We Lingered at Redgate Beach
So our rather confusing back and forth on the map, we made it to Redgate Beach, however we were quite cautious, I mean “Lives have been lost” was now in the back of our minds, if not the front.
Unfortunately, the unpredictable weather, poor navigational aids, and rocky headlands made it treacherous for these ships, with over 80 vessels being lost off the coast in a ten year period.
One of those vessels was the sail/steamer SS Georgette , which sunk in Calgarup Bay near Redgate Beach. The SS Georgette was carrying 50 passengers and a hull full of Jarrah timbers when it struck trouble on rocks.
If it wasn’t for the brave actions of Sam Isaacs and 16 year old Grace Bussell many people on board the ship would have perished.
At the Redgate carpark there is a Grace Bussell Memorial and on a calm day, if you look south from the carpark, about 90m out to sea, you can see the wreck of the Georgette lying in 5m of water. The rock where the Georgette sank is now known as Isaacs Rock in honour of Sam Isaacs.
