The Sydney Morning Herald, Tuesday 27 May 1890
(New South Wales)

STRUCK BY A SEA
A new steel ship on her maiden voyage, the Fascadale, shipped a huge sea during her voyage to Melbourne, which caused the loss of one of the crew. Captain Stiven, formerly of the Arethusa, is in command. The occurrence was on April 18, in 45 E. and 40 S. A gale then set in from S.W., and blew with great fury, accompanied by a high tumultuous sea, for about 24 hours. It appears that the vessel had just been put under the three lower topsails, and was making comparatively easy weather of it, when at 8 o’clock at night an immense body of water broke over her. For about a minute the result of its unexpected and unwelcome advent could not be ascertained, owing to the darkness of the night and the roaring of the storm; but then it was found that one of the A.B.’s, named John H. Richards, had been swept over the side. The third mate, Richards, and another sailor were clearing the main brace at the time, and all three were knocked down and washed about the deck, but the other two saved themselves, while Richards disappeared. Life lines were thrown over the side, but by that time the unfortunate man must have been left a long way astern. The gale was so heavy that even in the daylight it would have been impossible to have attempted a rescue; and, under the circumstances, nothing whatever could be done. He was a native of Penzance, Cornwall, and 26 years of age.

Contributed by Bob Bolitho