Estramina

The " Estramina ", a schooner, was totally wrecked near Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia in 1816.

The "Estramina" started out as a Spanish schooner called the "Estremina" and was 120 tons and built at Callao, Spain in 1803. While the "Estremina" was capable of carrying twelve guns, was armed with only four four pound guns and was crewed with only 18 sailors when on 1 October 1804, just off the coast of Peru an American brig hove into view. The brig, "Harrington" under the command of William Campbell attacked the "Estremina" and after an inconclusive exchange of cannon fire managed to drive the "Estremina" ashore where the ship, under the command of Don Antonio Jose del Campo, ordered that it be set on fire by the Spanish crew. The American crew boarded the ship, put out the fire and claimed the "Estremina" as a prize.

Campbell claimed that the "Estremina" was taken because England and Spain were at war, however when the "Estremina" was sailed into Sydney, the Governor, Philip Gidley KIng believed that Campbell was guilty of piracy. After considerable wrangling, Campbell was allowed to go and the "Estremina" was sold for £2,100 to the Colony of New South Wales. The ship was renamed the "Estramina."

On 19 January 1816 and under the command of Joseph Ross the "Estramina" attempted to leave Newcastle harbour, but with the tide against the ship and a strong wind blowing, the anchor was lowered. Shortly after the anchor chain broke and the ship drifted ashore onto a sandbank where it quickly broke up. No crew were lost. [ "Australian Shipwrecks - vol 1 1622-1850", Charles Bateson, AH and AW Reed, Sydney, 1972, ISBN 0 589 07112 2 p52 ]

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