This photo from “Kangaroo Island Shipwrecks” by Gifford Chapman shows the grave of a sailor from the wreck of the Fides: -
(Source: “Kangaroo Island Shipwrecks” by Gifford Chapman)
The photo featuring Terry Arnott, Erik & Mikael Sandlund and Haydn Wilkinson was taken by Terry Drew.
The grave is located at Cape Forbin. It is said to be of Carl Henri(c) Lagerstrom, the 17-year-old cook from the Fides. Only five of the crew survived the wreck. The master, Captain F. Asplund and nine of the crew were lost in the wrecking. Only ‘one or two’ bodies were ever recovered.
Lagerstrom’s body was found on the beach near Cape Forbin by a salvage party. He was wearing a blue shirt and waterproof pants tied with a belt holding a knife sheath.
According to “Kangaroo Island Shipwrecks” by Gifford Chapman, the salvage team found the body on 28th May 1860 and “interred (it) using some fragments off the wreck, and surrounded it with large stones, some distance up the cliff.”
This photo from “Kangaroo Island Shipwrecks” by Gifford Chapman shows Terry Drew, the photographer of the grave, holding a partial bell from the Fides that he found at the wreck site in 1977: -
(Source: “Kangaroo Island Shipwrecks” by Gifford Chapman)
Note the SUHR T-shirt being worn by Terry. SUHR members dived on the Fides wreck site whilst waiting for better conditions at the Loch Vennachar site in 1977.
This is a footnote from the “Loch Vennachar Expedition Report 1977”: -
This photo shows Doug Seton and his dive buddy with artefacts from the Fides wreck site: -
(Photo courtesy of Doug & Mara Seton)
Several artefacts can be seen on Doug Seton's lap (on the right).
The surviving crew of the Fides shipwreck and the Cape Borda lightkeepers used Harvey’s Return as a means of entering and exiting the ocean near Cape Borda.
This photo shows myself down on the track at Harvey's Return: -
(Photo taken by Noeleen Reynolds)
I recently wrote at https://stevereynolds.wixsite.com/website/post/harvey-s-return-cemetery , “Although there are no shipwrecked sailors in the (Harvey’s Return) cemetery, there apparently is this memorial plaque for those lost from the Finnish barque Fides in 1860: -
According to https://www.flickr.com/photos/blackdiamondimages/18134101448 , “The five survivors made an heroic three day trek to the Cape Borda Lighthouse for help. They buried a sailor on the side of DeMole River, whose grave was re-discovered recently.”
On another matter, according to https://www.flickr.com/photos/129023979@N05/22075017718: -
“Harvey's Return Cemetery - headstone of Captain Edward Kerr
Headstone to the memory of Captain Edward Kerr, late of Ayr, Scotland. The Chronicle of 25 October 1895 reported - Information has been received by the president of the Marine Board that Captain Edward Kerr, third keeper at the Cape Borda lighthouse, died at the station on Wednesday morning. The deceased had been ailing for some time and about six months since he went to the Adelaide Hospital for treatment, and afterwards went back to his post, although he was still suffering from the complications of disease which eventually caused his death."
"Captain Kerr, who was a most estimable gentleman, was aged 50. He was master of the Glen Rosa when that vessel was wrecked on the south-eastern coast near Cape Banks. He was appointed to the Althorpe’s lighthouse as third keeper on March 1, 1S93. From there he was transferred to the more responsible station at Cape Borda in February, 1894. He leaves a wife and family. There is a burial ground on Kangaroo Island near the lighthouse, and it is probable that the remains of the deceased will be buried there."
(*Chronicle 26 October 1895)?
(Photo taken by Philip Hall)
This is what I found about the wreck of the Fides at https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/49891963 : -
“WRECK OF THE FIDES. - TEN LIVES LOST.
On Thursday, about half-past 2 o'clock, a whaleboat arrived at the Port from the Cape Borda Lighthouse, with intelligence that the Finland barque Fides, Aspland, master, had been wrecked within a short distance of the lighthouse. The boat was in charge of Mr. C. Johnson, second keeper, and had on board the five men who were saved. It appears from their statement that the vessel struck at 2 o'clock on the morning of the 22nd May about 16 miles east of Cape Borda. The night was intensely dark, with lightning and thunder, as well as a strong wind. The vessel was under close-reefed top sails when it was discovered that she was close under the land. She was immediately put about, but at that moment it fell suddenly calm, and the vessel, which would not answer to her helm, drifted ashore among the rocks, which for some miles along this part of the coast are most precipitous. The chief mate, the carpenter, the steward, and two boys succeeded, by clinging to the rocks as they were washed up, in saving themselves, but the captain and second mate and eight seamen were drowned. Those who survived contrived to exist by killing a sheep which swam ashore from the wreck. On the morning of the 24th they started to walk along the coast, and reached the Cape Borda Light house at 10 a.m. on the 27th. They remained there 10 days, under the care of Messrs. Tapley and Johnson, the first and second keepers. The following letter from Mr.Tapley to the Secretary of the Trinity Board, has been handed to us for publication, and will explain the course adopted by the lighthouse-keeper: -
"Cape Borda Lighthouse, May 30, 1860.
