ROVER

Location

Blanket Bay, Cape Otway

VHR Number

S587

Date lost

06/01/1892

Statement of Significance

The remains of the Rover have not yet been reported nor located, and therefore it is impossible to assess its archaeological significance. However it has some historical significance as the remains of a typical small coastal trader ie: representative of a particular type, and as evidence of the difficulties of early trade and supply to the Otway coast.

Physical Description

Construction Material Wood

Rig Cutter

Propulsion Sail

Number of Masts 1

Length / Breadth / Depth 0.0 Feet / 0.0 Feet / 0.0 Feet

History

Registration Port / Country Melbourne? /

Details
Mounted-constable Peyton gave a full report to the superintendent of police of the total wreck of the cutter Rover at Blanket Bay on 6 January 1892. The vessel arrived at Blanket Bay at 5 pm on 6 January from Melbourne with a cargo mostly for Mr Reynold Robinson, proprietor of Glen Aire station at Cape Otway. During the night a gale sprang up and the vessel was driven ashore onto the rocks at Blanket Bay. The passengers reached the land with difficulty, while the crew remained with the vessel until they were compelled to abandon her (GA 13/1/1892). Part of the cargo was unloaded and transhipped to Apollo Bay the next day by the cutter Florence, with the remainder stored in the government goods shed (at Blanket Bay?). After unloading the cargo an attempt was made to tow the Rover off the rocks the next day, but this was unsuccessful. The cutter became a total wreck (Argus 12/1/1892). The risks of using Blanket Bay were made even more tragically evident four years later, when three men from the government steamer SS Lady Loch were drowned while trying to land supplies for the lighthouse (Bellair: 26). The remains of the Rover have not yet been located nor reported.

Voyage Details

Date Lost 06/01/1892

Voyage from Melbourne to Blanket Bay

Cargo
Stores for Glenaire Station and cargo for Apollo Bay

Master of Vessel Henry Jeffrey

Weather conditions
Gale

Cause of Loss
Blew onto rocks

Further Details

Number of Passengers 0

Comments on Passenger
Mr Robert Formby and Mr Robinson

Number of Crew Members 0

Comments on Crew Members
Daniel Cunningham

Physical Description
Construction Material	Wood
Rig	Cutter
Propulsion	Sail
Number of Masts	1
Length / Breadth / Depth	0.0 Feet / 0.0 Feet / 0.0 Feet

Registration Port / Country	Melbourne? /
Details	Mounted-constable Peyton gave a full report to the superintendent of police of the total wreck of the cutter Rover at Blanket Bay on 6 January 1892. The vessel arrived at Blanket Bay at 5 pm on 6 January from Melbourne with a cargo mostly for Mr Reynold Robinson, proprietor of Glen Aire station at Cape Otway. During the night a gale sprang up and the vessel was driven ashore onto the rocks at Blanket Bay. The passengers reached the land with difficulty, while the crew remained with the vessel until they were compelled to abandon her (GA 13/1/1892). Part of the cargo was unloaded and transhipped to Apollo Bay the next day by the cutter Florence, with the remainder stored in the government goods shed (at Blanket Bay?). After unloading the cargo an attempt was made to tow the Rover off the rocks the next day, but this was unsuccessful. The cutter became a total wreck (Argus 12/1/1892). The risks of using Blanket Bay were made even more tragically evident four years later, when three men from the government steamer SS Lady Loch were drowned while trying to land supplies for the lighthouse (Bellair: 26). The remains of the Rover have not yet been located nor reported.


Date Lost	06/01/1892
Voyage	from Melbourne to Blanket Bay
Cargo	Stores for Glenaire Station and cargo for Apollo Bay
Master of Vessel	Henry Jeffrey
Weather conditions	Gale
Cause of Loss	Blew onto rocks

Number of Passengers	0
Comments on Passenger	Mr Robert Formby and Mr Robinson
Number of Crew Members	0
Comments on Crew Members	Daniel Cunningham

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