Shipwrecks around Torquay
Ships Graveyard
Swift clippers brought migrants to the new frontier previously only known to explorers and whalers. They travelled through treacherous waters evidenced by the many shipwrecks around the Australian coastline – many in Bass Strait along the Surf Coast as they approached or left ‘the heads’. Being shipwrecked didn’t deter the new arrivals seeking their fortunes, nor did the 3 month journey which was uncomfortable as well as dangerous.
The three-mile stretch between Point Danger at Torquay and Barwon Heads is fronted by shallow rocky reefs and ledges that extend up to a mile offshore and break heavily. This reef, known as the Torquay Offshore Reef has a variety of diving spots including Sixty Foot reef, Mushroom Rock, Eighty Foot reef and Little Reef. Point Danger has been historically referred to as Angel Point and was declared as Point Danger Marine Sanctuary in 2002. Victoria Reef is one and a quarter miles east-north-east of Point Danger has a depth of 4.6m. Anderson and Cahir (2003), Surf Coast Wrecks, Heritage Victoria
Any wreck 75 years or older is automatically protected under Commonwealth law by the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976. At the time a world first, this act recognises the cultural significance historic shipwrecks have and protects them against commercial salvage. This law also protects historic shipwreck relics and artefacts in various public and private collections.
The many ships that came to grief along the Surf Coast entice divers to investigate and provide a wonderful haven for fish life, attracting anglers to the area. As does the artificial reef just out from Whites Beach.
The ship Earl of Charlemont struck what is now known as Charlemont Reef, about one mile south-west of Barwon Heads, then was carried onto the shallow reef directly in front of Barwon Heads Bluff, where remains of the wreck lie sanded up for most of the year and difficult to access due to breaking surf.
The ketch WELLINGTON went ashore at Black Rock, Bream Creek on 7 November but was refloated several days later. The ketch was built in 1884.
The LADY HARVEY was inward bound from Tasmania with a cargo of timber for the Williamstown jetty, when it ran aground on the rocks off the bluff at Barwon Heads during a gale on the 14 February and became a total wreck.
Captain Curtis and the crew swam ashore but, unfortunately, one man was swept away and drowned. Mr McDonald, a local settler, gave them assistance before they proceeded to Geelong.
Four years earlier, on 29 April 1854, inward bound from Glasgow, she had run ashore at Point Lonsdale, but was towed clear by the tug LIONESS.
The small steamer "ANT" left Circular Head in Tasmania on 11 June with nine passengers, a crew of seventeen, and a cargo of wheat, skins, potatoes, and sixteen sheep. The following day it ran ashore at Bream Creek on 12 June. Immediately, a seaman reported the fore compartment full of water, and the vessel could not be moved due to engine failure. A faulty steering compass and thick fog were believed to be major factors in the incident. All persons on board were saved.
The cutter LUCY LEE was bound from Melbourne to Apollo Bay, when it met heavy weather after clearing Port Phillip Heads on 29 October. When her sails, anchors and chains proved inadequate, she drifted ashore near Bream Creek. When she it the reef, a passenger, Robert Lacey was knocked overboard by the main boom and drowned, because conditions prevented efforts to rescue him. The other passengers reached land safely.
On 17 October inward bound from Liverpool the VICTORIA TOWER ran ashore at Bream Creek after running into dense fog preventing the Captain from ascertaining the ships position. Rockets and flares were fired at regular intervals, but the ship struck driving the mainmast through her keel and breaking her back. Anchors were let go immediately to hold her but she drove broadside on to the sea about 400 yards from the shore.
The pinnace was launched but a huge sea smashed it immediately, but a local resident, Mr Noble, who had seen the wreck, waited until a second boat containing six members of the crew reached shore, then hurried to Geelong for assistance.
Ran ashore
The wooden ship SUSSEX left Plymouth for Melbourne on 9 October with a general cargo, 47 passengers and a crew of 47. The ship arrived at The Heads on 31 December and mistook the Queenscliff lights for Cape Schank and changed course. When breakers were seen ahead an attempt was made to bring the ship to, but it was too late, she ran on to a reef one and a half miles west of Barwon Heads. The lifeboat was swamped drowning all but one occupant.
The ketch FOAM, built in 1877, owned by the Anderson family of Lorne, and skippered by the eldest son, William, disappeared off Bream Creek on 30 January during a regular trading voyage between Loutit Bay (Lorne) and Melbourne. She weighed anchor in fine conditions, but apparently ran into a squall and foundered. Her crew of three and a boy passenger were not seen again, although a few days later a lifebuoy and wreckage was washed ashore.
On 30 June 1881, the Naiad was on a voyage to Adelaide when it struck rough weather. It had rounded Cape Otway when the full force of the gale was felt and several sails were blown away. With no signs of the storm abating, the captain turned the vessel around, but a leak sprang before reaching the heads. To save their lives it was decided to beach the yacht at Point Addis, where it broke up a few hours later. The two crew, Smales (captain) and Hill (crewman), were found wandering along the shore by the manager of Mr Murchison's property at Jan Juc and were cared for overnight. They went to Geelong the next day and, on application to the police, received free passes for the last train to Melbourne.
