Warrnambool Echo
October
1899
The Ancient Wreck
(To the Editor of the Echo)
SIR,- I have been told that several persons expressed
a wish to be informed of the site of the above for the purpose of prosecuting a
search when the fine weather sets in.
Allow me to warn them against wasting their
time by searching in the sea, where it will certainly not be found. A wreck
found in the sea will not be the one wanted, whatever its value or interest may
be in other respects.
Here is Captain Mills' sight-bearing as given
by Mr. Lynar, late Postmaster of Port Fairy:- "Well to the Eastward of
Gorman's lane: proceed eastward along the beach till you bring the point of land
on which the old iron church stood in line with the highest point of Tower Hill.
The wreck would be almost in straight line with those objects, well in the
hummocks."
The phrase, "well in the hummocks",
means, according to Mr. Alexander Rollo, of Panmure, who knew the wreck well for
years, about four chains from the water's edge. It lay behind a low hummock, and
had a higher hummock behind it. It was, therefore, in a valley, and not at all
visible from the beach or from the sea.
The late Mr. F. Saul told me about six months
before his death that when he was putting up a fence about 80 years since the
wreck was at that time "about fifty yards or two or three chains" from
the fence. The site of "Saul's fence" is known to persons in the
neighborhood of Gorman's lane, and some portions of it were in existence a few
months ago. It is to be specially noted that to this exact spot Mr. Rollo
conducted a small party of visitors a few months since. This also corresponds
with Captain Mills' sight bearing.
The only point upon which there is room for
expression of "opinion" appears to be as to the depth at which the
wreck lies in the sand. I should think from a portion of Saul's
fence being so lately extant, that it would not be very deep, and that
perhaps a ten-foot sharp iron rod may strike it. As the bow heads towards Port
Fairy, the boring should be from west to east. It would be necessary to secure a
small piece of the timber for expert examination. The site lies probably within an
area of a quarter of an acre, which can be fixed from the above particulars.
Sketch plans and particulars are posted at the "Illowa" and
"Killarney" hotels, and any further information will be given by the
writer at the Museum.
I may state that every pains has been taken to
verify the information given above. If persons will cut this out for reference,
it may assist them.
I am, etc.,
J. ARCHIBALD
October 4th., 1899
[back
to table of contents]
| 