Peter Andreas Gundersen

Peter Gundersen was a seasoned able seaman arriving in Albany on 21 October 1896, employed as a trimmer, on the newly launched steel cargo ship Maritta. The Maritta was built by the renowned Tyne shipbuilder, Sir WG Armstrong, Mitchell & Co. Ltd and was launched on 13 February 1896. It appears that Gundersen was on it’s maiden voyage which concluded in Albany in the October of the same year.

In 1898 he was discharged as an able seaman from the Barque Kate Sithan in New South Wales, later serving as an able seaman on the ship Herbert until early 1903. It is not clear how he ended up in Fremantle but more than likely aboard the Herbert which at the time was owned by the Adelaide Steamship Company. The Herbert was also a Tyne built cargo ship, unfortunately sinking in January 1933 and consequently being dismantled and scuttled off Cape Cleveland, Queensland.

In June 1903 Gundersen was one of the crew of boat No. 105 which was moored in Victoria Quay, Fremantle. He was last seen around 6.00 pm on Tuesday, 23 June when he was going ashore. A report reached the Water Police on Wednesday afternoon from a fisherman that one of the crew from boat No. 105 was missing after going ashore the night before. Sergeant Hopkins went and had a look at where the boat lay and after inquiring after the man’s habits came to the conclusion that he was in the water. His belief was strengthened by the fact that it was very difficult to get back on the boat from the wharf. Dragging was commenced and after about an hour and a half Gundersen’s body was brought to the surface.

An inquiry into the death of Gundersen was held at the Fremantle Court House at 3.00 pm on Thursday, 25 June before the Acting Coroner, R. Dearle J.P. Evidence given showed that Gundersen had been drinking heavily with some companions on the Tuesday night. He left the overhead bridge around midnight with the intention of going back onboard the Nor 105. Nothing further was seen or heard of him until his body was recovered from the water beneath the boat. A verdict of ‘found drowned’ was returned. He was 30 years of age.

Peter Gundersen was born on 20 April 1873 in Porsgunn, Telemark, Norway. He had a twin brother, Louis August, who died on 17 March 1881 just before his eighth birthday.

He is buried in the Fremantle Cemetery.