The Geltwood, making way from Liverpool to Melbourne sunk on its maiden voyage south of Southend, South East, South Australia.
Cargo had washed up, including a couple of bodies. Locals looted the cargo, and never reported the maritime disaster to authorities. They were finally caught up with and at trial, managed to get off by declaring they did not know it was a crime not to report such an occurrence.
It is reported that some cargo was salvaged and sold to auctioneers, however, a great deal of cargo still remains over the wreck site. Particularly roles of wire and slate for roofing.
The wreck was first reported in December, 1980, by Lance Chambers a fisherman who came to be over the wreck, however, the first known dive on the wreck was by local professional fisherman and Abalone diver Mick Galpin in 1982. Whilst he knew the wreck was in the area, it came to realisation that he was on it when pulling an Abalone not of rock, but of glass in a porthole.
A handful of divers have been over the wreck a number of times, including Mick’s son in-law Brian who surveyed it many years ago.
Some 15 years had passed since it was last dived, and information, including coordinates were lost over time. Whilst a number of people knew the vicinity of the wreck, it became difficult, due to fading memories and shifting land-marks.
In this video you will see an overview of the wreck.You will see what look like cart wheels, but are actually fly-wheels for a portable steam engine or water pump. Towards the end of the video, you will see one of the bow anchors sitting on the seaward side of the wreck.
If you are visiting the South East of South Australia, take the time to visit Millicent Museum, where you can see the other Bow Anchor, now preserved.
If you are down at Southend, you can also see another anchor raised from the Geltwood. This anchor is dedicated to the professional and amateur fisherman who have lost their lives to the sea.
Mick Galpin, along with his deck hand, lost their lives when heading out to sea from their home port of Southend.
This video, is dedicated to Mick. I want to thank his family, particularly his daughter Catherine, Son in law Brian, and their family for the assistance, passion and persistence in assisting to relocate the Geltwood. 3rd time lucky.
This is the first recorded video footage of the Geltwood.
I also would like to apologize to the people of Southend, as in the video I note I have spelled Southend as if two words, and not one word as it is correctly spelled.
I hope you enjoy it.
Music: Kevin Macleod – incomptech.com – Moonstone
Yes, the music suits this, well done.