SS GLENELG

Location

Bass Strait, near Lakes Entrance

VHR Number

S291

Date lost

25/03/1900

Year of construction

1875

Official number

70695

Statement of Significance

SS Glenelg is historically significant as one of the worst maritime disasters in Victorian history, with the deaths of at least 38 people and only three survivors. The wreck has the potential for archaeological significance with some of the hull preserved under the sand. These remains may provide unknown technical detail of iron shipbuilding, details of the refit the vessel underwent in 1898 and information pertaining to life on board a typical cargo/passenger vessel at the turn of the century. SS Glenelg is representative of the fleet of small iron steamers on the small country trading routes around Australia.

SIGNIFICANCE CRITERIA

Significance assessed against criteria defined in Guidelines for the Management of Australia's Shipwrecks (1994).

CRITERION 1: HISTORIC

SS Glenelg has historic significance as one of the worst maritime disasters in Victoria?s history.

CRITERION 2: TECHNICAL

SS Glenelg may demonstrate technical significance in iron shipbuilding. Iron shipbuilders are known to have deviated off ships plans and, in addition, SS Glenelg was known to have had a refit in 1898 when sold to J.B. Ellerker.

CRITERION 3: SOCIAL

SS Glenelg has social significance as many of the relatives of those that died are still alive. The wrecking of the Glenelg is also one of the worst maritime disasters in Victoria.

CRITERION 4: ARCHAEOLOGICAL

Despite its isolated location, the archaeological remains have the potential to tell the story of shipboard life on a passenger/cargo steamer at the turn of the century. The hull rests on a sandy seafloor and if the hull becomes uncovered, there is the potential to explain the cause of the wreck.

CRITERION 5: SCIENTIFIC

SS Glenelg is not currently the subject of any scientific studies. However, as a part of the iron ship resource in Victoria, the wreck could contribute information to the ongoing national and international corrosion measurement studies.

CRITERION 6: INTERPRETIVE

There is a monument commemorating the wreck and those who died at Lakes Entrance. SS Glenelg is not currently the subject of any shipwreck interpretation. However, there is significant potential to interpret the story of the wreck and subsequent looting to raise community awareness.

CRITERION 7: RARE

SS Glenelg is a rare example in Victoria of a maritime disaster on such a large scale.

CRITERION 8: REPRESENTATIVE

SS Glenelg is representative of the fleet of smaller iron ships that transported cargo and passengers around the coastline of Australia towards the end of the 19th century. The wreck is also representative of the disaster that befell many such ships in treacherous seas and heavy winds.

*There is a 1000m diameter Protected Zone around Glenelg centred on position -38 33' 09" S 147 12' 27" E WGS84. No entry is permitted unless a Permit has been authorised by Heritage Victoria. *

Physical Description

Construction Material Iron

Rig Schooner

Hull Details One deck, rigged as fore and aft schooner. Clincher built, round stern,straight stem.

Propulsion Steam - Screw

Engine Specification Rait & Amp; Lindsay

Engine Builder 2 compound steam engines totaling 85 horsepower fired through a single coal fired boiler.

Number of Masts 2

Length / Breadth / Depth 135.8 Feet / 21.1 Feet / 11.3 Feet

History

Builder Aitken and Mansel

Built Date 1875

Built Port / Country Whiteinch, Glasgow / Scotland

Registration Number 7 of 1898

Registration Port / Country Melbourne / Australia

Former Details of Registration List of previous owners: 1875 Elder, Smith & Co, Port Adelaide. 1881William Wells, Port Adelaide. 1882 Thomas Hessleton, Sydney. 1882 PortJackson Steamship Co Ltd, Sydney. 1891 E T Miles & Partners, Hobart.1892 T A Reynolds & Co, Hobart. 1896 Union Steamship Co of NewZealand Ltd, Dunedin. Current owners: 1898 J.B & A.J Ellerker, G.Carpenter & C. H. Jackson, Melbourne

