the wreck was so broken up by the seas that there is probably very little remaining apart from possibly the lower section of the hull.
Built:
1873 by J.Dubigeon and Son, Nantes, France
Location:
The wreck of the Aristide is thought to lie on the shore about 4.6 km north of the Hamelin Jetty, about 200 m north of Twin Rocks.
Sinking:
The wind had reached gale force and the Aristide was riding to both anchors, each weighing over one tonne, when about 10.00 p.m. the port cable parted. With squalls from the west-south-west reaching hurricane force, a cable was bent to the spare anchor and it was let go. The stream anchor was also dropped. However after midnight, with the squalls continuing, the barque began dragging all three anchors. Around 2.00 a.m. on 25 October the cable of the stream anchor parted and the Aristide dragged until by 3.30 a.m. the vessel’s stern was almost in the breakers. Here the two remaining anchors held for about twenty minutes until, dragging again, the barque struck heavily 2½ miles (4.6 km) north of the Hamelin Bay Jetty. The Aristide swung broadside onto the beach about 50 m out from the high water mark, with the deck canted towards the sea. The crew scrambled for safety over the bulwarks and on to the hull.
