Wrecks and Reputations: The Loss of the Schomberg and Loch Ard

Two Shipwrecks – within 20 miles of one another on Victoria’s ‘Shipwreck Coast’, but 23 years apart – both with gripping stories to tell…

The Schomberg – ‘the noblest ship that ever floated upon the water’ – was lost onher maiden voyage to Melbourne in 1855. Despite the survival of all passengers and crew, the ship’s loss ruined the reputation of her famous captain, ‘Bully’ Forbes.

The Loch Ard – its story boith tragic and heroic – was lost in 1878. There were only two survivors – 18yr old passenger Eva Carmichael and her saviour, ship’s apprentice Tom Pearce, also 18.

Don Charlwood, descendent of a Schomberg passenger passenger, brings together the stories of the two shipwrecks and their aftermath in a compelling and highly readable account of the colonial era of immigration by sail.

‘Good reading, well written and indexed, excellently illustrated and thoroughly researched.’ – Victorian Historical Journal, Royal Historical Society of Victoria. pp. 194 illusts #0419