Melbourne Argus
September 16   1910

The Spanish Galleon
To The Editor Of The Argus

Sir, - Might not Mr. James Stevens himself have mistaken the wreck he visited in 1853, and Captain Mills be right after all?  It is, of course, allowed by the old-time writers that there were many old hulls on the beach between Warrnambool and Port Fairy in those early years.  Yet, while all except the "Mahogany Ship" were known by their respective names, the "Mahogany Ship" was then known as "The Other Ship".  It was first seen in 1836, and last seen in 1880, and the balance of evidence covering that period places the ancient wreck on a spot about 10 chains up the beach from the water's edge, and about six miles W.N.W. from the town of Warrnambool - that is, to the east of Gorman's Lane and to the west of the Shelly Beach.  The "Mahogany Ship" is the centre one of three wrecks about equidistant on this southern coast - all of which are famous in their way.  The others are:- (a) The Thistle, a 64-ton schooner, associated with the very earliest permanent settlement of Port Phillip, and with the names and fortunes of the Hentys, who came over in her from Launceston, Van Dieman's Land, to Portland in 1834.  The Thistle was wrecked at Port Fairy on December 21, 1837.  (b) The Enterprise, a 57-ton schooner, John Pascoe Fawkner's ship.  In August, 1835, she entered the Yarra, bringing the first permanent settlers to the site of Melbourne, and was moored opposite to where the Custom-house now stands.  The Enterprise was wrecked at Lady Bay, Warrnambool in September, 1850.  The Historical Society of Victoria are now arranging to erect a monument to indicate the spot where the Enterprise was cast ashore. --

Yours &c.,

E. WILSON DOBBS
Toorak, Sept. 13

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