The Lost of the Loch Ard – Carlyn and Ron Sproston

Authors:
Carlyn Sproston & Ron Sproston

Publisher:
Warrnambool, Victoria: Carlyn and Ron Sproston, 2015

Format:
Softcover

Pages:
160 pages, illustrated with photographs and portraits; 30 cm

ISBN:
9780646944470

Condition:
Near Fine – clean, tightly bound copy with minimal handling wear. Internally unmarked and richly illustrated throughout.

Description:
A compelling and deeply human account of the Loch Ard shipwreck, one of Australia's most tragic and storied maritime disasters. On 1 June 1878, the Loch Ard struck the Shipwreck Coast near Victoria’s Loch Ard Gorge, leading to the loss of 51 lives. This independently published work by Carlyn and Ron Sproston goes beyond the well-known survival tale of Eva Carmichael and apprentice sailor Tom Pearce to uncover the forgotten personal stories of the men, women, and children who perished—and the loved ones left behind.

The book also explores the cultural symbolism of the Loch Ard Peacock, a piece of Minton Majolica ware salvaged from the wreck and now a centrepiece at Warrnambool’s Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum. This detailed and respectful narrative brings new depth to one of the most significant events in Australia's maritime history.

Why You’ll Love It:
Ideal for maritime history buffs, family historians, and readers with a connection to the Shipwreck Coast. This book provides a rare, biographical lens on a national tragedy, rich in historical detail, archival imagery, and local storytelling. It’s a moving tribute to lives lost and remembered, and a thoughtful addition to any collection on Australian history or shipwreck lore.