In 1893 on the 28th December the SS Alert sank in deep water close to Cape Schanck. The only survivor was Robert Ponting, the ships cook. Recalling the incident Mr Ponting tells of how, “As he clung to part of a door throughout the night he could see the beam from the Cape Schanck lighthouse, and helped by a favourable current swam towards it, finally touching bottom after sixteen hours in the water.”
To get a first hand look at the lighthouse as did Robert Ponting, Cape Schanck Lighthouse will be running evening tours on Saturday 13th October, every half an hour from 6.00-8.00pm. Daily tours will operate as usual, commencing at 10.00am.
The Historical Re enactment Society will be performing three shows on Sunday 14th October at 12.00, 1.30 & 3.00pm. Dressed in the winter uniform representing, the Naval Brigade of the 1900 Boxer Rebellion, the shows include weapons drill, firing a cannon and flag raising.
A new display in the Museum looks at Instructions to Lightkeepers regarding shipwrecks and rescue equipment. A booklet in the museum titled Beneath the Light looks briefly at the 17 shipwrecks in the area.
An art exhibition based on Robert Ponting by the students of Boneo Primary School will be on display in the stables along with items from the Re Enactment Society. |
