This week I had the opportunity to accompany my Father, Rob on a field trip to Snake Island on the North West coast of Corio Bay near Geelong.
As he's a very keen birder we saw plenty of birds but we also a lot of things that are part of the history of this fine region. My standout favourite of the day were the two rusting hulks of two barges that were moored and left to rust away.
It seems they were left there at least 30 years and the ocean has made a pretty good job of rusting the metal. The one on the right in the top photo is pretty much gone but the one closest to the pier has still got a fair bit left to it.
Postscript 3 April 2016
Dad and I did some digging and have discovered a little about the two wrecks.
The one closest to the bluestone pier, on the left in the top photo and shown in the second is The Henry Meakin. It was built in 1900 in Renfrewshire, Scotland and was 140 feet long. According to the Victorian Heritage Database:
Bought from Natal Government for 4,500 pounds for use as tug and to render hopper services when required. Docking and overhaul showed it to be in first class condition. Fore and aft rigging. Converted to steam hopper. Involved in extending Hopetoun Channel through Wilsons Spit in 1935 - described as 'hopper dredge'. Fitted with additional plant and machinery during Geelong ownership. Had been out of commission for some time when demolition began in 1946 by Geelong Harbour Trust. Named in honour of Councillor Henry Meakin, a chairman of Harbour Committee Geelong Town Council (1890), distinguished public servant, Under-Secretary Treasury (1875-1908). Wreck beside that of Edward Bechervaise . Attempts to induce Commonwealth Government to recondition the barge as a general work tug were unsuccessful so it was dismantled and beached.
The other wreck, furthest from the pier is that of the Edward Bechervaise. This was a ladder dredge that had reached the end of its useful life. It was dismantled as far as economical and towed to this spot where it was scuttled. It was previously named the "Wallaroo" when purchased from The South Australian Harbour Masters in 1935. It was built in 1878 again in Renfrewshire, Scotland.
According to the VHD:
Described as ladder bucket dredge, non-propelling. Purchased (as Wallaroo) from South Australian Harbours Board. Arrived 8 June 1935. Dredged approaches to Cunningham Pier and west section of Wilsons Spit Channel. In 1939, before temporary withdrawal from service, dredged at Cunningham, Yarra, Moorabool and Huttons (Rippleside) Piers. During 1948 and later, engaged in dredging work in deepening and extending Hopetoun Channel. In 1956, condemned, dismantled and then beached alongside Henry Meakin by successful tenderer Bob Dawson. Renamed Edward Bechervaise after Edward J.Bechervaise, an early and long-standing Geelong Harbor Trust Commissioner.