Capsize of the ferry Pearl

The capsize of the ferry Pearl occurred on Thursday 13 February 1896 in the Brisbane River, Queensland, Australia.

The ferry was described as such: The Pearl was a wooden screw-steamer of ten horse-power and forty-one tons register, gross.

[3] On the afternoon of the disaster, at around 5pm, Pearl was re-crossing the river, which was flowing more strongly than usual due to floodwaters.

[4] Nearby small boats, including those from other ferries and one from Lucinda, raced to the site and rescued around 40 survivors, some of whom clung to the anchor chain, life buoys, or wreckage.

[5] An inquest was later held into the accident with blame focusing on the captain, James Chard (who survived), who may have been drinking.