Brave Rescue
On December 2. 1976. the Australian coastal steamship. “Georgette," sailed from the port of Fremantle heading for Adelaide.
About 180 miles south of the port the ship sprang a leak in rough seas. The captain knew there was little chance of saving his ship. He was more worried about his 48 passengers, mainly women and children.
The lifeboat was lowered to take people to the shore but it was as old. as the “Georgette” itself and quickly sank.
Another boat was launched as the ship ran aground on rocks closer in to shore. It capsized.
As the passengers clung to the sinking ship 16 year old Grace Bussel was riding her horse along the cliff top above the shore.
Seeing the ship, Grace, followed by a family servant, Sam Isaacs, rode her horse down the steep cliff face and plunged into the crashing waves making her way towards the overturned boat.
Carrying two small children and with mothers clinging to the saddle Grace made her way back to the shore. Sam did the same.
The shuttle-service between ship and shore went on for four hours until all the surviving passengers had been rescued.
Exhausted, the passengers and Grace collapsed on the beach. Realising the people needed food and warm clothing to prevent more deaths Grace rode off to her home 12 miles away at Busseltown, a town named afer her family.
Grace and Sam were awarded medals for bravery by the Royal Humane Society and the British government presented Grace with a gold watch.
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Bibliographic details
Press, 13 April 1982, Page 18
Word Count
256Brave Rescue Press, 13 April 1982, Page 18
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