Historical information

The mystery of the Portuguese Caravel, commonly known as the ‘Mahogany Ship’ is today regarded as legend and refers to an ancient wreck that is said to lie beneath the sand between Warrnambool and Port Fairy. Its location is currently unknown, but many people have searched for it through the years since the first reported sighting of an unidentified wreck in 1836. For over a century this mystery has fascinated Australians because the existence of such a vessel could throw light on the earliest phase of exploration of Eastern Australia by Europeans. The interest in the mystery was high enough for the Victorian Government to offer a reward in 1992 which was subsequently withdrawn a year later with no monies being paid.

Significance

This item is historically significant because of its relationship to an ongoing mystery (the Mahogany Ship) that may throw light on the early exploration of Australia. The offering of a reward, 150+years after the first recorded sighting, by the Victorian Government points to the ongoing fascination with this subject to the Victorian people.

Physical description

A reward poster printed on calico. Even though the poster was created in 1992 it follows the regular structure of a reward poster from earlier times; the word REWARD in large print at the top, the amount $250,000 in bold type and an imagined drawing of the missing Portuguese Caravel.

Inscriptions & markings

Printed text: REWARD Notice is hereby given that the Government of Victoria is offering a REWARD of $250,000 for the DISCOVERY of an international invader that has eluded authorities for more than 400 years. Believed to be a PORTUGUESE CARAVEL, this traveller is thought to be hiding somewhere along the world's most scenic coastal drive- Victoria's Great Ocean Road. Positive sightings could rewrite the HISTORY OF AUSTRALIA. More than 20 unconfirmed sightings have been reported since 1836. Description: Approx. 26 metres long, 12 metres wide, 20 metres in height, dark brown in colour. BOUNTY HUNTERS AND INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD APPLY TO: FLAGSTAFF HILL MARITIME MUSEUM, PO BOX 574 WARRNAMBOOL 3280 OR TOURISM MANAGER, DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION & ENVIRONMENT, 8TH FLOOR 250 VICTORIA PARADE, EAST MELBOURNE 3002 BY ORDER OF THE VICTORIAN MINISTER FOR TOURISM.
Printed image: back view of a Caravel in full sail