Gypsy Moth V
The yacht built for Sir Francis Chichester ran aground near the Gabo Island lighthouse in 1982 during a round-the-world race.
The story
Gypsy Moth V was built in 1970 and was originally constructed for Sir Francis Chichester. She was taking part in a round-the-world yacht race that began in London, with Desmond Hammond as owner and sole crew.
On 18 December 1982 she was driven ashore near the Gabo Island lighthouse at about 1800 hours. Hammond tried to drop sail and reverse the motor, but the yacht stuck fast.
The next morning an inspection found substantial hull damage and she was abandoned to salvage.
Archive photographs for this wreck are being gathered and will be added here.
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More wrecks on this coast
Matilda
A Tasmanian schooner sent to Gabo Island for guano in 1848. Reports agree she was blown ashore but disagree on whether it happened at Gabo or on Babel Island.
1852Mary Wilson
A wine-laden brig from Portugal to Sydney that sheltered at Gabo Island and was driven ashore, one of the earliest recorded losses at the island.
1856Phoebe
A schooner damaged in a storm that sheltered in Gabo Harbour in 1856 and was blown ashore by a northerly gale. Everyone aboard survived.
16 December 1859Margaret Nicol
A coal schooner damaged in a gale and lost at Gabo Island in 1859. The crew spent two days on the island before the steamer Wonga Wonga took them off.