Lars Larsen

The fishing boat, Lavina, left Fremantle around 1.30pm on Monday 12 November 1900, with the intention of heading to Safety Bay to fish. On board were Lars Larsen, a native of Sweden, around 30 years of age, and single and a man known as Ben Mikkelsen. Larsen had been engaged in the fishing industry around Bunbury and Fremantle for some time.

Shortly after leaving the harbour, the weather became squally and during one of the squalls the boat’s sail was torn to ribbons by the force of the wind, and the men had no option but to abandon their intention of going to Safety Bay and started heading back to Fremantle. They arrived back around 7.30 pm and anchored in South Bay. The sea in South Bay was increasing, so they made the decision to try and sail to the river for a safer anchorage.

After getting under way with storm sails, they headed towards the west end of the main jetty. The boat was making very little headway so they decided to set a storm jib, so as to give the boat more headway towards the west end of the jetty. Larsen went forward to set the jib, whilst Mikkelsen eased the main sail.

Mikkelsen, in his police report, stated that he saw Larsen raise the jib, put it in place and then jump up. As he had slackened off the main sail he went forward to give Larsen a hand. When going forward he was surprised to find that Larsen had disappeared. He called out and remained in the vicinity for some time, but he heard no cry and saw nothing of his mate.

The night was very dark and a heavy sea was running. With no response from Larsen he was compelled to head back to South Bay and make anchor. It was impossible to make shore and with the wind drowning his cries for help, he remained on board the Lavina until the following morning.

On the morning of Tuesday 13 November, Mikkelsen came ashore and notified Coxswain Hopkins at the Fremantle Water Police Station of what had occurred.

As far as he could recall, the accident occurred between half past nine and ten o’clock last evening, about half a mile south of the western end of the main jetty. Given the uncertainty of the exact whereabouts of the boat when Larsen went missing, it was considered useless to drag for the body.

Coxswain Hopkins indicated that the Water Police would keep a look out for the body in case it might float to the surface near the wharves.