THE INVERLOCH
Amazon
WHEN HISTORY & CONTEMPORARY BLEND WORDS CAMILLA HULLICK | PHOTOS BY DOUG PELL
Along the picturesque, north shore coastline of Bass Strait lies the stunning Inverloch beach, typically known as a popular seaside playground for thousands of admiring visitors each year. I recently strolled along the sandy shoreline one crisp, early morning, caffeine heart-starter in hand. Beginning near the mouth of Anderson Inlet, I headed in the direction of the surf beach a few hundred metres along, appreciating the striking turquoise highlights of shallow ocean pockets. The streams of the awakening sun accentuated them beautifully and as the tide retreated, there was no one to be seen. Having woken with a sense of nostalgia, I felt I was the only person alive fortunate to behold and absorb such organic, surrounding beauty. Pleasantly daydreaming while nearing the Inverloch Surf Lifesaving Club I noticed a short distance away, withdrawing waves gradually unveiling an unusual object, seemingly stuck in the saturated sand partway up the beach. My curiosity got the better of me and as I bee-lined for what I perceived as weathered matter, I realised I could quite possibly be looking at the remains of some kind of wreck. Sure enough, as I scanned the area, I spotted a small, but visible sign confirming my speculation reading, 'The remains of the historic shipwreck Amazon are buried in this area and protected under heritage legislation.' I stood in awe of the beached wreckage as further aged, dense wood slowly exposed itself through the continuous turning of the tide. Solemnly gazing at the remnants, my thoughts contemplated the souls on-board, who endured such a horrific phenomenon. I wondered if they lived to tell their tale. The thought of the light and shade of the worn timber, possibly centuries old, overwhelmed me.
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More so the wreck, wearing our predecessors embedded impressions and blending with our contemporary world, evoked a sentimental connection. I needed to learn the Amazon's story. According to my research, the ship was a three mastered barque weighing 362 tons. It was constructed by a ship builder named Frederick Charles Clarke in St. Heliers, Jersey, the largest of the Islands in the English Channel. Launched 18th May in 1855 displaying a female figurehead, the ship was christened Amazon and soon entered the international cargo trade, operating between the United Kingdom, Australia and South America. On the 12th December, 1863, thirty-eight year old Captain Abraham Ogier, his officers and crew departed Melbourne abound for Mauritius with a cargo of salted meats. During the night a storm with tremendous southerly gales erupted and vital sails were damaged. Despite all attempts, the ship began to drift uncontrollably toward the shore. Printed in the Portland Guardian newspaper January 7th, 1864, an extract from Captain Ogier's log notes written on the 15th December of the previous day: "Six a.m. — Twenty fathoms; saw breakers on port bow, and rocks ahead. Then found that the vessel was perfectly embayed. Saw land close too, but the weather was too thick to determine what it was. In this dreadful situation, seeing no hopes of saving either the vessel or lives, and being close to the breakers, called the crew aft and held a consultation as to what was the best to be done."
