Debate About the Location of Rocky Island as the Site of the Lincoln Star Wrecking

According to Copilot AI, this “document argues that the Lincoln Star was likely not wrecked at Rocky Island, and that the commonly reported location may stem from skipper Eric Tapley’s uncertain or possibly misleading radioed position.

It presents evidence from Stephen Winnall, later newspaper reports, and an inquiry suggesting the vessel’s true location at the time of disappearance cannot be known with confidence.

A Lincoln Star lifebuoy and a few related items were found months later on a beach in the Coorong, which adds mystery but does not confirm Rocky Island as the wreck site.

The document reconstructs the boat’s final known communications: engine trouble on 27 February 1961, later reports that it was underway with tuna aboard, and then loss of contact before it (planned to return to Port Lincoln).

The official conclusion is cautious: the vessel disappeared somewhere in the vicinity of Rocky Island, but the exact wrecking location remains speculative and disputed.”

As I explained in The Tug Moree and Lincoln Star wreckage, the 45-foot long tuna fishing boat Lincoln Star was said to have been wrecked at Rock(y) Island, near Port Lincoln on 27th February 1961 (with 7 casualties). The location of Rock(y) Island as the site of the wrecking has since come under scrutiny.

As reported by Stephen Winnall in The Tug Moree and Lincoln Star wreckage, his father and two friends drove down to the Coorong to see the grounded tug Moree being retrieved by contractors. The Moree was about 30 miles north of the 42-mile crossing.

On Sunday 13th August 1961, one of them noticed a strange looking round object high up on the beach. It turned out to be a life buoy off the Lincoln Star. There were a few other items scattered at that spot. A fishing net with glass net floats and a kit bag with shoes were recovered along with the lifebuoy.

After I had  published The Tug Moree and Lincoln Star wreckage, Stephen Winnall wrote to me to dispute the claim that the Lincoln Star  had been wrecked near Rock(y) Island: -

“On the 27th February 1961, the Lincoln Star had radioed another fishing boat at about 4.30pm (which I can provide the name of and the captain). Eric Tapley said that he was about 10 miles south of Rocky Island, but he did not get wrecked on Rocky Island.

In fact, he probably was not at the location he said that he was, as was the norm for that era. He had probably wanted to keep his location private??

It was bad weather, but he said he would be back at Port Lincoln by the morning, I recall it being reported as being at least (a) 150 -200 miles journey.

He was not quite fully loaded, but perhaps the boat design was never tested at 9 tonnes??

I look at the journey he took, and it is complete speculation, but if he did hit the peninsula, the boat would most likely break up?? so some of it might be on the rocks?? But nothing was ever found after very large beach searches over all of the beaches by foot or by air.

My guess is that during the night, it was unlucky to hit a set of waves that tipped it over??? i.e. it was not near a coast or rocks at all??

It was all searched by air, although not for several days delay. But it isn’t correct to say that the boat was wrecked on Rocky Island.

There was an inquiry after a few months and much local and state interest in the community searches.

But because Eric Tapley had communicated his claimed position of being 10 miles south of the island, it was later widely reported as his last known locality.

So that locality was soon investigated by other boats and also the RAAF sent their Bristol freighter, plus another small Cessna owned by a church missionary group was looking all around the region and coast too.

It was not common for aerial searches back then, Cessnas owned by anyone were not so common.”

Stephen later told me, “There were quite a few newspaper articles well prior to the lifebuoy though.”

According to the Port Lincoln Times for Thursday 16th March 1961, “Although the Port Lincoln tuna fishing boat Lincoln Star, with seven men aboard, has been missing for more than two weeks, … the official search has been called off.”

Then there was this from Stephen: -

“See the Port Lincoln Times for Thursday 29th June 1961. This page and its download are the best summary, because it’s about the inquiry in July, not long before Dad found the lifebuoy. This page is great because it describes the events and who said when and what to who.” …..

….. I believe that it was the 'Skipper Wilson' of vessel Hermay who later passed on that Tapley had said he was 10 miles south of Rocky Island, but can’t find that reference quickly. The very last contact with the Lincoln Star was at 1800 hrs on the 27th.

I will also find out which day afterwards that larger searches were organised, but the inquiry said that 'extensive land sea and air searches commenced on the 28th'.

While the above is true, it’s a question about where, when and what initial sea searches commenced. There was a broad radio VHF transmission for Eric to send up flares at 2100 on the 28th, but none were seen.

"On February 25, the evidence shows that the Lincoln Star reported that she was sheltering at Williams Island.

On February 26, she reported she had caught three tons of tuna. This was at 1800 hours, and she would drift overnight.

On February 27, at 0800 hours skipper Tapley reported (to Wilson on Hermay) that he could not start his main engine as his batteries were flat.

Skipper Wilson, of the vessel Hermay gave him certain instructions and at 1100 hours (on the 27th) skipper Tapley advised Wilson that everything was OK, and (he) was returning to Port Lincoln and expected to  arrive there at 0900 hours, on the morning of February 28 with nine tons of tuna aboard.

"Wilson arranged to call Tapley at 2000 hours (27th Feb). This was done but no reply was received from the Lincoln Star.

"When contact was made with the Lincoln Star at 0800 hours on February 27, it was significant to note that, at that stage, skipper Tapley had no idea of his current location and that, from that period on, it is pure conjecture as to the real locality of the Lincoln Star.

ALSO, by another witness (SAFCOL) at the inquiry: -

On the 8 a.m. schedule on February 27, the Lincoln Star reported she was having difficulty in starting her main motors and they were having trouble with flat batteries. He spoke to Eric Tapley.

After that schedule, several vessels in that area offered advice to Eric Tapley as to how to start the motor.

On the noon schedule, Eric Tapley reported the engine was going good and that the Lincoln Star was heading for the Continental Shelf.

At 4.30 p.m. the same day, Eric Tapley reported he had nine tons of tuna aboard and he gave his estimated time of arrival as 9 a.m. on February 28.

I therefore find from the evidence before me, that the Lincoln Star whilst engaged in Tuna fishing somewhere in the vicinity of Rocky Island, off the SA coast, on February 27, with its seven crew members disappeared at sea and it is presumed that all on board perished.”

(I thank Stephen Winnall for providing me with the above details. Further details can be found on the Eyre Peninsula Yarns and Family History | Facebook page. The latest photo on this topic can be found at Facebook. There are also some family photos at Facebook.)