FathomOz

Divers visited the shipwreck site, just off the entrance to Sydney Harbour and under the cliffs of Dover Heights back in 1955 and regularly afterwards.  The silver coins shown below are part of Gillies Gold – the collection recovered by the late John Gillies over many years working the site.

Holes drilled in the coins suggest these were being worn as security against theft by some of the 121 persons who drowned in 1857 during a cold winter morning. The ship arrived at Sydney Heads during fog and heavy seas to be wrecked after a long voyage from England.

A disaster so close to their destination after months at sea.  The ship struck rocks near a popular suicide location known as  ‘the gap’.

Pictured above is the late Wally Gibbins – a salvage diver known for his work on Solomon Islands, and for his knowledge of sea shells.  http://xanga.com/wallygibbins

Also a champion with spear fishing and shark hunting exploits during the pioneer era.

Wally Gibbins

John Gillies speared this record-sized Bonito at Long Reef, Sydney.