Lost at sea in an Esky

The remains of the icebox that saved Jack Drinan’s life

Nationality: Australian

Vessel type: Prawn Trawler

Date lost: 25th April 1963

Cause of loss: Collision with Zuytdorp Cliffs

Number of Casualties: 3

Discovery date: South of Steep Point, Shark Bay

Location/water depth: 8 metres

Prawn trawler the Nor 6 was on her maiden voyage to Carnarvon, skippered by Jack Drinan with three crew. At 5.20am on the 25th April 1963, the Skipper who was asleep on the Wheelhouse bunk while crew member Ron Poole, was at the helm, woke as the boat hit the cliffs.

As Jack struggled to get clear from the propellers and the cliffs he caught sight of the boats icebox. This very icebox would serve as his life boat for the next 10 days.

Living on the contents of the icebox and at the mercy of the currents Jack drifted out to sea. Jack survived on the provisions in the esky. As Jack drifted in and out to sea, he had to make a desperate decision. Using a makeshift raft he paddled for land. Presumed dead, Jack was reunited with his family 14 days after his boat sank.

Final Farewell

Carved into the Icebox that eventually made it back to shore:
This brine tank supported J Drinan as a life raft for 10 days following the wreck of the Vessel Nor 6….at 4pm on the tenth day I set out for shore on a raft made from the lid. May God have mercy on my soul.

URLs

https://archive.sro.wa.gov.au/index.php/inquiry-into-loss-of-f-b-no...

A Memorial erected at the site above where the Nor 6 crashed into the cliffs

Objects of interest (artefacts, images or other collection items) associated with the shipwreck story.

The Shire of Shark Bay holds the remains of the icebox from the Nor 6 tragedy.
Andy de Petra - a Nor West Whaling fisherman (company that owned the trawler), Paul & Pam Dickenson and Hugh Edwards were responsible for the memorial that stands along the top of the cliffs just south of Steep Point.
The maps of the area in 1963 were incomplete. Vessels were still using HMS Herald’s 1858 survey maps.