While the great oceans swallowed thousands of ships without trace, the ultimate graveyard for those bound for Melbourne was the rugged coastline of south western Victoria.
Here, windjammers, steamers, coastal traders, fishing boats and pleasure craft left their bones, victims of diabolical gales, mountainous seas, subtle currents, fogs, and sometimes carelessness of their master and crew.
Once ashore, few remained intact for long, but while they did they drew crowns of wreckers and curious sightseers.
The splendid wooden ship 'Eric the Red' was in the final hours of her voyage from New York to Melbourne when she struck the Otway Reef in the early hours of 4 September 1880, and became indelibly recorded in Victorian maritime history.
Contents:
1. Foreword
2. Marvellous Melbourne
3. The Ship
4. Total Loss of 'Eric the Red' (Argus, 6 September)
- Rescue by the 'Dawn'
- Captain Allen's Statement
- Statement by Second Mate
- The Wreckage
- Hospitality to the Wrecked
- Search by the 'Pharos'
5. The Wreck of 'Eric the Red' (Argus, 7 September)
- The Captain's Statement
- The American Losses
6. Wreck of the 'Eric the Red' (Argus, 8 September)
7. Subsequent Reports
- 11 September
- 13 September
- 14 September
8. Spoils
9. Appendices
- Appendix A: Public Comment on the Wreck
- Appendix B: Precautions Against Further Wrecks
- Appendix C: The Search for 'Eric'
- Appendix D: Relics
- Appendix E: Sundries
- Appendix F: Ships Mentioned
- Appendix G: Captain Allen
