March 24th 1895

The Noordstar, an iron-hulled brigantine bound from Venezuela to Hamburg with a cargo of box wood and divi divi*, came ashore at Hanover Point, striking what was known locally as the Oil Rock. All seven lives were saved  ‘in a remarkably smart and able manner by the gallant crew’. A ring-tailed monkey miraculously escaped drowning by floating ashore in a sack and the rector’s wife, Mrs Morris, took it in.

* ‘Divi divi’ are the pods (1 x 3 inches rolled up) of South American redwood trees and are used by tanners and dyers.