Schooner Rebecca

The 30-ton sloop Rebecca was launched in 1834, built by Captain George Plummer at his boatyard on the banks of the Tamar River at Rosevears, Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania).

In 1835, owned by Robert Scott and chartered by John Batman on behalf of the Port Phillip Association for his first voyage to Port Phillip. Sailing from Launceston, Tasmania on 10th May 1835 , under the charge of Captain A. B. Harwood, he landed in Port Phillip Bay on 29th May 1835, where, later on 6th June 1835, he entered into a treaty with the aboriginal people for use of their land and chose the site of the future city of Melbourne, known as the Batman Treaty

After leaving a small party at Indented Head, Batman returned to Launceston, Tasmania on the Rebecca and announced his treaty to the colony at large. John Helder Wedge, who was also a member of the Port Phillip Association, then sailed to Port Phillip on the Rebecca to explore the country, landing at Indented Head and then sailing up the Yarra River, which he named.

According to research by Horton and Morris authors of "The Andersons of Westernport" it is their opinion that Samuel Anderson pioneer of Westernport did in fact purchase "Rebecca" for the use of the partnership of Anderson and Massie who operated from Bass in Victoria after Samuel Anderson established the third permanent settlement in Victoria in 1835.

From Tasmanian Shipwrecks Rebecca. Sloop, 25 tons.Built and reg. at Launceston, 4/1834, 1/1840. Lbd 35-4 x 13-1 x 6 ft. She had achieved fame as the vessel which had taken John Batman to Port Phillip in 1835 to establish the ‘village’ of Melbourne. Captain Henry Rowland. Ashore in a gale at Cape Portland, Tasmania, 20 March 1839. All hands landed safely and salvaged the cargo, but the vessel became a total wreck. [TS1]

A memorial to the Rebecca was unveiled in 1954 still existing today, near the site of George Plummer’s boatyard at Rosevears, on the Tamar River, Tasmania, recording it’s role in the founding of Melbourne.