117 THE INVERLOCH AMAZON – When history & contemporary blend

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. 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."

By 10am on 14th December, the vessel ran aground onto the beach at Inverloch, close to cliffs one mile south west of Anderson Inlet. The fore and main masts were cut away to prevent the vessel from further damage. The crew were exhausted after all hands were on deck for a laborious and, I imagine, terrifying period of forty-eight hours, and did not make it to shore until 3pm that afternoon. Astoundingly, all survived and set up camp on the beach the following morning. They then proceeded to search the nearby area for signs of inhabitants.

Not a soul was sighted until the 21st December when a local man, named Mr Heales, noticed a flying distress flag while on his way to Melbourne to celebrate Christmas with family. Graciously, he escorted Captain Ogier to Melbourne, who then raised the alarm requesting immediate assistance. In the meantime the crew remained close to the Amazon and were soon rescued by H.M.C.S Victoria.

The following is an extract from Portland Guardian and Normanby General Advertiser newspapers – Thursday 7th January, 1864:

"Captain Abraham Ogier, his officers, and crew, beg to express their thanks to Captain Norman, officers, and crew of H.M.C.S. Victoria for their kindness."

My findings are an incredible account of historical residue still tangibly existing on our stunning South Gippsland coastline.

Featuring historical significance for numerous reasons, the Amazon is a wonderful and rare discovery of a mid-19th century, wooden, international trading vessel, which contributed to Victoria’s economy in the 1800's. Victorian Shipwreck Resources show various examples of international iron and steel trading ships, but no other wooden cargo carriers of its kind. The Amazon is also the sole example documented in the Victorian Wreck Resource that was built in one of the British Channel Islands.

A substantial erosion occurred at Inverloch beach during Autumn storms in April 2015 and exposed delicate, organic artefacts, such as a deadeye with a knot still tied at one end. In 2019 further erosion took place by a record of forty metres, revealing sizeable components of the wreck and fragments of the ship's hull. Heritage Victoria in collaboration with Parks Victoria carefully removed large sections of the exposed shipwreck remains and reburied them for preservation.

The Amazon wreck is one of six hundred shipwrecks discovered throughout the entire Gippsland region, many of which are under threat from environmental and human interference. While all are protected, the Amazon was noted by Heritage Victoria as one of the top twenty most significant and at-risk shipwrecks.

The intention is to continue to execute Amazon's archaeological site recordings and research, in the hope to learn more about the wreck, its story and its significance to South Gippsland. According to the Victorian Maritime Heritage At Risk Program, the Inverloch community has a strong sense of custodianship for this important Amazon shipwreck. The Inverloch Surf Life Saving Club continues to provide regular reports on its condition, while local volunteer group, Amazon 1863 Project, monitors the site.