City Libraries, City of Gold Coast

The story of John Blinksell, Alexander Berry's shipwright and builder [of] the brigantine Coolangatta, [miscellanea file]

The story of John Blinksell, Alexander Berry's shipwright and builder [of] the brigantine Coolangatta

[miscellanea file]

John Blinksell alias Kendrick was a convict and worked in the shipyards in Port Jackson. Blinksell built the first boat, a 25 ton sloop called Water Mole, in the Shoalhaven. John also worked as a carpenter for Alexander Berry on buildings in Coolangatta Estate at Shoalhaven. John married Julia Shea. He was granted a Conditional Pardon in 1839. He is then credited with building the brigantine Coolangatta in 1843 and earned the title Master Shipwright. He attended the stranding of the Coolangatta on the beach near Point Danger in May 1847 and while he managed to refloat the vessel another gale of wind and storm finally wrecked the ship beyond recovery.