As I wrote at The John Pirie Anchors (and other Anecdotes About Doug Seton), Doug Seton “played a major role in the recovery of the bow anchor of the Margaret Brock which is now restored at Kingston National Trust Museum”, along with other members of the Historical Research Section of the Underwater Explorers Club of South Australia (UEC).
(Source: (4) Facebook)
The 245-ton, 3-masted, wooden barque Margaret Brock was wrecked near Cape Jaffa on 23rd November 1852 at the reef now bearing its name. The reef (shown below) is 8km off Cape Jaffa.
(Source: The Advertiser, 22nd March 1969)
(Source: (5) Facebook )
This photo shows the Lipson Beacon (later?) placed on the reef: -
(Source: (5) Facebook )
Built by Henry Tonkin in Hobart Town in 1848, the Margaret Brock's dimensions are given as 92/24/14 (feet, rounded off) in "South Australian Shipwrecks - A Data Base 1802-1989" by Peter Christopher. Further details can be found in:
"Wrecks on the South Australian Coast" and "Wrecks on the South Coast of South Australia" by Jack Loney
"Shipwrecks in South Australia (1836-1875)" by Ronald Parsons
"The Cape Jaffa Lighthouse Story" by Verne McLaren
Peter Koch (with an octopus)
(Source: The Advertiser, 22nd March 1969)
The 8' 1/2-ton bow anchor was raised by four UEC divers, Peter Koch, Terry Drew, Richard Taffs and Doug Seton. Here is a photo taken at the site on that day in February 1973: -
It shows a diver, some of the four the 200-litre drums used for lifting the ‘8-foot anchor’, and the Cape Jaffa lighthouse in the background. According to a Facebook post , "the “Margaret Brock” anchor .... was wedged tightly into the reef. The work of raising the anchor in these waters was very dangerous but Doug and his experienced team had already become famous for raising the “Flinders” anchors ..... The team found a Polynesian axe and ballast bricks close to the anchor and, as the “Margaret Brock” had traded in Polynesian ports, it was almost certain that the anchor was that of the “Margaret Brock”. The anchor was in remarkably good order and still had the mooring ring attached. "
This photo shows the anchor on the sea bed: -
The Margaret Brock anchor on the sea bed
(Taken by Doug Seton)
It also had a shackle and some chain still attached. Here is the anchor being pulled up onto the Cape Jaffa lighthouse platform: -
(Source: the Kingston Leader, 1st March 1973 and (4) Raising of the "Margaret Brock Anchor:... - Cape Jaffa Lighthouse | Facebook )
(Source: the Kingston Leader, 1st March 1973 and (4) Raising of the "Margaret Brock Anchor:... - Cape Jaffa Lighthouse | Facebook )
Local fishermen assisted the divers with the recovery and transport of the anchor. A crane was provided to lift the anchor for transporting it to Adelaide (and back) for "intensive preservation treatment by I. D. McLatchie free of charge".
(Source: The Advertiser, 26th March 1974 and (4) Raising of the "Margaret Brock Anchor:... - Cape Jaffa Lighthouse | Facebook )
It was eventually put on display in the Kingston National Trust Museum at 23 Cooke Street, Kingston SE.
The Margaret Brock anchor
(Sources: Wrecks on the South Australian Coast" by Jack Loney
and "The Cape Jaffa Lighthouse Story" by Verne McLaren)
A forklift was used to deliver the large anchor to the door of the museum on Saturday 29th June 1974: -
(Source: the Kingston Leader, 4th July 1974)
Members of the Trust then had to help to carry the anchor inside: -
(Source: the Kingston Leader, 4th July 1974)
?)
14 people were needed to help to carry the heavy anchor. The anchor was put in place before being officially handed over to the museum by Doug Seton during a ceremony in front of more than 100 people. It was then unveiled by Mr V. (Verne?) McLaren, the Trust's chairman.
(Source: the Kingston Leader, 4th July 1974. Photo taken by J. Kelly)
The ceremony was followed by presentations, films and supper.
The Cape Jaffa Lighthouse & platform
(Taken by Doug Seton)
Doug Seton (on left)
(Source: Doug Seton)
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