For over forty years, Jack Loney wrote and published over one hundred books and booklets on Australian shipwrecks and maritime history. He built up a formidable data base of entries based on original research through court and inquiry records, newspapers, shipping records and whatever else he could get his hands on to. His aim was not to be a marine historian, but rather an educator, as he indeed was professionally; he wanted the information to be made available to anyone, and low cost publications were his aim. It was inevitable that as the data base grew, inconsistencies presented by the various source documents would emerge, and without the aid of a computer, many conflicting entries occurred.

My name is Peter Stone. Jack Loney was my friend and colleague, one of the most wonderful men I have had the pleasure of knowing. My aim was to gather all of Jack's shipwreck entries and prepare a full alphabetic listing, with cross references back to where further information could be found in his many books. This objective was extended to include base material from other published works, for two predominant reasons - to provide a cross reference to verify or refute Jack's work, and to provide a reference for further information. Hence, the Encyclopedia of Australian Shipwrecks.

The initial aim was to produce a book of this name. And it still is, but it was soon realised, two years ago when my work commenced, that it would take quite a few years of hard work to complete the project. So half-way through, although with most entries listed, it was decided to put the information on the Internet so that Jack's lifelong objectives would be realised - to make our maritime history available to anyone at a reasonable cost. Well, in the case of this internet site, for free. Jack would be pleased. And for that, I am delighted. Just before he died in 1995, Jack Loney was to be presented with a state award for his contribution to maritime education. Rather than let his recognition fade into obscurity, the Victorian Government decided to create a perpetual award  in his name - the State of Victoria Jack Loney Memorial Award, to be presented as required to a person fulfilling the criteria of an outstanding contribution toward maritime education.

On 16 August 1998, I was honoured with the inaugural award, 'In recognition for his outstanding contribution to the preservation of Australia's maritime heritage through his community role as a maritime and dive adventure writer, lobbyist, publisher and photographer'. I was very proud of the award as Jack was my mentor and a wonderful friend. It also meant that I had better do something further to justify the award. Hence, this listing is in recognition of a truly great man in every respect - Jack Loney.

WHAT IS INCLUDED

So, what do we have here? As mentioned, the end result of all of this will be a book (and CD- ROM), of all the vessels in alphabetic order. Previous publications have always been on a state or  region basis - and this is no exception for this web site. Because of the difficulty in presenting such a large listing, of over 10,000 entries, on one site, it was decided to continue the regional concept, so as to keep the files relatively small. Yes, I could have established twenty-six files based on the alphabet, but there was no need to do that, as the internal search engine will locate all entires with the same name.

The objective is to provide a short entry for each vessel, with relevant physical details, and details of her loss. This is followed by a code to a published, reference work. The objective is to provide a guide where the reader can find further data - like a bibliography. The listing does not attempt to correct any apparent errors - these are highlighted and the reader can then determine their source and make the necessary judgement of authenticity.

The vessels listed have not necessarily been lost in Australian waters, but all ships listed have had some association with Australia. Those on the Australia Run for example cover the ships lost between the United Kingdom and Australia. The other special listings are self explanatory. Some  special regions within a state have a separate listing, eg Port Phillip in Victoria for example.

Jack Loney's books are the main foundations of the listing, but they are by no means the only references used. Nearly one hundred published works have been referenced, by forty-one authors. And that is just the start, as the listing will be amended as time permits. Some authors, such as Broxam, Nash, Gleeson, Bateson, Chapman et al, provide much more detailed and authoritative work than Jack did - and I have yet to reference Ron Parsons and Graeme Henderson. Included in the listing are vessels involved in 'incidents', such as collisions, strandings, sinkings etc where the vessel has not been lost.

HOW TO USE THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF AUSTRALIAN SHIPWRECKS WEBSITE

The website has been designed for ease of use, with the reference codes available at all times, as are the links to other regions. This has necessitated the use of frames, but a no-frame browser can still access the individual 'wreck' listings. We have kept graphics to the minimum to the minimise load time, and for regular users, have provided a home page without graphics.

To locate a vessel, several options are available.
If the vessel name and general location is known , use the regional links listing in the left frame,  or the regional map, which will allow a direct link to the shipwreck site.
Once on the shipwreck site, use the Alphabet target above the shipwreck listing to assist in locating the vessel. Most browsers also have a 'find' facility, which may be used for the ship name, location or any other data.

If a complete search of the whole data base is required, enter the name in the search engine box. Note that there is also an advanced search.

If wrecks for a particular location are required, use the search engine, or the regional link followed by a browser 'find' for the specific location once the  regional shipwreck listing has loaded.

To determine the entry reference, run the cursor over the initials at the top of the page and you will note that the full title and author of the book will be displayed. To find further details on the entry, you will need to access the reference page.

The website itself will be added to as required, one aim being to provide a pop-up link to vessel type - just what is a barque or brig. I must emphasise that the objective of the listing is to direct the reader to further information.

COPYRIGHT

Copyright of the Encyclopedia of Australian Shipwrecks, the overall entries and format, design and presentation, remain with the author, Peter Stone, Of Yarram, Australia. Copyright of the individual entry details remain with the respective author or authors. It is respected, and indeed encouraged, that the individual entries so listed by copied and used for non-commercial purposes, and where reproduced, appropriate acknowledgment be given either to the Encyclopedia of Australian Shipwrecks, Peter Stone and or the individual authors as indicated by the respective references.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

First and foremost - the authors of the published reference works. This are listed on the Reference Codes site and need not be reproduced here. Most of the authors have not been consulted - some are no longer with us, others may be surprised to see their name mentioned. All are very much appreciated.

It must be emphasised once again that the entires provided are the efforts of the authors of the reference works listed. I am merely the editor, and although it has been a hard slog, the research and intelligence has come from the authors.

I would like to make special mention to several people. Firstly, to Padge Loney for her permission to use Jack's books as a basis for this encyclopedia. I am honoured to know such a fine lady. To Terry Arnott, now of the Department of Heritage in South Australia for his encouragement - he knows what he did! To Graeme Broxam and Michael Nash, for providing a computer disk contains their complete two volumes of Tasmanian Shipwrecks - it certainly made life easier. To Peter Taylor for the Australian Shipping Register complete listing on disk and print. Thankyou to all these people for making my life a little easier.

THE BOOK AND CD-ROM

The book will not be available until at least the end of year 2003. The first release of the CD-ROM may be earlier. May I request that you register your interest now - no obligation, but it will show us if there are people 'ou there' who think this exercise to be of benefit. It is envisaged that the CD- ROM will contain the full hypertext pages, so that you can access the data directly using your browser, as well as in Microsoft Word and also Word Perfect.

STATISTICS

For your general information, there are over 10,000 entries on the Encyclopedia of Australian Shipwrecks website. The following statistics are relevant to the loading in July 2002. These refer to specific entries, and not all are actual wrecks. Also, where several wreck entries have some similarity, they are joined with the notation - Also listed: - and are counted as one entry.
 

SPONSOR
 

The Encyclopedia of Australian Shipwrecks website is totally sponsored by Oceans Enterprises, 303 Commercial Road, Yarram, Vic 3971, Australia. Link on above graphic for Oceans Enterprises homepage, or go direct to their WRECK BOOKS site.

The aim of the exercise is to educate and entertain.

Your comments are always welcome. Please email.