Annie Carmichael (1871 - 1878)

Born 23 Aug 1871 in County Laois, Ireland

Ancestors

Died 1 Jun 1878 at age 6 in At Sea off Mutton Bird Island, Victoria, Australia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Bob Gallagher [send private message]

Biography

Annie was born on 23 August 1871 in County Laois, Ireland. She was the daughter of Evory Carmichael and Rebecca Moore.

She passed away on 1 June 1878 at sea off Mutton Bird Island, Victoria, Australia, a victim of the Loch Ard shipwreck calamity. Her body was not recovered.

She is memorialised at Loch Ard Cemetery, Port Campbell, Corangamite Shire, Victoria, Australia. ^[1]

Wreck Of The Loch Ard

Loch Ard departed England on 1 March 1878, bound for Melbourne, commanded by Captain Gibb and with a crew of 37 men. It was carrying 17 passengers and assorted cargo (total of 54 people). On 1 June, the ship was approaching Melbourne. The crew expected to sight land but encountered heavy fog. The inquest determined that, unable to see the Cape Otway lighthouse; having faulty chronometers on board; and not having been able to take a reading to establish his exact position due to bad weather conditions over the previous few days, the captain was unaware how close he was running to the coast. The fog lifted around 4am, revealing breakers and cliff faces. Gibb quickly ordered sail to be set to come about and get clear of the coast, but they were unable to do so in time, and ran aground on a reef. The masts and rigging came crashing down, killing some people on deck and preventing the lifeboats from being launched effectively. The ship sank within 10 or 15 minutes of striking the reef.

Sources

1. ↑ Annie Carmichael BIRTH : 23 Aug 1871, County Laois, Ireland DEATH : 1 Jun 1878 (aged 6), Victoria, Australia BURIAL : Loch Ard Cemetery, Port Campbell, Corangamite Shire, Victoria, Australia MEMORIAL ID : 64508554 Inscription : Mrs. Evory Carmichael, Miss Raby Carmichael (whose bodies lie underneath). Also in remembrance of Dr. Evory Carmichael, Misses Margaret and Annie Carmichael, Masters Evory and Thomas Carmichael, all of whom were lost in the calamitous wreck of the Loch Ard. Saturday, Ist June, 1878. This stone is erected by Eva and William Carmichael, the former of whom was most miraculously preserved. In affectionate memory of their parents, brothers and sisters." https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/64508554/annie-carmichael