According to https://www.facebook.com/EdithburghMuseum/posts/584892742899111/ , divers Allan Russell, Merv Bryant and Peter Mildren discovered the SS Clan Ranald’s anchor in 1972.
According to aug21.pdf, "On January 31st, 1909 the SS Clan Ranald came to grief near Troubridge Hill. Of the 63 crew 40 lost their lives. Those that did so are buried in the Edithburgh cemetery.
(Source: Clan Ranald (2) )
"Divers Peter Mildren, Merv Bryant and Allan Russell did numerous dives on the wreck in the early 70's, on one occasion in 1972 the anchor was discovered some 540 feet from the wreck by them and talking to Mr Dudley Diprose land owner close-by told him of their discovery.
"Mr Diprose was very interested owing to the history of his forbearers helping the sailors that came ashore. When told of the discovery Mr Diprose being a councillor suggested that with the council having a Bi-Centennial Celebration coming up it would be a good idea to raise the anchor and place it on the cliff close to where the disaster occurred."
The anchor was retrieved on 27th June 1974 by Para Star Crew R.Hendry, D.Anderson & T.Lane. On 12th October 1975, the anchor was displayed at Troubridge Hill as a memorial to the Clan Ranald's crew: -
(Source: "Clan Ranald" | Monument Australia)
(Source: "Yorke Peninsula, South Australia" published by Trueview (Aust) Pty Ltd)
This plaque and interpretive signage accompanied the anchor: -
(Source: Clan Ranald (2) )
Eventually, the anchor was removed for restoration. For a while, the signage remained in the absence of the anchor: -
After its restoration. the anchor was relocated in the median strip near the Edithburgh Museum: -
Note that the ship's bell was on display on the day of the unveiling/opening of the anchor display. The bell can also be seen on the table in the following photo: -
See "The ships’ bell from the SS Clan Ranald" for more details.
This is the new signage for the anchor display: -
( Photo taken by Lourdes Letheby)
“To discover the tragic story of the Clan Ranald shipwreck, visit the Edithburgh Museum (5-7 Edith Street, Edithburgh) and Cemetery.”
Archibald Deacon wrote his poem "The Wreck of the “Clan Ranald” " in 1909: -
Down the Port River, on a mid-summer day
The steamer, Clan Ranald, swept proudly away.
Bound for the Cape, with a light-hearted crew
What was in store for them God alone knew.
At ‘four bells’ she was struck by a big angry sea,
She listed right over; her decks washed a-lea.
She was crippled — and signalled for help to the shore,
But ere it arrived the ship was no more.
Down went the Clan Ranald, a most sad disaster,
For forty poor souls were called to their Master.
Rescuers on shore all help they were giving,
They were risking their lives for the sake of those living.
For, in utter darkness they were battling that night
In surf they were rushing to save, black and white.
Let us pity those living, and pray for those still,
Who were washed to Eternity off Troubridge Hill.
(Source: Clan Ranald (2) )
This photo shows the anchor near Troubridge Hill, with the lighthouse there in the background: -
(Source: Clan Ranald (2) )
(Header photo sourced from maxresdefault.jpg (1280×720))
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