Thomas O'Grady

On 25 July 1870, the Gift sailed into Fremantle from Irwin River with her flag at half-mast. She brought her master, Thomas O’Grady home. He was 27 years old, and a respected seaman and master of the Gift. And he had died aboard the schooner most unexpectedly.

Thomas Patrick O’Grady was born in County Limerick, Ireland in 1845. His parents John O’Grady and Charlotte Southwell Keeley had 10 children, eight of whom survived to adulthood. To avoid poverty the family emigrated to Western Australia via the clipper ship Raleigh in 1952 and settled in Fremantle. They initially had berths to Victoria, however they disembarked at Fremantle when Charlotte became ill.

The Gift was a 30.23 tons two-masted fore and aft schooner. She measured 53 feet in length, 13.1 feet across her beam and drew 7 feet of water. She was built from Huon pine, with copper sheathing to the water line, in Hobart in 1866, and was first registered in Fremantle as number 8 of 1868. Her official number was 32146.

Initially Gift was owned by the merchant George Shenton. After George’s untimely demise aboard the Lass of Geraldton the Gift was owned by a conglomerate with George Roe as its representative. Phillip Passey and Hugh Christie (Master) were active partners in Gift.

Thomas became popular for survey work along the northwest coast. Under his command the Gift was sent to search for the Emma which disappeared. Thomas searched the WA coast for the missing vessel. Thomas was also engaged in uncovering blackbirding operations in the northwest. He was chartered by Sub Inspector Piesse to investigate blackbirding at Shark Bay and arrest anyone involved in the illegal unsavoury practice.

Thomas had left the Irwin River mouth feeling unwell. A crew member, Smith came to his aid and helped him to his cabin. He complained of a pain in his side. It was not long before he had one or two small fits. Smith gave Thomas a little rum to revive him, but Thomas vomited and had another seizure. Then suddenly he was gone.

Justice of the Peace Mr Stone conducted an inquest was conducted a few hours after the Gift anchored in Fremantle Port. Dr Dickie completed an autopsy and gave his findings to Mr Stone Justice of the Peace. Thomas had died of heart disease. Comments were made about the young man who seemed to be strong and hearty, popular and deeply respected as a member of the sea going community. The inquest report stated Thomas “died by the visitation of God”.

Thomas was a member of the Oddfellows Society. The Oddfellows followed his funeral cortege, where he was buried by Reverend Bostock at the Skinner Street Cemetery in Fremantle.

Thomas married Annie Alma Hanham in March 1870. He died four months after his wedding. Thomas had three brothers who went to sea and became masters and captains. Henry Wyndham O’Grady (1838 – 1898) passed his master’s certification in 1868. His first command was a 38-ton coastal tramp called Lass of Geraldton. The boat sank off Mandurah en route from Fremantle to Bunbury. She capsized in a storm. Henry (known as Harry) narrowly escaped death after spending approximately eight hours swimming to shore. Not to be deterred, Harry went on to command several vessels on coastal and international routes, including. He never recovered from a racking cough contracted during the sinking of Lass of Geraldton, and at the age of 60 he died from phthisis. Harry’s wife Eulalie (Lily) Tondut had died six years earlier. He left behind five daughters and three sons.

Michael William O’Grady (1849 – 1898) had several commands, proving to be a steady and reliable master. In 1876 he was placed in command of the 211-ton steam ship Georgette. He was commended for his role in the attempted recapture of six Fenians who escaped from Fremantle prison via the Catalpa. Michael loved the sea and was well respected and liked in the marine fraternity. Newspapers commented that Michael resembled an old colonist and was popular in Fremantle. He did not marry or have children. He died at the age of 49 from complications of extreme deprivation he experienced when he was accidently deserted at the Monte Bello Islands without provisions or fresh water. He survived the ordeal; however his health was significantly diminished.

John (Joannis) O’Grady (1841 – 1903) was a Master Mariner. He commanded the Bungaree and other vessels on the West Australian coast, including Arabian and Albert. He sailed on the He married Jane Malone from Dublin in 1864, and they had nine children, eight of whom survived. John survived the 1881 Exmouth cyclone which claimed the Bungaree.He lost his eldest son (16 years of age, also called John) who he had taken aboard with him.John spent 21 years managing the Rottnest salt works.He worked on Canning River for three years. Then he went pearling at Shark Bay and Onslow. For all his experience, John had a checkered career. In 1881 he was found guilty of manslaughter of a crew member on his vessel.He didn’t go home for long periods of time and at the end of 1874 Jane applied for poor relief. John died suddenly in 1903, aged 64, while he was pearling at Onslow.He was buried near his wife in the Old Onslow Cemetery.Jane had died in 1894. The remainder of the O’Grady family were interred in Fremantle.

Ironically, Thomas’ father (John O’Grady) died by accidental drowning. He was not at sea. He left home on 22 September 1876 and did not return. He was found after 24 hours at Willis Point in four feet of water. He had fallen in a fit and could not get up. An inquest on 23 September concluded John had an accidental death.

In 1872 Gift had a crew of 37 Macassans who were experienced in trepang fishing. Master Hugh Christie had replaced Thomas in command, and Phillip Passey was aboard as the mate. George Roe was also aboard. At Condon Gift was taken by her crew who mutinied without warning after a disagreement with George. Master Christie was killed by kriss stab wounds, and Phillip had multiple stab wounds [See the story of Hugh Christie]. George and Phillip recovered the Gift from Surabaya, [Java] 12 months later.

The Gift continued to work until 1898. She was one of many vessels in Shark Bay that was struck by a severe cyclone in January. She parted her chains during the storm and was blown out to sea. She sank and was not seen again.