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Tasmanian Seafarers' Memorial
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Will Watch (1958)
The plaque reads ...
Will Watch
Wooden Aux ketch foundered 17.12.1958
in heavy seas N. of Three Hummock Is.
enroute Ulverstone to Currie, King Is.
with 73 tons general cargo, crew of 5.
Captain: George McCarthy (29)
Engineer: Peter Hanson (45)
Deckhands: Neville Clifts (20)
Anthony Dick (19) John Mercer (16)
~ We heard you but could do nothing ~
As it had done for the previous five years, the timber auxiliary ketch Willwatch departed Ulverstone for King Island with general cargo and this time with three horses. The King Island News reported "King Islanders were shocked on Wednesday morning when news was flashed through that the ketch Willwatch was making water and had requested assistance. The vessel's position was between Three Hummock, Island and K.I. She had left Ulverstone the previous day on one of her normal trips here. First news of the state of danger to the ketch was at 8.30, at 9.30 the ship reported her bows were down in the water, and the final message was at 10.20 a.m. when Capt. McCarthy radioed 'It looks as though this is it.' "
A search by air and sea for the crew was without success with only a lifejacket and a few items of cargo being found.