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 Geltwood by J. Witham | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | Geltwood |
| Owner | John Sprott ofHarrington U.K[1] |
| Port of registry | Workington, Cumberland U.K[1] |
| Route | Liverpool - Melbourne[1] |
| Builder | R.Williamson & Sons shipyard atHarrington[1] |
| Launched | 18 January 1876[1] |
| Maiden voyage | 23 March 1876[1] |
| Out of service | 1876 |
| Fate | Wrecked off the south east of South Australia 14 June 1876[1] |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Iron Barque |
| Tonnage | 1056 tons(Net) |
| Length | 215.5 ft (65.7 m)[1] |
| Beam | 33.78 ft (10.30 m)[1] |
| Draft | 6.4 m (21 ft) |
| Depth | 220.99 ft (67.36 m)[1] |
| Sail plan | 3 masts[1] |
| Crew | 28[1] |
Geltwood was an iron-hulledbarque that was shipwrecked on or about 14 June 1876 during a storm on a remote stretch of the south east coast ofSouth Australia. Nearing the completion of her maiden voyage fromLiverpool bound forMelbourne the ship struck a reef, capsized and broke up. The wreck37°37′36″S140°10′51″E / 37.62667°S 140.18083°E /-37.62667; 140.18083 occurred 1.6 km from shore near the northern end ofLake Bonney and 16 km south-east of Southend.
Of the 31 passengers and crew there were no survivors. It wasn't until 5 July that the fate of the ship became known to authorities.
The events surroundingGeltwood are made infamous by reports of looting by some locals. The wreck was not reported to the police for two weeks, and in that time a number of people stole equipment and belongings that were washed ashore. A trial was held inMillicent which resulted in the acquittal of two men on the grounds they didn't know looting a shipwreck was a crime.
One of theGeltwood anchors can be viewed inSouthend at a lookout on Cape Buffon drive. It is a memorial to those who have perished at sea, including local amateur and professional fishermen who have lost their lives at sea.
Another anchor and memorabilia can be viewed at the Millicent Living History Museum. SomeGeltwood artifacts are also displayed in theBeachport museum.
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