Peaceful Loch Ard Gorge
A beautiful beach and crystal-clear waters sheltered from the open Southern Ocean beyond by the steep cliffs on either side would apparently make this an idyllic location. But this is the scene of one of Australia's great Victorian tragedies.
In the early hours of 1 June 1878, the Loch Ard, a Glasgow-built clipper, was approaching the end of a three-month voyage from Gravesend, England under Captain George Gibb when cliffs were seen ahead and despite the crew's best efforts, the ship ran aground on Muttonbird Island just beyond the entrance above.
Of the 36 crew and 18 passengers, only two, ship's apprentice Tom Pearce, and Eva Carmichael, one of a family of eight Irish emigrants, survived. After drifting for hours under an upturned lifeboat, Tom was swept ashore in this gorge after the tide turned at dawn. He heard cries and swam out to rescue Eva, taking an hour to bring her back to the beach. Tom then climbed out of the gorge seeking help. At Glenample Station, owner Hugh Gibson arranged to pluck Eva to safety.
Only four bodies were recovered from the Loch Ard and most of the cargo was lost, including some display pieces intended for Melbourne's 1880 International Exhibition.
Tom Pierce became a national hero and was awarded the Humane Society's gold medal for his efforts in front of 5,000 people. Romantic sentiment of the time wished Tom and Eva to marry but within three months she returned to Ireland and the two never met again.
Today, the Loch Ard Gorge is part of Port Campbell National Park, which also includes the Glenample Homestead and the world-famous Twelve Apostles.
If any of you saw the BBC's 'Coast Australia' series a decade ago, you'll have seen that the remnants of the wreck of the Loch Ard have been found and were dived on.
Peaceful Loch Ard Gorge
A beautiful beach and crystal-clear waters sheltered from the open Southern Ocean beyond by the steep cliffs on either side would apparently make this an idyllic location. But this is the scene of one of Australia's great Victorian tragedies.
In the early hours of 1 June 1878, the Loch Ard, a Glasgow-built clipper, was approaching the end of a three-month voyage from Gravesend, England under Captain George Gibb when cliffs were seen ahead and despite the crew's best efforts, the ship ran aground on Muttonbird Island just beyond the entrance above.
Of the 36 crew and 18 passengers, only two, ship's apprentice Tom Pearce, and Eva Carmichael, one of a family of eight Irish emigrants, survived. After drifting for hours under an upturned lifeboat, Tom was swept ashore in this gorge after the tide turned at dawn. He heard cries and swam out to rescue Eva, taking an hour to bring her back to the beach. Tom then climbed out of the gorge seeking help. At Glenample Station, owner Hugh Gibson arranged to pluck Eva to safety.
Only four bodies were recovered from the Loch Ard and most of the cargo was lost, including some display pieces intended for Melbourne's 1880 International Exhibition.
Tom Pierce became a national hero and was awarded the Humane Society's gold medal for his efforts in front of 5,000 people. Romantic sentiment of the time wished Tom and Eva to marry but within three months she returned to Ireland and the two never met again.
Today, the Loch Ard Gorge is part of Port Campbell National Park, which also includes the Glenample Homestead and the world-famous Twelve Apostles.
If any of you saw the BBC's 'Coast Australia' series a decade ago, you'll have seen that the remnants of the wreck of the Loch Ard have been found and were dived on.