Details
SS Glenelg was one of the worst maritime disasters in Victoria where at least 38 people lost their lives and only three survived. The Scottish-built Glenelg was a small iron steamer that had carried cargo and passengers on various routes around Australia since 1875. The ship had been a Sydney Harbour ferry and had also transported many copper miners between Melbourne and Strachan during the heady days of the Tasmanian copper mining ventures of the 1880s. Glenelg was sold to JB Ellerker in 1898, the passenger and cargo areas were fitted out, and the ship was put on the Lakes Entrance to Melbourne run. On the night of 25 March 1900, SS Glenelg had just picked up its final load at Cunninghame (Lakes Enrance) and headed for Melbourne. A heavy south west gale and thunderstorm hit the vessel not long after departure. Despite attempts by the crew to bail out the ship, Captain English was forced to abandon the vessel early the next morning. Three crew members launched the first lifeboat, but other passengers and crew had difficulty as this lifeboat was on the rough side of the wreck. The second life boat was eventually launched over the other side and the majority of passengers and crew were in it. The captain, his first mate and the chief engineer all went down with the ship. The crew in the first lifeboat tried to reach and help the second boat but were separated in the heavy seas and the second boat was never seen again. The three crew men drifted for two days before eventually coming ashore at Marlo. Over the next few weeks, bodies were washed up along 90 mile beach some unrecognisable and some were never accounted for. Despite extensive sea searches, the wreck of the Glenelg disappeared for over 100 years. The drawn out marine inquiry held after the wrecking could not find enough evidence to lay blame on anything in particular for the wreck, despite accusations during the trial of poor maintenance and leaky hull plating. The final resting place of the SS Glenelg was finally located by Southern Ocean Exploration (SOE) on 29 June 2009. After two years of historical research, the group managed to find the wreck on only the second attempt over the site. Heritage Victoria provided a permit for a ceramic plate to be raised to assist in positively identifying the wreck. This plate was stamped with the logo of the Tasmanian Steam Navigation Company (TSNC). While the TSNC had never owned the Glenelg, the Union Steam Ship Company had and this company had purchased the TSNC in 1891. Crockery from the TSNC had more than likely been distributed across the entire fleet. Unfortunately, in February 2011, Southern Ocean Exploration reported more than 150 items, including cutlery, crockery and glass bottles had been illegally removed from the wreck site. A 500m protected zone was declared around the wreck of the SS Glenelg by the Commonwealth government on 24 February 2011. This protected zone now cannot be entered without a permit. Heritage Victoria actively monitors the site for any further signs of disturbance.

Uses of Vessel

Primary Use Services

Secondary Use Passenger - Coastal

Voyage Details

Date Lost 25/03/1900

Voyage from Lakes Entrance to Melbourne

Cargo
Cargo comprised about 30 tons of bark, hides, tallow, sheep skins, maize, machinery and furniture, together with four piles that were 36 feet long. Most of the cargo was from Bairnsdale but some was picked up in other ports. It was a relatively light load.

Owner J.B. Ellerker and Albert John Ellerker.

Master of Vessel T. H. English

Weather conditions
Passing through the Entrance, Glenelg encountered a stiff breeze but within half an hour a heavy thunderstorm hit the vessel with gale force winds from the south west that lasted all night. Early on Sunday morning was the height of the storm and the Glenelg, now about 40 miles from Lakes Entrance, was right in the middle of it. It was at this point the vessel was abandoned.

Cause of Loss
Foundered suddenly, thought to be caused by loose plate causing damage at stern. Court of Marine Inquiry could not pin point a reason for the sinking.

Further Details

Number of Passengers 24

Comments on Passenger
Mr. & Mrs Hyatt, of Ballarat Mr. Barker & Miss Barker Miss Bean Mr. Hand Mr. G.P. Scott Mr. H.B. Holland Miss H. M. Anderson Mr. R. Weir Mrs. (Miss) Moran Mr. & Mrs. Cowell Mr. John Holoway Griffiths (ass. printer at the Age) Mrs. Martha Amy Griffiths Albert (8) & Ethel Griffiths (12) Mr. R. Scott Mr. W.G. Scott Mr. R. Palmer Mrs. Lynch & child Mr. J. Lillicrap Mr. Stephens Miss Lily Stephens

Number of Crew Members 15

Comments on Crew Members
Chief Officer - John Burke Chief Engineer - D. Fyffe 2nd Engineer - Arthur Moulden Fireman - T. Hatfield Fireman - Con. Williams Fireman - M. Williams Steward - W. Tomlinson Stewardess - Mrs. Boyd Boatswain - H. Lapthorne Able seaman - Peter Benson Able seaman - Charles Evans Seaman - George Wright *Seaman - Alexander Lamb *Cook - Valentine Bundy *Under-steward - Ernest Thorne **Alfred Richardson ** James (Albert) Waters *survivors **possibly onboard but unconfirmed

Physical Description
Construction Material	Iron
Rig	Schooner
Hull Details	One deck, rigged as fore and aft schooner. Clincher built, round stern,straight stem.
Propulsion	Steam - Screw
Engine Specification	Rait & Amp; Lindsay
Engine Builder	2 compound steam engines totaling 85 horsepower fired through a single coal fired boiler.
Number of Masts	2
Length / Breadth / Depth	135.8 Feet / 21.1 Feet / 11.3 Feet

