The British India Company’s steamer Bancoora was driven ashore at Bream Creek by heavy seas on 14 July 1891. She left Calcutta on 9 June with a general cargo of tea, rice, tapioca, sugar and jute bags. The unusual cargo of Zoo animals was also included. She delivered some cargo in Adelaide before resuming her voyage to Melbourne. As they rounded Cape Otway the weather became hostile, and at 2 am, the Captain miscalculated their location. No lights were visible at the time, and the sound of the surf on the beach could be heard. Engines were reversed in the hope that they might get away safely, but it was too late, and the vessel swung on the beach, stern on. All efforts to get her off were fruitless. The waves moved her frequently until she finally settled in the sand about 45 meters from the reef and about 800m out at sea. The waves were very rough and frequently broke right over the vessel. Signals of distress were sent out without eliciting any response from the shore, and those on board waited patiently until morning to better understand their situation. Unbeknownst to the crew, a local farmer, Mr Milne, had heard the calls for distress but could not cross the flooded creek to reach the beach, so he rode his horse into Geelong to raise the alarm. Shortly after daylight, a boat was put ashore, and a line was passed on the beach to facilitate the passengers and crew’s landing. Local fishermen who saw the stranded vessel helped in getting the passengers ashore.
The Bancoora stayed stranded until 28 August 1891. During that time a salvagers camp was set up in the dunes. Two anchors believed to be related to the salvage attempt still lie off Bancoorra Beach. The stranding generated much public interest with part of the cargo destined (and successfully salvaged) for the Melbourne Zoo, which included a young elephant, a rhinoceros, monkeys and parrots. All were landed safely and taken by lorry to Geelong, although the rhinoceros unfortunately only survived for two days. The other animals were on display at the zoo two weeks later.
Sources:
The Age 14 July 1891
The Argus 14 July 1891
Mount Alexander Mail 15 July 1891
Cecil & Carr, (1992) Along the Great Ocean Road: Wrecks and some near misses 2nd Ed. Anglesea and District Historical Society
