| CLASSIC DIVE BOOKS
The 'Loch Ard'.
Please note: The books are listed for interest only, and not offered for sale. Books are listed in chronological order of publication.
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HOMEPAGE |
| NARRATIVE OF THE WRECK
OF THE LOCH ARD AT CAPE MOONLIGHT, VICTORIA, 1878.
See above for comment. |
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A NARRATIVE OF THE WRECK
OF THE SHIP LOCH ARD NEAR THE SHERBROOK RIVER, EAST OF WARRNAMBOOL, ON
THE MORNING OF THE 1 ST JUNE 1878.
Compiled by Richard Bennett. Originally published in 1890. Facsimile edition published by Murray Simper, Warrnambool, 1995. Small stapled card cover booklet of 24 pages. From the Foreward by the publisher: "This book, 'A Narrative of the Wreck of The Ship Loch Ard near The Sherbrook River East of Warrnambool, on the the Morning of the 1st June, 1878' - compiled by Richard Bennett 1890, is the second book published about The Loch Ard, the first being published in 1878, which is a companion volume to this. The now very rare original book was compiled from authentic records published in The Warrnambool Standard June 1878. This facsimile edition is reproduced in its original format from a copy of the original. This book and its companion volume, 'Narrative of the Wreck Of The Loch Ard at Cape Moonlight, Victoria 1878', are now reprinted for the first time." Now I am sure that Mr Simper knew what he meant to say but I am a wee bit confused. I think that the 1878 book(let) has also been reproduced as a separate facsimile. It is interesting to read such contemporary accounts, but from the perspwective of gaining knowledge about the wreck, I have no doubt that Don Charlwood and Jack Loney, amongst others, would have haad access to the original documents and used the material accordingly. The ortiginal publications would be most collectable, but the facsimiles are of use as amusing reading only. Once again we must be grateful for those who take the time and effort to reproduce early publications. [ps-f] |
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SHIPWRECKS
AND MORE SHIPWRECKS. Margaret E. MacKenzie
First edition published in 1954 as ‘Shipwrecks': paperback, loose dust-jacket type cover on thin board. Published by The National Press Pty Ltd, Melbourne. Eighty-five pages, a few mono prints. Seconmd edition published also as Shipwrecks, in hardcover, with dustjacket. Fourth edition enlarged to this title, 1974. Published by MacKenzie, Peterborough, Victoria. Hardcover, dustjacket, 190 pages, several mono plates, charts. This is a remarkable book for several reasons. Firstly, the book is actually written by Jean MacKenzie, daughter of Margaret MacKenzie. The explanation is simple, as noted in the introduction - Margaret was blind for the last twelve years of her life, so Jean wrote down her mother's stories. Margaret came to Peterborough in 1873, so she had intimiate knowledge of the wrecks of the Young Australia, Falls f Halladale, Schomberg, Loch Ard, Newfield and several others wrecked along the western Victoria coast. These are first-hand accounts, rich in annecdote and historical value. The historic data, particularly in terms of dates, is sometimes inaccurate. The strengh of the book is its contemporary descriptions of events. I had the pleasure of meeting Jean MacKenzie many years ago, in Peterborough, and found her to be a remarkable lady. Images:
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WRECKS AND
REPUTATIONS
Don Charlwood. First published by Angus and Robertson, Australia, 1977. ISBN (hard) 0 207 13065 5; (soft) 0 207 13547 9. Cover is of softcover edition 1978. [ps] Softcover, stiff boards, 190 pages, index, mono prints. The western entrance to Bass Strait was notorious for bringing to a premature end many ships, passengers and crew after crossing the Indian and Southern Oceans on their way from England to Port Phillip. An attempt at threading the narrow pass between King Island and Cape Otway was fraught with danger, requiring astute seamanship and a hell of a lot of luck. The western coastline of Victoria (Australia) is dotted with tragedy. The author explains why this is so, and covers in detail the wreck of the Loch Ard, Schomberg, Marco Polo and Lightning, all of which have been subsequently located and dived.This is the 1988 second edition of the book initially published in 1977. An excellent book. [ps] |
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REPORT OF
THE LOCH ARD CENTENARY COMMEMORATION COMMITTEE
Published by the committee in November 1978. A4 sheets, card cover, side-stapled, about 60 pages, a couple of mono images. The report was written and presented after the commemmorative ceremony at the Loch Ard Gorge on the anniversary of the vessel's loss. The report contains a five-page report of the raising of the Loch Ard anchor (one of the kedging anchors) that is now on display at the information centre at Port Campbell. |
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