Early Lorne Settlement

In 1841 Captain James Loutit (or Louttit, or Loutitt), Master of the schooner Will Watch reported sheltering from north-westerly winds in the protected bay in front of present day Lorne. He carried cargo around the Otway coastline in many different vessels like the schooner Apollo and later took the first shipload of wool to England. Subsequently in 1846, surveyor George Smythe had the names of Louttit Bay and nearby Apollo Bay, registered at Superintendent Latrobe’s Office in Melbourne. No objections were raised and these names remain today.

1846, Ship “Rodney” commanded by Captain Loutitt (LHS photo)

Henry Noon, Master of the cutter Mary, identified Louttit Bay as a safe place for sailing vessels to shelter in the event of extreme Westerly wind. As reported by the Argus newspaper of 26 December in 1848. Louttit Bay was described as about one mile north-east of Flat Top Point, with a fine sandy bay with two fresh water rivers, five miles (8 km) from Split Point (Aireys Inlet) and about 9 miles (15 km) from Cape Patton.

Mitchell Library NSW, sketch showing Louttit Bay by Captain Noon, c.1850

In the above sketch you can see a profile of the hills from Cape Patton to Split Point. You can see Mt George drawn, now Teddys Lookout. Fresh water is marked, now being St George River and the Erskine river.

On the left side of the Erskine river is marked as Hurds Station. It has been reported that in 1853 John Hurd established the Louttit Bay Cattle Station.

On the right side of the Erskine is marked huts, believed to be those of William Lindsay who was granted a Splitters License to harvest timber, and known to have built just above the Swing Bridge, near a small creek.

Also visible on the sketch are the rocks of Point Grey and numbers showing the depth of the water, from 3 to 7 fathoms. A jetty is marked on the sketch.

Note written by Captain Henry Noon describing Loutit Bay.

Sources:

  • Lorne A Living History by Doug Stirling
  • Lorne Historical Society Collections
  • Mitchell Library NSW
  • Ian Walding conversation February 2025
  • TROVE searches