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Steve Reynolds

The Geltwood Graves

According to https://borderwatch.com.au/local-news/2020/06/27/inland-link-to-maritime-history/, the iron hulled barque Geltwood was shipwrecked on a rocky stretch of coast adjacent to modern-day Canunda National Park during a storm on 14th June 1876.

 


(Source:  "Wrecks on the South Australian Coast" by Jack Loney and "Conserving our Historic Shipwrecks")




Although a few bodies from the shipwreck were found, the remains of four of them were buried in the first Millicent cemetery located near the present-day Millicent Hospital. Those four bodies comprised of passenger James Nelson and three unknown sailors.


James Nelson’s body had been identified by his signet ring. The graves are only 70 metres from the Millicent National Trust Museum. They are marked by a Celtic cross and a marble tablet.


Also according to https://borderwatch.com.au/local-news/2020/06/27/inland-link-to-maritime-history/, “The Geltwood was nearing the completion of her maiden voyage from the English city of Liverpool bound for Melbourne when it struck a reef and sank.


Of the 31 passengers and crew, there were no survivors as all are presumed to have drowned.


It was not until a few weeks later the shipwreck became known to authorities and by then, much of its washed-up cargo had been looted.


Some of the goods were legally salvaged and sold at auction while some of the looters were put on trial.


The shipwreck lies a few hundred metres off Geltwood Beach and diving on it is restricted to only a few days each year.


Southend professional fisherman Lance Chambers re-discovered the shipwreck by chance in 1980.


A diving team organised by the Millicent National Trust and sanctioned by the State Government recovered a number of relics from the ocean’s floor including two anchors.


(Source: "Wrecks on the South Australian Coast" by Jack Loney


The other anchor is at a memorial lookout (on Cape Buffon Drive) at Southend.


The maritime tragedy continues to be commemorated during various annual Millicent events."


The Geltwood anchor memorial on Cape Buffon Drive, Southend


Here are some more photos: -




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