Description |
iv, 176 pages : illustrations (some colour), facsimiles (some colour), 1 map, portraits (some colour) ; 30 cm |
Summary |
“The grounding of the Fiji near Moonlight Head in 1891 was no regular shipping disaster. What followed had more remarkable components than most shipwreck stories in fiction. A wounded, near-naked and incoherent German sailor lost in the scrub, meeting horse riders on nearby cliffs by sheer chance. A severely compromised rescue attempt using a shore-to-ship line. A spontaneous act by a brave onlooker from the beach. The district’s humanitarian efforts to assist and comfort survivors. The very complicated recovery of bodies, ahead of a basic funeral on a windy cliff top, not at the nearest cemetery. Valiant attempts to protect cargo washed ashore from the thieves known as “smugglers”. Wild allegations of drunken and extreme behaviour by many finders of some of the liquid loot. The physical assault of an official on the trail of looters. A colourful court appearance and conviction for the thieves. Multiple fund-raising events to assist those who survived and the families of the victims in far distant Europe. The Captain loses his Master certificate for 12 months. To these elements are added the erection in 1892 of a fine memorial handsome in tribute on the cliff-top, and a creative display of a small relic anchor on the beach, eight decades after the disaster. This is the consolidated story of all these elements, some being individual mysteries within the total Fiji saga, and recognises the extraordinary courage in the rescue efforts, and the many contributions to revive and comfort the fortunate. The book also warmly honours the spontaneous, brave initiative of a young district newcomer, born and raised at Geelong. The name of Arthur Wilkinson will be forever linked to this most dramatic and highly significant event in the maritime history of Australia.”--Back cover |
Analysis |
Australian |
Notes |
Text and colour illustrations on end papers |
Subject |
Wilkinson, Arthur
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Fiji (Ship)
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Shipwrecks -- Victoria -- Moonlight Head -- History -- 1851-1891
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Rescues -- Victoria -- Moonlight Head -- History -- 1851-1891
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Shipwreck victims -- Victoria -- Moonlight Head -- Biography
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Shipwrecks -- Victoria -- Moonlight Head
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SUBJECT |
Moonlight Head (Vic.) -- History -- 1851-1891
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Genre/Form |
Biographies.
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ISBN |
9780646597850 |
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