Sketches at The Scene of The Wreck.

Scarce c.19th engraving with a number of insets, of the wreck of the Loch Ard shipwreck near Sherbrook River.

The Loch Ard left Gravesend, Kent on 1 March 1878, bound for Melbourne, commanded by Captain George Gibb and with a crew of 36 men and 18 passengers, a total of 54 people. She was loaded with a general mixed cargo weighing 2275 tons. On 1 June she was approaching Melbourne. The crew expected to sight land but encountered heavy mist. The inquest determined that, unable to see the Cape Otway lighthouse; having faulty chronometers on board; and not having been able to take a reading to establish his exact position due to bad weather conditions over the previous few days, Captain Gibb was unaware how close he was running to the coast. The mist lifted around 4am, revealing breakers and cliff faces. The lookout called “breakers ahead!” Capt Gibb quickly ordered sail to be set to wear ship and get clear of the coast, but they were unable to do so in time, and ran aground on a reef. The masts and rigging came down, killing some people on deck and preventing the lifeboats from being launched effectively. The ship sank within 10 or 15 minutes of striking the reef.

Inset titles;
1.- The Rescue of Miss Carmichael.
2.- Assisting Miss Carmichael Up The Cliffs.
3.- Position of The Wreck.
4.- Graves of The Lost.
5. Mr Gibson’s Residence, Glenample.
Portrait of Miss Carmichael (Left)
Chart of The Coast (Centre)
Portrait of Mr. Thomas Pearce. (Right)

From the original edition of the Illustrated Australian News. 

Collections:
University Queensland: Identifier 991000982479703131
State Library Victoria: PCINF IAN 04-09-76 P.133
National Library Australia: Bib ID 2495305
State Library New South Wales: CALL NUMBERS F079/55, TN380
Royal Geographic Society SA: RGS Special Coll. 079.94 I29d

References:
Syme, E. & D, Illustrated Australian News. ISSN 2208-5386.