any deficiency of protection from the sea in Port Fairy ; the want of buoys, which we expected to be here, partly misled me, as also the man who had been coasting. I cannot tell you what may be the result of our determination about the vessel, but I fear she has been seriously injured, although. she has withstood the hammering in an extraordinary way.

Being well felted under the copper has been a great help to us is keeping her free of water. By next post I shall give you more particulars of the ship's probable state.

Wm. Rutledge, Esq., here, as also Mr. Griffiths, and others, have rendered me great assistance, for which I feel extremely obliged.

I am, dear Sirs,
yours, faithfully.
P. Petrie

Port Fairy,
February 4. [1847].

SG & SGTL ; Vol 4 ; Page 52.

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