A GLEAMING gold watch is helping turn back time to a boating disaster that rocked Swansea exactly a century ago.
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Seven men were drowned when their launch, Scotch Queen, capsized at the entrance to Lake Macquarie on December 21, 1919.
The Newcastle Morning Herald described it as a "terrible launch disaster". A large wave crashing over the bar at Swansea had "overwhelmed the little craft".
Three others on board Scotch Queen (sometimes reported as Scottish Queen) were rescued. And it was one of those rescue operations that led to the watch, which is in the possession of Central Coast man Evan Campbell.
"This is a tangible keepsake of an important part of our family's history," said Mr Campbell.
Mr Campbell's great-great uncle was William Evans.
On that fateful day in 1919, William Evans was holidaying near the southern breakwater along Swansea Channel.
Despite the rough conditions, Mr Evans and two others launched an 18-foot boat to pluck one survivor out of the water.
The stricken man was "by this time well over the bar, having been carried out by the tide," as the Newcastle Morning Herald reported.
The two other survivors were rescued by a renowned Swansea boatbuilder, James Boyd, who had launched one of his vessels, as word quickly spread in the lakeside village about the unfolding disaster.
The community later officially recognised the rescuers, including William Evans. The watch presented to him is inscribed, "To William Evans. For saving life. Swansea disaster. 1919."
That watch journeyed through the generations. Evan Campbell recalled as a small boy, whenever he visited his grandmother, he wanted to see the watch.
"I was fascinated by the idea that he would be presented with this memento for a brave act," Mr Campbell said. "It's such a beautiful item.
"You open the back up, see 'Swansea disaster', and as a child, your imagination runs wild."
Among the victims of the "Swansea disaster" were twin brothers, Peter and Alick McCauley. The McCauley brothers, and three others who died, were recently returned soldiers, having served in the First World War.
Evan Campbell, who was given the watch by his mother, is now sharing the heirloom with the community, as it is briefly returned to the scene of the disaster.
The watch is being displayed at a shipwreck-themed exhibition, Submerged, at Swansea Library until January 26.
Lake Macquarie City Council's Engagement Coordinator, Jessica Dowdell, said the inclusion of the watch enhanced the exhibition, since it was predominantly based around photographs.
"To have this physical connection to the past is really significant, and it's really important," Ms Dowdell said.
"Our history is what defines and binds us. And the story of Scotch Queen ... helps define the Swansea area and its maritime heritage."
Evan Campbell said he was pleased that 100 years on, the disaster was being remembered.
"It's important in the annals of local history, and it needs to be recognised," he said. "There was a loss of seven lives, and people risked their own lives to save those who did survive."
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