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Warrnambool Standard Current NewsAn expedition set out from Warrnambool yesterday afternoon with the object of searching for the historic mahogany ship supposed to be on the coast about half way between this town and Port Fairy. The exploring party comprised Messrs H.A.C. Macdonald, T.H. Osborne, J. Archibald, E. Greening, H. Parkinson, and a Standard reporter. The members of the expedition were confident of discovering the vessel, as a man residing near the coast, named J. Connors, had offered, in consideration of receiving a certain sum, to point out the very spot where the wreck was to be found - and after receiving a promise that he would be recompensed for his services, he consented to disclose the whereabouts of the wreck. Hence the sanguine anticipations of the party in setting forth to take possession of - well, visions of untold Spanish gold and valuable relics of centuries ago were conjured up. Proceeding by road as far as Tower Hill, a stoppage was made in order to enable the "Commodore" to take bearings. Having walked to the spot where the old church stood, the bearings given by Captain Mills were studied. The latter, in describing the position of the vessel, stated that the point of land on which the old church stood, and the highest peak on Tower Hill should be got in line from the seashore, the wreck being situated to the eastward of Gorman's Lane. Mr. Osborne having identified
this by compass bearings to be S.E. 1/4 east, a start was made for that point by
proceeding along Gorman's lane until the shore was gained. Connors was
here waiting to conduct them to the desired point and after walking about two
miles eastward, the guide stopped and intimated that the explorers were in the
neighbourhood of the vessel. He explained that it was some three years
since he saw it - that being the last occasion on which he was along the beach -
and the hulk of the wreck was then clearly discernible, being in the sea within
a chain of where he stood, and he could easily have walked out. It was
broadside on, and was about 66 feet in length. Previous to that he had
seen it frequently at low tide, and was certain it was in a few chains of where
he now conducted the party. However, there was a very high tide, and not a
vestige of the wreck could be seen, causing some disappointment. In the
meantime, Mr. T.H. Osborne had mounted a high sandhill to take the opposite
bearings to those obtained on Tower Hill, and he was ignorant of the fact that
Connors had arrived at the point. The day was beautifully fine and clear,
and favorable to this work, and the following bearings were taken very carefully
- site of iron church on peak of Tower Hill, N.W. 1/4 W. Mount Warrnambool, N.E.
by E. Saddle Hill, Port Fairy, S.W. by W. Islands at Warrnambool S.E. by E.
Catholic church spire in Warrnambool E. by S. He then ascertained that
Connors had stopped on the beach at this line of bearing, so that if Captain
Mills' directions were correct, the party must have been taken very close to the
vessel. Another proof of this was given by an old resident, who said he
had seen the wreck within a chain of a fence that was erected on the sand dunes,
and yesterday Connors pointed to this very spot. A discrepancy, however,
is found in the various opinions given to the whereabouts of the craft, as
Captain Mills and others who saw it some 40 years ago, stated that it was then
high and dry on the beach, whereas Connors avers that it is now in the
sea. This view was supported yesterday by two old identities - P. Doherty
and P. Joyce - both of whom agreed that the wreck was under water, but differed
as to the site. It is explained that for many years the sand has been
gradually shifting in toward the land, and the sea washed inward a corresponding
distance. Further search will be made, though a low tide will be required
before Connors' statements can be verified. |