Artist's impression of the ship Duncow riding out a storm beneath the cliffs of Cape de Couedic, Kangaroo Island. Duncow was a fully rigged ship of 1,715 tons, 200.1 feet long, 32.6 feet beam and 19.6 feet depth. She was built 1878 in Sunderland. The ship was carrying a cargo of 1,200,00 super feet of timber for the mines of South Australia. On the evening of 25 May 1897 the ship found itself beneath the sheer cliffs of Kangaroo Island. With the wind from the south and increasing in speed and amid pounding waves the captain had little choice but to anchor and ride out the storm. As its intensity increased the decision was made to start jettisoning deck cargo and await the opportunity to abandon ship and save lives. Finally with no change in the weather and doubting the safety of the vessel the order was given to abandon ship.

The crew were able to row around the coast to Cape Borda lighthouse after some 22 hours in the lifeboat. Eventually the crew reached Kingscote and from there contacted the police and the Marine Board. The tug Yatala was sent to investigate and instead of a wreck found the Duncow riding easily at anchor and showing little damage from the storm. Yatala successfully towed the ship to Port Pirie where her cargo was discharged.

State Library of South Australia: Mortlock Wing exhibitions. Wooden Walls and Iron Sides August 2004-