Warrnambool Standard
June 20 1890
The Mahogany Ship
To the Editor of the Warrnambool Standard
SIR, - I have noticed from time to time a
number of letters in the Standard, re Mahogany ship, and some very remarkable
things have been said by persons who don't appear to know very much about this
ancient wreck.
If you think proper, Mr. Editor, add my quota of
information on the subject. In the years 1854 and '55, when a school boy
residing at South Warrnambool, I and others (several of whom are at present
residing in the Warrnambool district) were in the habit of walking along the
Port Fairy beach. I remember a wreck that was lying far above high water mark,
her stern pointed towards Port Fairy, and only her timbers were standing about
three or four feet above the sand, surrounded with vegetation. From the position
and appearance of the wreck, I am perfectly sure, she came ashore years before
the district was inhabited by white people.
If this is the mahogany ship the idea of
searching in the water is a mistake, as at the time I refer to, she could not be
seen from the water's edge, being high up on the hummocks.
I may mention that a human skull was lying in
the sand close to the wreck. I was afterwards informed that it was picked up and
taken to Warrnambool. This may have been the skull of an aboriginal, but
probably it was that of one of the crew of the old wreck.
I am, yours, etc.,
ALEX. ROLLO
Panmure, 18th June, 1890
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