It is our unpleasant duty to-day to report the total loss of the fine new schooner Squatter, belonging to this port, which occurred about two o'clock on Wednesday morning last, on the Port Fairy coast, about 2� miles west of the port of Belfast. We noticed in our last that she was obliged to put into Western Port, on account of strong adverse gales on her passage from Melbourne to Portland. After again putting to sea she was obliged to run for shelter to Circular Head, and after remaining there for a few days, renewed her attempts to make her destination. On Tuesday, she sighted Moonlight Head, distant about 20 miles, and shaped her course so as to keep that offing during the night. Between one and two o'clock on Wednesday morning, however, the first mate perceived what, through a thick hate, he supposed was a heavy squall right a-head, and immediately called up the watch below to prepare for it. He, however, soon found that it was the surf breaking on the shore, and thereon tried to 'bout ship, but she missed stays, and whilst trying her on the other tack, she struck. The crew and passengers clung to the rigging and bulwarks until the boat was launched, and all miraculously escaped a watery grave.

The vessel had not entirely broken up on Sunday, but some of her cargo had floated ashore, and had been sold. She was insured to nearly her full value, but none of her cargo was. Some flour was sold at about two-thirds its value ; a quantity wine, bottled beer, &c. was disposed of at invoice price, but still the loss to the owners will be very considerable. We are sorry to say that Mr. Finn, of this town, who will be the principal sufferer, had upwards of �300 of goods on board, but a part has already been saved in a partially damaged state, and it is to be hoped more will be secured. She was to have been sold by public auction yesterday.

Portland Bay Gazette

SG & SGTL of 6 Jun 1846

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