Nearing the completion of her maiden voyage from Liverpool bound for Melbourne the ship struck a reef, capsized and broke up.

The events surrounding Geltwood are made infamous by reports of looting by some locals.

The wreck was not reported to the police for two weeks, and in that time a number of people stole equipment and belongings that were washed ashore.

A trial was held in Millicent which resulted in the acquittal of two men on the grounds they didn't know looting a shipwreck was a crime.

One of the Geltwood anchors can be viewed in Southend at a lookout on Cape Buffon drive.