Mahogany Ship enthusiasts Pat Connelly (left) and Ross Poulter talk to National Geographic presenter Paul Carter, as Ulli Krafzic films their conversation on the beach south of Tower Hill.
THE enduring Mahogany Ship myth will be revived in a new documentary series to be shown to international markets on the National Geographic channel.
A visiting film crew this week had cameras rolling as local enthusiast Ross Poulter probed sand dunes west of Warrnambool, where he believed the legendary shipwreck was buried.
“We are not making any conclusions. It’s an amazing story that could rewrite history,” series director Eliot Buchan told The Standard.
The crew interviewed Mr Poulter and local Mahogany Ship committee researcher Pat Connelly while visiting Levys Point, The Cutting and Tower Hill to gather footage about the legend, based on historic sightings of what some have speculated could be a wrecked Portuguese caravel in the sand dunes.
On Wednesday they were on Loch Ard Gorge beach and also took underwater footage of the famous 1878 wreck near Port Campbell.
In a few weeks they plan to return with a mini submarine to film more of the many shipwrecks along the Great Ocean Road.
“It’s a spectacular piece of coastline and speaks to our theme specifically,” Mr Buchan said.
“We will be here around Warrnambool until Tuesday and head towards Cape Otway.”
Their Perth-based production house Prospero aims to have the work set to air later this year for the series Life On The Edge.
pcollins@fairfaxmedia.com.au