Geltwood

{{more footnotes|date=October 2016}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}} {{Use British English|date=July 2011}} {{Infobox ship |section1={{Infobox ship/image |image=Geltwood.jpg |image_caption= ''Geltwood'' by J. Witham }}

|section2={{Infobox ship/career |hide_header= |country= United Kingdom |flag= 100x35px|British Merchant Navy Ensign |name= ''Geltwood'' |owner= John Sprott of Harrington U.K<ref name="ANSD">{{cite web |title=View Shipwreck - Geltwood |url=https://dmzapp17p.ris.environment.gov.au/shipwreck/public/wreck/wreck.do?key=5381 |website=Australian National Shipwreck Database |publisher=Australian government |accessdate=29 August 2018 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> |operator= |registry= Workington, Cumberland U.K<ref name="ANSD"/> |route= Liverpool - Melbourne<ref name="ANSD"/> |ordered= |builder=R.Williamson & Sons shipyard at Harrington<ref name="ANSD"/> |original_cost= |yard_number= |way_number= |laid_down= |launched=18 January 1876<ref name="ANSD"/> |completed= |christened= |acquired= |maiden_voyage=23 March 1876<ref name="ANSD"/> |in_service= |out_of_service=1876 |identification= |fate= Wrecked off the south east of South Australia 14 June 1876<ref name="ANSD"/> |notes= }}

|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics |hide_header= |header_caption= |class= Iron Barque |tonnage=1056 tons(Net) |displacement= |length={{convert|215.5|ft|m|abbr=on}} <ref name="ANSD"/> |beam={{convert|33.78|ft|m|abbr=on}} <ref name="ANSD"/> |height= |draught= |draft= {{convert|6.4|m|abbr=on}} |depth={{convert|220.99|ft|m|abbr=on}} <ref name="ANSD"/> |decks= |deck_clearance= |ramps= |ice_class= |sail_plan= 3 masts<ref name="ANSD"/> |power= |propulsion= |speed= |capacity= |crew=28<ref name="ANSD"/> |notes= }} }}

'''''Geltwood''''' was an iron-hulled barque that was shipwrecked on or about 14 June 1876 during a storm on a remote stretch of the south east coast of South Australia. Nearing the completion of her maiden voyage from Liverpool bound for Melbourne the ship struck a reef, capsized and broke up. The wreck {{coord|37|37|36|S|140|10|51|E|type:landmark_region:AU|display=inline,title}} occurred 1.6 km from shore near the northern end of Lake Bonney and 16 km south-east of Southend.

Of the 31 passengers and crew there were no survivors. It wasn't until 5 July that the fate of the ship became known to authorities.

==Looters==

The events surrounding ''Geltwood'' are made infamous by reports of looting by some locals. The wreck was not reported to the police for two weeks, and in that time a number of people stole equipment and belongings that were washed ashore. A trial was held in Millicent which resulted in the acquittal of two men on the grounds they didn't know looting a shipwreck was a crime.

==Relics==

One of the ''Geltwood'' anchors can be viewed in Southend at a lookout on Cape Buffon drive. It is a memorial to those who have perished at sea, including local amateur and professional fishermen who have lost their lives at sea.

Another anchor and memorabilia can be viewed at the Millicent Living History Museum. Some ''Geltwood'' artifacts are also displayed in the Beachport museum.

==See also== *List of shipwrecks of Australia

==References== {{reflist}} *''A Shipwreck at Rivoli Bay; Geltwood 1876'' at http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/files/4b881c43-c246-4874-8cfb-9e2900d033a0/geltwood.pdf, Retrieved 23 May 2012. *'Geltwood, a brief history of a Harrington barque wrecked on her maiden voyage on ''"Through Mighty Seas: A Maritime History"'' at http://www.mightyseas.co.uk/marhist/workington_harrington/geltwood.htm, Retrieved 26 March 2008. *'Geltwood Anchor Memorial' in Southend at [https://archive.today/20130202235003/http://www.southaustralia.com/info.aspx?id=9005361], Retrieved 21 May 2012. *'The Shipwreck Room' at http://www.millicentmuseum.com/shipwreckRoom.htm {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100610075558/http://www.millicentmuseum.com/shipwreckRoom.htm |date=10 June 2010 }}, Retrieved 21 May 2012.

==External links== *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP4igCZ0ivE ''Geltwood'' on Ozdiverdowns' YouTube, May 2013]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Geltwood}} Category:Shipwrecks of South Australia Category:Maritime incidents in June 1876 Category:1876 ships Category:Victorian-era merchant ships of the United Kingdom Category:Sailing ships of the United Kingdom Category:Barques