TitleWilliam and Ellen ElliottObject TypePhotographDatec.1890DescriptionSepia photograph of Mr & Mrs W. J. Elliott of Wentworth St, Shellharbour. CreatorEden StudiosProvenance and SignifcanceWilliam J Elliott built a house opposite Stella Maris Convent School in Wentworth Street.
He worked as a mate on the steamer 'Peterborough', retiring his position after being found at fault in the collision of the 'Peterborough' and 'Lady Napier' ferry steamer at Sydney in 1900.
The same year William bought a 16ft sailing boat 'The Dulcie' for fishing. He left to fish in the direction of Bushranger's Bay, Bass Point 20 April 1901, and did not return by late evening.
A search for him began. A clairvoyants or 'mystic' was asked to assist. Mrs Elliott was told her husband had drowned under his capsized boat which was held by the anchor a few feet below the surface of the water. The mystic pointed to where to look but no trace of the victim's body was ever found.
Portions of the lining of William's boat washed up on the shore at Shellharbour in April 1901, and it was presumed the boat had been wrecked in a gale.
William's hat was uncovered by Charles Murey on the beach at Bass Point (Long Point) in May 1901.
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Eden Studios, William and Ellen Elliott (c.1890). Shellharbour City Council, accessed 21/01/2026, https://discover.shellharbour.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/12737