But not for long! The captain was not aware of the current
that had taken hold of his ship. The night had been reasonably
calm, but a nasty misty rain had fallen consistently, combined
with a moderate southwest wind.
Suddenly things went seriously wrong and the Inverlochy was
in peril. All hands were called to duty, but she missed stays
and lost steerage. The anchors were thrown out but could not
take hold, and the Inverlochy went onto the reef.
The mate, James Stewart, estimated their position was off
Eagles Nest at Split Point, Aireys Inlet. However she was
wedged between the two shelves of rock that form Ingoldsby
Reef at Anglesea.
She was imprisoned with all sails set and this caused fears
that the masts could snap. So without delay the longboat and
the lifeboat were lowered. Eleven crew members, plus Captain
and Mrs. Kendrick took refuge in the longboat, whilst the
mate, Mr. Stewart, took charge of the other ten men in the
lifeboat.
The longboat did not pull for the shore only three quarters
of a mile away, but proceeded to the east. This spread speculation
throughout Anglesea that maybe the Split Point Light was mistaken
for Pt Lonsdale, and the little boat was expecting to beach
at Pt Lonsdale or even Queenscliff. |
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