On 22nd July, 1900, there was a violent hurricane that struck Karridale in SW Australia and the electric telegraph cables were ‘parted’ so that all communication was lost. There is an account on the jetty of Hamelin Bay where we visited today. 11-wrecks were littering the bay and apparently several lives were lost. This information is given on a photocopy of the transcript in beautiful cursive writing.
Also, The Katinka landed on a ‘nasty beach’ where five-men tried
to save their lives by swimming ashore, but only two managed to save themselves
by swimming ashore. The chief officer
was killed under the collapsing rigging while the remainder of crew saved
themselves by climbing the rigging where they were rescued.
The whole coast line is littered with wrecks and the ghosts of the drowned wander about the shore.
Today, we travelled down to Augusta: beautiful beaches with white sand and
turquois breakers far out where you could see small black dots – surfers
enjoying the thrill of the waves.
Because it is now the winter season, not many people are
around although the water of the Indian Ocean is warm enough to swim in and the
rain is far away.
