The Manly–Agnes collision was a 1904 shipwreckinSydney Harbour, Australia.[1] It involved the 30' launch Agnes and the steamer SS Manly which was a much larger passenger ferry.[2] The Agnes was carrying a family between Snails Bay and Middle Harbour.[3][4]
The Agnes was a launch owned by Frederick Thomas Heming. She had been completed in 1904 by W Holmes of North Sydney, New South Wales and was powered by a 5 hp (3.7 kW) Hercules engine.[citation needed]
The collision occurred in the Sydney Harbour on a Sunday. The Manly ran into the Agnes hitting it near the stern. The Hemings family of six people on board the Agnes were thrown into the water.[1] Mr. Heming and his wife Agnes drowned[5] - their four children were rescued and survived.
Captain Ward of the Manly was charged with manslaughter.[4] The jury deliberated a short time before returning with a verdict of not guilty.[6] Blame for the accident was placed on Hemings for turning into the path of the ferry. Captain Ward was admonished for not sounding the ferry's whistle.[5]
The four Hemings children were orphaned by the loss of their parents. A fund was created to help the oldest son buy out the parents laundry business.[5]
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Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in 1906
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| Shipwrecks |
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| Other incidents |
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33°51′S 151°14′E / 33.85°S 151.24°E / -33.85; 151.24
