The Tragic Tales of the Schomberg and the Loch Ard

The Schomberg and the Loch Ard were two British passenger ships that sank off the coast of Victoria, Australia, in 1855 and 1878, respectively. The Schomberg sank with the loss of 332 lives, while the Loch Ard sank with the loss of 54 lives. Both shipwrecks were caused by human error, and both could have been avoided.

Wrecks and Reputations: The tragic tales of the Schomberg and the Loch Ard

by Don Charlwood

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2252 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	226 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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The Schomberg

The Schomberg was a wooden-hulled paddle steamer that was built in 1836. She was 150 feet long and 24 feet wide, and she had a gross tonnage of 581 tons. The Schomberg was powered by two steam engines that drove her two paddle wheels. She was a fast and powerful ship, and she could carry up to 600 passengers.

On 16 January 1855, the Schomberg departed from Port Melbourne, bound for Hobart, Tasmania. She was carrying a crew of 56 and 332 passengers. The weather was fine, and the sea was calm. However, as the Schomberg approached Cape Otway, the weather began to deteriorate. A strong wind sprang up, and the sea became rough. The Schomberg began to take on water, and her pumps were unable to keep up with the inflow.

At around 11:00 pm, the Schomberg struck a reef. She began to break up, and her passengers and crew were thrown into the sea. Many of them drowned, and others were killed by the ship's wreckage. Only 29 people survived the sinking of the Schomberg.

The Loch Ard

The Loch Ard was an iron-hulled steamship that was built in 1874. She was 272 feet long and 35 feet wide, and she had a gross tonnage of 1,271 tons. The Loch Ard was powered by a single screw propeller. She was a fast and comfortable ship, and she could carry up to 400 passengers.

On 1 June 1878, the Loch Ard departed from Gravesend, England, bound for Melbourne, Australia. She was carrying a crew of 61 and 54 passengers. The weather was fine, and the sea was calm. However, as the Loch Ard approached Cape Otway, the weather began to deteriorate. A strong wind sprang up, and the sea became rough. The Loch Ard began to take on water, and her pumps were unable to keep up with the inflow.

At around 4:00 am, the Loch Ard struck a reef. She began to break up, and her passengers and crew were thrown into the sea. Many of them drowned, and others were killed by the ship's wreckage. Only two people survived the sinking of the Loch Ard.

The Causes of the Schomberg and Loch Ard Disasters

The Schomberg and Loch Ard disasters were both caused by human error. In the case of the Schomberg, the captain of the ship made a number of poor decisions that led to the ship's sinking. He failed to take into account the weather forecast, and he did not take the necessary precautions to keep the ship from taking on water. In the case of the Loch Ard, the captain of the ship was speeding in order to make up for lost time. He was also under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.

The Legacy of the Schomberg and Loch Ard Disasters

The Schomberg and Loch Ard disasters were two of the worst maritime disasters in Australian history. They resulted in the deaths of over 380 people, and they left a lasting legacy of grief and sorrow. The wrecks of both ships are now protected by the Australian government, and they are a popular destination for divers.

The Schomberg and Loch Ard disasters were two tragic events that could have been avoided. They are a reminder of the importance of safety at sea, and they serve as a warning to all mariners.

Wrecks and Reputations: The tragic tales of the Schomberg and the Loch Ard

by Don Charlwood

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2252 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	226 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE