|
The Loch Ard Gorge is an infamous landmark on the Great Ocean
Road, not far from the Twelve Apostles. In 1878 an iron clipper,
The Loch Ard , was driven into the sheer cliff walls of the
Gorge during one of the frequent storms that affect the Southern
Ocean. Of the fifty-three people on board only two, both teenagers,
survived... apprentice crewman Tom Pearce and passenger Eva
Carmichael, both eighteen.
According to Tom's account, the ship was making its way through
the weather when it was discovered they were off course were
about to crash into the cliffs. Captain Gibb ordered the anchors
dropped in an effort to slow the boat, but this failed and
the ship hit the rocky coastline and rolled, taking water
on both sides. Tom and five others struggled to get a lifeboat
free of the now tangled lines, an managed to get it along
side the ship, but a huge wave swept them away. Tom was eventually
washed into the Gorge and landed on the small sandy beach
that was the only gap in the cliff line.
Eva was also lucky to survive. Swept off the rapidly sinking
deck she managed to stay afloat by holding onto a chicken
coop. She made it half way into shore before Tom noticed here
and herocially dove back into the boiling seas, eventually
pulling her to safety. They crawled up the beach to a cave
where they consumed a bottle of brandy from a box washed up
from the wreck, then 'collapsed into insensibillity.'
Below is another famous Ocean Road landmark, The London Bridge.
On a school trip many years ago our entire class crossed the
bridge. We asked our tour guide if it was safe, if London
Bridge would ever 'Fall Down'! He replied that if it wasn't
safe they wouldn't allow tourists to cross it. A few years
later the middle span did collapse, trapping two people on
the far side, who were rescued by helicopter.
|