"Sir— I write to you to state of the wreck of a Finland barque named the Fides, from London, bound for Adelaide.
"On Monday, 28th instant, I proceeded in our boat with the five men to the wreck, to endeavour to recover the bodies for interment, and also to secure any of the cargo.
"I left Harvey's Return about 9.30 a.m, and arrived at the wreck about 3 p.m. Proceeded along the rocks, but could only find one of the bodies, which we interred with some fragments of the wreck, and surrounded it with large stones, some distance up the cliff.
"On arriving at the place, found the vessel broken up in small fragments, and showed up in different places among the rocks, and only a small portion of the cargo saved, say - 1 case of cloth boots, 1 do. of note paper, 1 do. of common prints and felt hats, and 2 casks of oil.
"After securing these few things as far as possible we proceeded up the top of the hill, and made a large fire in case of any settlers being about. I think the name of the place where the wreck lies is called Seal Beach, about 15 miles to the eastward of Harvey's Return. There is a large rock, detached from the island, with a pole stuck on it, as if it had been for a survey mark.
"There is also on the top of the hill over the wreck a flagstaff with a shirt on it, which we erected for a mark to point out the place where she lies.
"On Tuesday, the 29th, at daylight, we left the place for Harvey's Return, after seeing we could do no more by remaining there, and having looked if we could find any more of the bodies, and the sky looking overcast was afraid of bad weather coming on, pulled all the way back to the Return, where we arrived at 4 p.m., and landed safe. There is a heavy surf on the coast, and also at the Return.
"If the weather continues fine intend to forward the second keeper, with the boat and vessel's crew, on to the carpenter's place, or still further, as think proper and safe.
….. On Tuesday morning Mr. O. Johnson started from the lighthouse with the five shipwrecked men, and proceeded in a whaleboat to Port Adelaide. During their voyage they were almost without provisions, as in launching the boat through the surf what they took with them became swamped. On Tuesday night they laid alongside the barque Scandia, which was hove to off Point Marsden; and on Wednesday night the boat was beached at Point Malcolm, and started the following morning for the Port. The following extracts from the log-book of the lighthouse will show that the weather was very bad at the time of the wreck: -
"Monday. May 21.— Commences with moderate breeze at N.W, and squally with rain till 3 a.m., and lightning all round. From 2 till 4 a.m. ditto, breeze at N., lightning at N.W, ; till 6 a.m. breeze at N.N.E, with thunder and lightning at N.E. From 6 a.m, till 4 p.m. breeze at N.E. and cloudy. From 4 to 6 p.m. ditto, breeze and cloudy, with lightning at N.N.W. From 6 till 8 ditto, wind at N.E., dark and gloomy weather, and lightning at N.W. till 10, thunder and lightning all round. At 10 p.m. a sudden shift of wind to W.N.W., with heavy thunder and lightning and rain. Very dark weather. Trimmed lamps at 1.10 a.m.
"At 3 p.m., two barques in sight bearing N.W. Distance, one of them five miles, the other eight miles, both bound up the Gulf.
"At sunset one barque bore north five miles, the other N. by W. seven miles.
Tuesday, May 22 - Commences with moderate breeze at N.W. Thunder and lightning all round, very dark thick gloomy weather till 2 a.m. From 2 a.m. till 6 a.m. ditto wind, very dark and lightning all round. From 6 a.m. till 8 p.m. light breeze at N.W., W., and W.N.W., cloudy and passing showers all day. From 8 till midnight breeze at S.S.E., dark and gloomy, lightning all round. Trimmed lamps at 1.15 a m.
The names of the survivors are:- A. H. Hjulman, chief mate; F. Hogman(n), carpenter; F. Rosenlund, C. Spets, C. Martens.
The Fides was a Russian Finland barque, consigned to Elder, Stirling, &, Co., with a general cargo from London, and was 131 days out when wrecked. She was a very fine vessel it appears. We learn from Mr. Martin, of the firm of Messrs. Martin, Gaedeehens, & Co., that, during his recent sojourn in England, he went over her with the view of sending out goods on board. She was, he says, built in the newest style, and appeared to him to be a very compact and symmetrical clipper, and in every respect qualified for the voyage she undertook.
