Sydney Shipping Gazette Vol. 9, No. 418 - 3rd April 1852, p.93

barque Isabella Watson, 514 tons, Capt. John Fullerton, from London December 7th 1851

Wreck of the Isabella Watson
(from the Melbourne Argus, March 24)

It would appear that at dusk on the afternoon of Sunday last [March 21st 1852], when making the entrance of Port Phillip Heads, she was caught by a sudden squall, missed stays, wheeled around, and struck stern formast on an isolated rock [Corsair Rock], carrying away her helm, and driving in her stern ; everything was tried that could be suggested to get her off, but all proving unavailling, between 8 and 9 o'clock the captain's gig was lowered, and eight persons descended into it, consisting of three sailors, one cabin passenger, Mr. Gray, two steerage passengers, Messrs. Kingsley, and Mr. Paterson's child, who providentially reached the shore in safety ; of this circumstance, however, those left behind were in doubt until their own arrival on Monday. Darkness increasing, and with it the force of the gale and the raging of the sea, it was deemed imprudent to attempt any further landing. However, at the earnest entreaties of some of the passengers, the captain was induced to lower the life-boat, and eleven persons got into her, consisting of Mr. and Mrs. and Miss Paterson, Mrs. Artulas Derrick, Mrs. Terry, Mrs. Hall, Mr. and Mrs. Langford, Miss Mary Allen, and Mr. and Mrs. Orphett : the captain standing upon the boat to steady her, and using every exertion to place them in safety, during which period he was three times washed overboard and recovered, the last time with great difficulty. Just as they has all taken their places, shocking to relate, the mizen mast came down, and striking the boat across the bows, overturned her, and immersed the whole in the water. Two of them, Mr. and Mrs. Paterson, however, were recovered, the remaining nine, we regret to say, perished.
The passengers were then collected together in the cuddy, where they remained in awful suspense unril daylight of Monday morning, during which period the sea was dashing over her, and the vessel fast settling down. At that hour, Mr. Tobin, the pilot, having divested himself of his apparel, and fastened a warp round his body, made fast to the shore, committed himself to the waves, and by dint of extraordinary exertion, reached the ship in safety. He was soon followed by another, and by the united exertions of these gallant fellows, the rest of the passengers, as well as the captain and crew [numbering about sixty passengers & crew], were landed in safety. Immediately after all were landed, the sea becoming calm, the crew commenced saving the movables belonging to the passengers.
The Isabella Watson is a ship of 514 tons burthen, belonging to Messrs Russell and Raeburn, of Glasgow, Scotland, and was commanded by Mr John Fullerton, who during the whole of this dreadful scene, maintained his presence of mind, and rendered all the consolation in his power to his terrified passengers. They speak in the highest terms of commendation of him, and describe the passage up to this event very agreeable. For the above particulars, we are indebted to the courtesy of Mr. John Orr, the agent, and to Mr. W.J. Pearce, the surgeon to the vessel.

The following is a list of passengers by the Isabella Watson, from London, 7th December, which vessel went ashore while entering the Heads.
Saved—(cabin) : Mr. and Mrs. Bailsey, Mr. Parker, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor and two children, Mr. Clarke, Mr. Ritchie, Mr. Mouatt, Mr. Gray, and Mr. Verdon.
(intermediate) Thomas Paterson, Mrs. T. Paterson, John H. Rudd, W.M. Simpson, T.H. Christian, Samuel Drew, James Allen, Eliza [sic] Derrick, George Bell, Joseph Hobbs, R. Talbot, G.B. Hall, George Oliver, William Kelly, Mrs. Kelly, Joseph Menand, William Terry, G. Kingsley, S.W. Kingsley, Eliza Newman, William Geraghty.
Drowned—: Miss Paterson, Mrs. Derrick, Mrs. Terry, Mrs. Hall, Mr. G. Langford, Mrs. M. Langford, Mr. Thomas . Orphett and Mrs. A. Orphett [and Miss Mary Allen], all Intermediate Passengers.—Melbourne Argus

The Wreck of the Isabella Watson.—Up to yesterday evening a considerable quantity of cargo had been saved, numbers of people were employed, and should the weather prove moderate for a few days, something tangible will be recovered.—Melbourne Argus, March 27.

extracted from the Unassisted Shipping Index Victoria 1852-1899

note: there are some inconsistancies between the newspaper item, and the transcribed passenger list . . the Miss Mary Allen and Mrs. Hall who are indicated as drowned in the newspaper, do not appear by those names on the passenger list, likewise, the G.B. Hall and James Allen, also Eliza Newman and William Geraghty and William Kelly & Mrs. Kelly indicated as saved in the newspaper, do not appear by those names on the passenger list.

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