Source: Geelong Advertiser 4 July 1881
The iron steamer BERENGARIA, left London and on the morning of 3 February with a cargo of wine, spirits, beer, general merchandise, and three valuable mares. ran ashore at Bream Creek. The ship lay head on to the beach in 19 feet (6m) of water between a flat reef and the shore when the steamers Coorong, Julia Percy, and Casino went to her assistance but were unable to tow her clear although the passengers were transferred to the Coorong which took them on to Melbourne shortly before the Queenscliff lifeboat arrived.
Some of the cargo was loaded on to a lighter towed by the tugs Rescue and Albatross and taken to Melbourne, while the crew dumped many tons into the sea to lighten the ship which finally freed the ship and it was towed to Melbourne. Police were stationed on the beach to protect cargo washed ashore but more than 3,000 people visited the scene next day and before long the crowd took control. Large quantities of beer and spirits were stolen and buried in the sand hills while many broke open tins of preserved meat and fish.
S.S. BELLINGER, became grounded near Point Addis on 7 October but floated off shortly after. Later inspection showed no major damage. The ship had been steering close to shore and not checking depths on a fine day with a smooth sea. The Captain believed the cargo of iron pipes may have affected the compass resulting in the ship being eight miles off course.
The wooden barque SOUTH MILTON left Mauritius with a crew of 16 and a cargo of sugar on 7 March but struck the Charlemont Reef near Barwon Heads on 10 April after not noticing breaking waters.
The seas forced the barque over the reef into calmer water enabling the crew to launch the boats and escape with a few bundles of clothes.
The JOSEPH H. SCAMMELL was destroyed on a reef near Point Danger, Torquay, during the night on 7 May and sparked off a wave of smuggling and pilfering. On board was a crew of 19, the captain’s wife, his daughter and a stewardess.
Shortly after sailing the ship encountered adverse winds, only varied occasionally with fine weather until the Cape of Good Hope was reached. Then good headway was made with day runs reaching 300 miles until Australian waters were entered, when thick showers and heavy squalls lashed the ship.
After sighting The Heads squalls blew up from the south, forcing the ship to tack under short canvas while she flew the pilot flag signal. The coastline was misty and uncertain but Captain Chapman expected to take on a pilot early in the morning and pass through the Heads. As darkness fell he picked up what he believed were the lights at Queenscliff, also the Cape Schank light and another light on Arthur's Seat. Although he believed the ship to be on a true course each time a new one was set she was apparently forced inshore by a strong current and in the darkness struck a reef. The next morning all on board were rescued.
In the early hours of 13 July, the steamer BANCOORA ran ashore near Bream Creek. The Bancoora had left Calcutta for Melbourne with 1500 tons of general cargo including hemp, woolpacks, tea, and tapioca. After stopping at Adelaide to unload some cargo and load flour, the weather became hazy with rolling seas. As the vessel neared The Heads the captain and crew searched in vain for the light at Point Lonsdale, but suddenly the Bancoora struck a sandbar, remaining on an even keel with seas breaking right over her. At dawn, the second officer and crew managed to get a boat ashore about 200 yards distant, and Mr Milne, a local farmer, took the word to Geelong. The passengers and crew went ashore safely, with the captain and officers remaining on board.
A small sailing skiff was reported wrecked in Zeally Bay, Torquay in July 1891:
The little skiff was one in which three plucky fishermen made their way, in the open sea, from Warrnambool to Spring Creek during some rough weather a few weeks since, and regarding whose fate some considerable anxiety was felt until their arrival at their destination was chronicled. The boat was anchored in Zeely Bay (sic) but was overturned and sunk by a huge wave, after which it was dashed ashore amongst the breakers and smashed to splinters. Geelong Advertiser, 14 July 1891
Just off Torquay is an area in Bass Strait commonly known as the ‘Ships Graveyard’ where old vessels from humble barges to large steamers lie at the bottom of the ocean, all of which had served to a point where their economic value had ceased.
The Milora was stripped of anything valuable, towed to deep water and scuttled by explosive charges set deep in their hulls.
The S.S. ORUNGAL, left Sydney at midnight on 19 November with 16 passengers and l ,200 tons of general cargo, arriving off the Victorian coast next day. The weather soon became overcast with a heavy drizzle with heaving driving rain and the wind increasing to gale force later that evening producing a rough sea.
The ORUNGAL, struck rocks at about 10.30 p.m. and stranded on the Formby Reef near Barwon Heads. Passengers and crew landed safely soon after daylight.
Just off Torquay is an area in Bass Strait commonly known as the ‘Ships Graveyard’ where old vessels from humble barges to large steamers lie at the bottom of the ocean, all of which had served to a point where their economic value had ceased.
The Dunloe was stripped of anything valuable, towed to deep water and scuttled by explosive charges set deep in their hulls.