Shannon Azzaro

Newspaper Interview with Shannon Azzaro

robertsnew Shannon Azzaro , , , ,

There was a buzz at the Peterborough launch of From Fame to Infamy: Captain Forbes and the loss of the Schomberg. The book tells how the Schomberg came to become shipwrecked off the coast of Peterborough and the aftermath. After the launch, the Warrnambool Standard got in touch and asked to interview the author Shannon Azzaro. They published the interview today. Such was the Standard’s dedication, they even asked Shannon to pose in front of the coastline where the wreck occurred!

The journalist was interested in how through writing the book Shannon found sources about the shipwreck which had not been used by other writers and that in doing so she reached some different conclusions to other accounts of what transpired on that fateful Boxing Day in 1855. To learn more, you’ll have to read the book.

The book can be purchased from bookshops and online retailers. Here are some links to retailers Amazon, Dymocks, Booktopia, Readings.

Cover Reveal for From Fame to Infamy: Captain Forbes and the loss of the Schomberg

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Part of the coastline of Victoria is known as the Shipwreck Coast for good reason – many ships have been sunk after crashing into its reefs and rocks. One of the famous wrecks which lies off the coast of Peterborough is the Schomberg. Peterborough local, Shannon Azzaro became fascinated by the tale of this wreck and began to research it. Shannon is a retired librarian who utilised her skills to track down rarely seen sources which led to her questioning the traditional narrative of the wreck and its captain, Captain Forbes.

Her debut non-fiction book From Fame to Infamy: Captain Forbes and the loss of the Schomberg uses new sources of information and tracks the whole story of the Schomberg in greater detail against the narratives of the day. Historians, sailing, and shipwreck enthusiasts have published many versions of the shocking tale of Master Mariner, Captain “Bully” Forbes, who wrecked the mighty clipper Schomberg along the Victorian Shipwreck Coast in 1855. But what if those books got it wrong?
Was the journey a case of “Hell or Melbourne in 60 days?” Did Forbes bring about his own downfall? Was his reputation ruined by others, and if so, why?

The book will be launched in November 2022 and on sale in December. We are delighted to reveal the cover for the book, which was designed by our cover designer, Cathy Larsen.