Still not much opportunity for photos as, believe it or not, it is still raining here. Apart from one day this month when we went out with the walking group it has rained every day. We keep hoping it will stop soon.
Luckily I managed to do my grocery shopping this afternoon between showers.
This collage of the wrecked ship The Adolphe was taken last week when we were out with our walking group. It was lovely to see the sunshine if only for one day.
The Adolphe was a sailing ship that was wrecked at the mouth of the Hunter River in 1904. The ship is now the most prominent of several wrecks on what is now the Stockton breakwall, which protects Newcastle harbour. The rescue of the ship’s crew has gone down in local maritime history as one of the most remarkable in local waters.
On 30 September 1904, the Adolphe was being towed through the entrance of Newcastle harbour by the tugs Hero and Victoria after an 85-day voyage in ballast from Antwerp under the command of Captain Lucas. Heavy seas prevented the tugs from holding her, and after the tug hawser parted she was swept first on to the wreck of the Colonist, then battered by waves that forced her on top of other submerged wrecks on what was then called the Oyster Bank. The lifeboat hurried to the scene and within two hours all 32 of the crew had been taken off. The northern breakwater of the entrance to the port of Newcastle was extended after the loss of the Adolphe. The French consul made an official visit to Newcastle to recognise the efforts of the lifeboat crew.
When the breakwater was extended in 1906 and reached the remains of the Adolphe, her remaining two masts and jib-boom were removed for safety reasons. She is actually resting across the remains of SS Wendouree, wrecked in 1898, and SS Lindus, lost in 1899
Each image beautifully captures the lovely tones and textures Babs, we have been set a challenge by the camera club this summer to capture hidden or derelict beauty, this would be perfect unfortunately its just a little to far away, lol:)
@pcoulson Where's your sense of adventure Peter, I am sure you could nip over and back home again in a couple of days.
Maybe next time you are visiting Oz you can capture the Adolphe.
You'd think after over 110 years of battering from the sea that there would be nothing left. Such an interesting story of it's end and the rescue. This is a great collage to record it's current state.
Terrific collage and a very interesting back-story. Thanks Babs. I heard this morning that guilty ship is still detained in harbour until the authorities release it.
@golftragic Sh don't shout too loud but the rain has stopped today and our house is like a Chinese laundry. I have done three loads of washing. The sun is appearing occasionally, but at least the temperature is around 18 degrees c so the washing is drying quite nicely.
@onewing I shall tippy-toe round the house. We've had a few heavy showers overnight and today, dunno about golf tomorrow. I'm too old and cranky to enjoy playing in rain now. Added to which dragging all the gear and wet clothes inside to dry is a total PITA.
Maybe next time you are visiting Oz you can capture the Adolphe.
Our latest tragedy is over 80 containers falling off a ship about 10 days ago off the coast of Port Stephens in bad weather. The ship was on its way to Sydney from Taiwan I believe. Rubbish from the containers has washed up on our local beaches and there is a huge clean up going on. They are trying to map some of the containers because they are a danger to shipping and fishermen in the area, not to mention the harm to whales, dolphins and turtles etc as they could eat the contents from the containers.