From English papers we get the following particulars of the cargo on board: -
Agricultural. implements £573, ale and beer £968, apparel, slops, and clothing £1,803, sacks, etc., 9,000, woolpacks 1,000, barley, malt, &c., 600 bushels, blankets, quilts, &c.,£73, boots and shoes £441, bricks and tiles £192, brushware £15, butter 20 firkins, candles 94½ cwt., cheese 5½ cwt, chemicals, drugs, &c, £17, coals and coke 36 tons, confectionary, jams, &c., £98, cordage and twine £158, plain cottons £174, coloured do. £670, printed do. £47, china and earthenware £19, cutlery £67, fish £65, flannels £55, fruits, jams, &c., £130, gun powder 11,025 lbs, haberdashery £150. hardware and ironmongery £440, hats, caps, &c., £661, hosiery, &c., £488, hoop and sheet iron £55, ironwork £1634, sheet lead, &c., £2,385, leather, &c., £205, linens £26, millinery £206, musical instruments £80, muslins £22, nails £156, oils 1,544 galls., oilmen's stores £337, paints, varnish, &c, £30, paper, stationery, &c, £470, pickles, sauces. &c., £85, plated goods, &c, £180, saddlery £515, reeds £35, silks £122, soap 8.5 cwt., brandy 537 galls., British spirits, &c,, 582 galls., geneva, &c., 26 galls., rum 2,472 galls, steel £189, tobacco-pipes £12, toys, combs, &c, £223, upholstery £205, red wine 114 galls., wire £329, woollens £487.— Total declared value, £21,868.
We need hardly say that much consternation was created by the news of this unfortunate wreck when it arrived in Adelaide; and it was remarked, as a matter of striking coincidence, that a very general report - of course, without any known foundation - prevailed as to the vessel's loss seven or eight days ago.
But this, no doubt, originated out of the long time which had elapsed since she left London. Of the particulars of the wreck we shall, no doubt, be better informed in a day or two. At present all the intelligence we have besides that given above is contained in the subjoined telegrams: -
“Ship Fides, from London, lost 15 miles east of the light on Kangaroo Island. The captain and nine men drowned. The vessel left in fragments; all the cargo lost. The mate and four men came up in a whaleboat to Port Adelaide."
[From Captain Malcolm to Messrs. Elder, Stirling, & Co.]
"I have spoken to the mate of the Fides. She was lost at Snug Cove, 15 miles from Cape Borda Lighthouse, on a rocky coast. Went all to pieces in four hours; cargo totally lost.
Accident happened on 22nd May, at 2 o'clock in the morning. I have sent, and wait your instructions.”
Now, back to Harvey’s Return cemetery. Some details about the graves at the cemetery are given at http://ozburials.com/CemsSA/capeborda.htm: -
“CINZIO , Davide. Husband of Tina. Last Lighthouse keeper at Cape Borda. His ashes were scattered in this cemetery where early Lighthouse keepers were buried. . 10 June 1939 - 11 November 2004
JENNESON , Lily . 14 July 1884
JOHNSON , Infant. 19 July 1862 aged 1 month. Infant daughter of Charles and Mary Ann Johnson. . 19 July 1862 . Aged 1 months
KERR , Edward, Capt. October 1885 . Aged 54 years
KOPP , Irene. Daughter (of) J.E.K. (below) 17 September 1895
KOPP , Jane E. Wife of Light Keeper. 19 April 1903
MAIN , Arthur. son of Light Keeper. 30 November 1877
MAIN , William Thom 9 May 1875 . Aged 7 years 6 months
WELLS , Light Keeper. 1873
WILLS , Augusta. Wife of Light Keeper. 22 August 1884
WOODWARD , G. W. First Light Keeper. 13 September 1858”
Further, a plaque in this cemetery reads:
“Early settlers in this area included Nat Thomas who, with his Tasmanian Aboriginal wife Betty, arrived on Kangaroo Island in 1827 and farmed the area at the Eastern end of Antechamber Bay until 1878.
This couple had 3 children, a son and 2 daughters. The elder daughter, Mary, born in May 1833, was the first documented child of a European born in South Australia.
While not always well treated, the aboriginal companions of the pre-1836 settlers made a significant contribution to the early development of the island, several were brought from Tasmania and others mainly from nearby Fleurieu Peninsula.
Betty died in 1878, and while the actual site of her grave is unknown, it is believed to be in this vicinity.
Kangaroo Island Pioneers Association Inc
Department of State Aboriginal Affairs”
However, https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2506227/memorial-search?cemeteryName=Harvey%27s+Return+Cemetery&page=1#sr-237745411 lists 19 memorials. One item was added only in 2015: -
Timothy Hartley, Birth 1930, Death 2015 (aged 84–85)”
See https://stevereynolds.wixsite.com/website/post/harvey-s-return-cemetery for more photos of the Cape Borda lighthouse and Harvey's Return.
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