Builder	Aitken and Mansel
Built Date	1875
Built Port / Country	Whiteinch, Glasgow / Scotland
Registration Number	7 of 1898
Registration Port / Country	Melbourne / Australia
Former Details of Registration	List of previous owners: 1875 Elder, Smith & Co, Port Adelaide. 1881William Wells, Port Adelaide. 1882 Thomas Hessleton, Sydney. 1882 PortJackson Steamship Co Ltd, Sydney. 1891 E T Miles & Partners, Hobart.1892 T A Reynolds & Co, Hobart. 1896 Union Steamship Co of NewZealand Ltd, Dunedin. Current owners: 1898 J.B & A.J Ellerker, G.Carpenter & C. H. Jackson, Melbourne
Details	SS Glenelg was one of the worst maritime disasters in Victoria where at least 38 people lost their lives and only three survived. The Scottish-built Glenelg was a small iron steamer that had carried cargo and passengers on various routes around Australia since 1875. The ship had been a Sydney Harbour ferry and had also transported many copper miners between Melbourne and Strachan during the heady days of the Tasmanian copper mining ventures of the 1880s. Glenelg was sold to JB Ellerker in 1898, the passenger and cargo areas were fitted out, and the ship was put on the Lakes Entrance to Melbourne run. On the night of 25 March 1900, SS Glenelg had just picked up its final load at Cunninghame (Lakes Enrance) and headed for Melbourne. A heavy south west gale and thunderstorm hit the vessel not long after departure. Despite attempts by the crew to bail out the ship, Captain English was forced to abandon the vessel early the next morning. Three crew members launched the first lifeboat, but other passengers and crew had difficulty as this lifeboat was on the rough side of the wreck. The second life boat was eventually launched over the other side and the majority of passengers and crew were in it. The captain, his first mate and the chief engineer all went down with the ship. The crew in the first lifeboat tried to reach and help the second boat but were separated in the heavy seas and the second boat was never seen again. The three crew men drifted for two days before eventually coming ashore at Marlo. Over the next few weeks, bodies were washed up along 90 mile beach some unrecognisable and some were never accounted for. Despite extensive sea searches, the wreck of the Glenelg disappeared for over 100 years. The drawn out marine inquiry held after the wrecking could not find enough evidence to lay blame on anything in particular for the wreck, despite accusations during the trial of poor maintenance and leaky hull plating. The final resting place of the SS Glenelg was finally located by Southern Ocean Exploration (SOE) on 29 June 2009. After two years of historical research, the group managed to find the wreck on only the second attempt over the site. Heritage Victoria provided a permit for a ceramic plate to be raised to assist in positively identifying the wreck. This plate was stamped with the logo of the Tasmanian Steam Navigation Company (TSNC). While the TSNC had never owned the Glenelg, the Union Steam Ship Company had and this company had purchased the TSNC in 1891. Crockery from the TSNC had more than likely been distributed across the entire fleet. Unfortunately, in February 2011, Southern Ocean Exploration reported more than 150 items, including cutlery, crockery and glass bottles had been illegally removed from the wreck site. A 500m protected zone was declared around the wreck of the SS Glenelg by the Commonwealth government on 24 February 2011. This protected zone now cannot be entered without a permit. Heritage Victoria actively monitors the site for any further signs of disturbance.

Primary Use	Services
Secondary Use	Passenger - Coastal

Date Lost	25/03/1900
Voyage	from Lakes Entrance to Melbourne
Cargo	Cargo comprised about 30 tons of bark, hides, tallow, sheep skins, maize, machinery and furniture, together with four piles that were 36 feet long. Most of the cargo was from Bairnsdale but some was picked up in other ports. It was a relatively light load.
Owner	J.B. Ellerker and Albert John Ellerker.
Master of Vessel	T. H. English
Weather conditions	Passing through the Entrance, Glenelg encountered a stiff breeze but within half an hour a heavy thunderstorm hit the vessel with gale force winds from the south west that lasted all night. Early on Sunday morning was the height of the storm and the Glenelg, now about 40 miles from Lakes Entrance, was right in the middle of it. It was at this point the vessel was abandoned.
Cause of Loss	Foundered suddenly, thought to be caused by loose plate causing damage at stern. Court of Marine Inquiry could not pin point a reason for the sinking.

Number of Passengers	24
Comments on Passenger	Mr. & Mrs Hyatt, of Ballarat Mr. Barker & Miss Barker Miss Bean Mr. Hand Mr. G.P. Scott Mr. H.B. Holland Miss H. M. Anderson Mr. R. Weir Mrs. (Miss) Moran Mr. & Mrs. Cowell Mr. John Holoway Griffiths (ass. printer at the Age) Mrs. Martha Amy Griffiths Albert (8) & Ethel Griffiths (12) Mr. R. Scott Mr. W.G. Scott Mr. R. Palmer Mrs. Lynch & child Mr. J. Lillicrap Mr. Stephens Miss Lily Stephens
Number of Crew Members	15
Comments on Crew Members	Chief Officer - John Burke Chief Engineer - D. Fyffe 2nd Engineer - Arthur Moulden Fireman - T. Hatfield Fireman - Con. Williams Fireman - M. Williams Steward - W. Tomlinson Stewardess - Mrs. Boyd Boatswain - H. Lapthorne Able seaman - Peter Benson Able seaman - Charles Evans Seaman - George Wright Seaman - Alexander Lamb Cook - Valentine Bundy Under-steward - Ernest Thorne Alfred Richardson * James (Albert) Waters survivors *possibly onboard but unconfirmed

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