SHIPWRECK HISTORY
It is impossible to stand upon these shores and remain untouched by the enormity of the immigrant experience. Tales of Shipwreck and a strong maritime connection are woven into the very fabric of this region.
Today our coastal towns look to the sea for inspiration and respite from the summer heat. In winter tempest we are reminded in bold clarity of those in peril at sea; of men women and children that undertook an open ocean crossing 90 days and a world away from familiar faces and certainty.
GREAT CIRCLE ROUTE SAILING
The wrecks along these shores (with the exception of the Napier) are all of long haul passages some of which had yet to sight land on the Australian continent. Speed at sea in this era was a common denominator for economic return. The captains of the day were bestowed celebrity status for carving days and weeks off the average 90 day passage.
The great circle route swung some 500 miles south of Cape Town and into the latitudes of the 50’s and 60’s. In an effort to shave off distance and time needed to approach the narrow 90km entrance to Bass Strait on a sharp NE bearing.
Ships masters were always wary of the low lying wreck magnet of King Island (55 wrecks) lying 90km off the mainland to the south east: favoring to orientate themselves with the taller coastal profile of the mainland and Cape Otway. They would often over compensate their navigation to the north to avoid its dangerous west facing coast.
The 90km gap between King Island and Cape Otway became known as the ‘eye of the needle.’ Charging out of the depths of the Southern Ocean aiming for this gap given the navigational tools of the day was the most treacherous part of the 2 – 3 month voyage.
NAVIGATION OF THE ERA
Great circle route sailing was quicker but it meant that for 8 – 12 weeks ships masters had to rely on fixing their position using celestial navigation for latitude and in combination were relying on an accurate chronometer (ships clock) to measure longitude.
A ships clock was set on Greenwich time (a known longitude) A navigator would establish local noon with a sextant and check the time difference against Greenwich time. Every hour of difference equates to 15 degrees of longitude (360 divided by 24) every minute equates to 0.25 degrees of longitude (15 divided by 60)
When skies were obscured deduced reckoning was made from the last known position. Deduced reckoning involves estimating forward speed and heading over time to a new position.
Once land was sighted, coastal navigation could be employed. Ships masters used known elevations on marine charts to mark position accurately on approach to the narrow 1.5 km opening into Port Phillip Bay (The Rip)
HISTORIC SHIPWRECK DISPLAY
(12 Apostles Visitor Information Centre - Port Campbell)
A delightful collection of artefacts from wrecks between Childers cove and Moonlight Head is on display at the 12 Apostles Visitor Information Centre – Port Campbell. A 1/60th scale model of the Loch Ard allows visitors to reference the size of the ship against actual hardware including a kedging anchor on display. Entry is free!
CAPE OTWAY LIGHTSTATION
The Beacon of Hope presides over the infamous eye of the needle. The 91m elevation from the tower affords visitors magnificent views over Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean. Explore the grounds which include a heritage listed telegraph station and World War 2 radar bunker.
Opening hours: 9:00am - 5.00pm daily (last entry 4.30pm) closed Christmas Day
Phone: 5237 - 9240
FLAGSTAFF HILL AND SHIPWRECKED
By day a recreated 1870's maritime village set on 10 acres reflecting the pioneering atmosphere of a busy coastal port.
By Night a breathtaking world class sound and laser show. Experience the tragedy, drama and excitement of sailing the high seas. Relive the tale of the ships demise and the miraculous survival of just 2 passengers, Eva Carmichael andTom Pearce.
The Loch Ard disaster is relived via a spectacular sound and laser show projected onto a 9m high aquascreen screening nightly on dusk (bookings essential) Dinner and show packages available.
Opening Hours: Museum and village 9 - 5pm daily closed Christmas Day
Phone: 1800 556 111
HISTORIC SHIPWRECK TRAIL
As you tour the Great Ocean Road, look for the signs which link the sites of many wrecks along the stormy coast of Western Victoria.
Each of the 25 sites reveals more about our fascinating maritime history. Allow yourself to go back in time to the days of sail when Bass Strait was the route to the riches of Victoria. Imagine both the small coastal traders and the large international ships that plied between Europe, America and Australia carrying not only vital cargoes, but immigrants on their way to an new life in the colony.
The trail is marked by road signs and leads to information plaques overlooking the cliffs where the wrecks occured.
There are 700 known shipwrecks along Victoria's coast, only 200 of them have been discovered. The Historic Shipwreck Trail shows some of the sites where gales, human error and in some cases foul play caused these vessels to be wrecked.
GLENAMPLE HOMESTEAD
Forever tied up with the story of the Loch Ard the historic Glenample Homestead is currently closed to visitors.
Ph: 13 1963
LOCAL WRECKS
Loch Ard
Year: 1878
Where: Mutton Bird Island off Loch Ard Gorge
Signaled the beginning of the end for emigrant passages travelling on boats with sail alone.
For more information on the Loch Ard click on the link below:
http://www.heritage.vic.gov.au/page.asp?ID=245
Schomberg
Year: 1855
Where: Schomberg Reef Peterborough
The finest ship of the era wrecked in controversial circumstances by its most colorful captain: James “Bully” Forbes.
For more information on the Schomberg click on the link below:
http://www.heritage.vic.gov.au/page.asp?ID=244
Fiji
Year: 1891
Where: West of Moonlight Head in proximity to the Marie Gabrielle
Stories of heroism, misadventure and a captain suspended for 12 months for his incompetent ship handling.
For more information on the Fiji click on the link below:
http://www.heritage.vic.gov.au/page.asp?ID=246
Marie Gabrielle
Year: 1869
Where: West of Moonlight Head in proximity to the Fiji
Crew split one group walking of the wreck site finding refuge at Rivernook Guesthouse. The less fortunate group struggled for 2 days before finally and Cape Otway Lightstation
Napier
Year: 1878
Where: Adjacent pier in Port Campbell Bay
A steamer commissioned to assist salvage of the Loch Ard, swell forced the vesssel onto rocks on western wall of bay, considered salvageable but was torn apart by another gale awaiting a pump to arrive from Warrnambool
Newfield
Year: 1892
Where: Newfield Bay about 1km east of Peterborough
Captain mistook the Cape Otway light for that of Cape Wickham (King Island) and altered tack to the north and east putting the vessel on collision course with the Victorian coast.
Falls of Halladale
Year: 1908
Where: Halladale point west of Peterborough
Wedged between 2 reefs for weeks drawing large crowds of onlookers
For more information on the Falls of Halladale click on the link below:
http://www.heritage.vic.gov.au/page.asp?ID=243
Antares
Year: 1914
Where: West of Peterborough via Radford’s Rd
Reported by a young boy who believed he saw flares and the German’s were coming. He was ignored and it was an estimated 2 weeks before wreck evidence was discovered by local sheep farmers on 13th December 1914.
Children
Year: 1839
Childers Cove
Crew sickness and gale force winds conspired upon this ill fated passage from Launceston to Portland. In 1951 high tide and rough seas exposed the skeletal remains of a man and child believed to be from the wreck which claimed 17 lives.
