Montebello Shipwreck
The wreck of the ̀Montebello' off the south coast of Kangaroo Island, destroyed by bad weather 18 November 1906.
The Montebello was a three mast steel barque built in Nantes, France in the year 1900 by Anteliers and Chantries. She measured 276.8 feet length by 40.3 feet breadth and 22.5 feet depth, with a tonnage of 2784 net or 1725 gross. The vessel under the Captaincy of Alphonse Kervegan was one of an extensive fleet of French ships heading to Australia for charter or with prospective engagements to load breadstuffs. She sailed from Liverpool, England on the 15th August. 1906, under ballast, stopping at Brest, France before proceeding to Hobart, Australia under charter with the South Australian Farmers Union. 1 kilometre west of Stunsailboom River on the eastern edge of a sandy cove. Rediscovered 15/02/1980
Capt. Kervegan Expresses Satisfaction. Capt. Kervegan, his officers, and crew are all deeply grateful for what has been done in their behalf. "I cannot." he said to a representative of The Register, "sufficiently express my thanks for the great kindness shown to us in the people on Kangaroo Island. They did everything in their power to give as much needed assistance. and to Percy May especially we wish to tender our sincere thanks. We also desire to thank the South Australian authorities for their prompt dispatch of the steamer Governor Musgrave. Since we joined the steamer we have received nothing but kindness and hospitality at the hands of Capt. Weir and his officers and men."
Survivors of the shipwrecked 'Montebello'being taken from the south side of Kangaroo Island by the 'Governor Musgrave's' life-boat, November 1906. SLSA [PRG 280/1/5/161]