The barque Tyrian, 220 tons, of London, Captain Robinson. left Honolulu on the 16th September, [1851], for Sydney via Auckland, and left the latter port on the 6th November, having on board forty-six persons, crew and passengers. About twenty minutes to one, on the morning of Tuesday, the 24th November, the ship was running free, with a fresh breeze, when, without any notice or warning, she struck heavily, and remained fixed. At daylight it was found that she was on the centre of Elizabeth reef (close to the place where the Rosetta Joseph was lost), and her bow high and dry at low water. As there was no possibility of getting her off, and there were not sufficient boats to carry all hands, it was determined to despatch the long-boat with as many as she could carry to the coast for assistance. Captain Birkenshaw (well known in the colonial trade), who was a passenger, was placed in the charge of the boat, and took with him Mrs. Birkenshaw and three children, Mr. and Mrs. Wilks, Messrs. H. Nathan, G. Atkinson, F. Brooks, Sprague, and J. Crawford, the chief officer (Mr. Agar), and two of the seamen, leaving thirty three on board. They encountered very bad weather for six days, and had to keep two men continually bailing out the boat ; but on Tuesday morning made Newcastle, and most of them came on to Sydney in the steamer. The Tyrian has in her about one hundred tons of general cargo, consisting of flour, sugar, &c. It is supposed the vessel will be perfectly safe where she is, but the scarcity of water will be severely felt. For thirty-three persons we believe there were only two casks. The circumstances of the case were reported to the Government, and yesterday the [HMS] Acheron was despatched to the relief of the unfortunate people.

SG & SGTL Vol 8 ; p 354.

The ketch Aeolus, on her passage from the Feejee Islands, sighted Elizabeth Reef on the 4th instant, and Captain Cocks finding a vessel ashore, had a boat lowered, with four hands, and under the charge of Captain Stuart, (late of the Opalia), proceeded towards the reef, when it was found to be the barque Tyrian, of London, (wreck already reported), having on board eight seamen and four passengers, also the captain, Mr. Robinson. In accordance with instructions, Captain Stuart offered every assistance, but only three sailors and the four passengers would go on board the ketch, Capt. Robinson stating that he expected a vessel from Sydney immediately to secure the cargo. From the time the vessel went ashore until the 30th ult., [Nov, 1851], the passengers and crew fared well, and on that day fortunately, the colonial whaling barque Jane, Captain Brazier, made the Island, and took fifteen souls off the wreck, with the understanding they were either to be landed at Howe's Island or Sydney Heads, according to the winds. The Tyrian sunk on the 3rd, the water being up to the bulwarks, leaving only the fore part of her hull out of water. Captain Robinson and five seamen remained by the vessel, with the intention of saving what cargo and gear they could get at.

SG & SGTL Vol 8 ; p 362.

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