Who Killed The Prime Minister? by blinkings
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Description
This beautiful and pristine place is the infamous Cheviot Beach, Australia. It was here, on the 17th December 1967, Harold Holt, Prime Minister of Australia, went for a swim. He no sooner entered the sea, when he dropped beneath the surface and was never seen again. His companions raised the alarm, and what ensued was one of the largest search and rescue operations Australia has ever witnessed. My parent's told me of the police cars that seemed to continually scream past their house. Holt's body was never found, fuelling many theories regarding his disappearance, ranging from suicide to abduction by a Chinese submarine!!! He entered the water off to the extreme left of the photo. The beach takes its name from a tragedy that happened 80 years earlier. On the stormy night of 19 October 1887, the steamer Cheviot was wrecked on the rocky offshore reef, and 35 people lost their lives."
It's still a spooky place. Since the 1800's, the whole area has been a secure military facility. As well as having numerous huge guns trained on the coast in case of attack, it was also a testing ground for weapons. The first allied shot of WW1 was fired here. Even today, there are no houses, or surfers.......or anything else. It's a pristine natural wilderness for one very good reason. The surrounding area is littered with ancient but potentially still live ordnance.....bombs and shells that didn't detonate. I've spent the last days exploring the area (using some mighty careful stepping!!), including the old military installations. I got to photograph heaps of stuff!
PS...Being Prime Minister had it's privileges! Holt had access to the area where everyone else didn't! But if I had to guess it wasn't a bomb that killed him......it was the rips. Some of the most violent surf in the world can roll in here. He was an experienced spear fisherman, but Mother Nature always holds the cards eh!
And guess what they named in his honor....a huge public SWIMMING POOL!!!!!!
The photos below shows Mr Holt entering the water at Cheviot Beach all those years ago, the search party, and lastly the steamer Cheviot.
Comments (22)
durleybeachbum
Absolutely fascinating narrative and a beautiful pic.
jayfar
This is a lovely shot of this mysterious place and a fascinating story.
kgb224
Stunning capture my friend. God Bless.
bullsnook
great shot, interesting story
GiMi53
Very interesting upload indeed, on many aspects ! :~)
kagemusha77
Very tragic story, but the place is very beautiful, great pov for this shot, superb colors, amazing sea movement!
knupps
Interesting and tragic. It looks so inviting, but as you say, a little spooky when you know what happend there.
dakotabluemoon
Wow i never knew that and interesting reading with an awesome shot of beauty to go with it.
debbielove
Brilliant History lesson Andrew, thank you.. I never knew ...well, almost none of this! But awful really as I'm meant to know 'stuff!' Great picture and thanks for the bonus ones as well.. Good work.. Rob
fallen21
Fantastic shot!
morningglory
What a story to go with such a beautiful place.
jophoto
Lovely picture and a fascinating story!
Sea_Dog
Great story, I had no idea of this incident. The shot is also superb.
BIPOLARTWO
It was not me. I have an alibi. Such terrific colours in the ocean
beachzz
What a gorgeous place--but often those are the places that can hide danger. Love both your foto and the story with it; learn SO Much here!!
Crabbycabby
Fascinating.
danapommet
Never heard that story. Amazing! Great shot and it looks like a peaceful spot for a swim. Noone wants it to end that way. Dana
dorothylee
Beautiful capture!
Osper
Nice job!! Remember the story but just barely! UFO most likely!! ;)
0rest4wicked
Sensational narrative! Something peolple don't realize is that she will always hold the cards. Here along the lost coast, you are taught never to turn your back to the surf!
mps
Lovely image, interesting image
netot
Could have been a shark? As far as I know, at the Australian coast, there are many "Big White". Great shot.