Calling anchor an icon 'not going overboard'
Illawarra Mercury
Wednesday March 30, 2011
IT'S been many years since this hefty old anchor has seen water and exactly which of the world's oceans and seas it has been flung into remains a mystery.George Caberzas, a scrap metal recycler, has seen his fair share of junk, but when he first caught sight of this anchor, he could tell it was something special.Believing it to be more than 100 years old and historically significant, Mr Caberzas is hoping the anchor may have a future as a monument to the Illawarra's maritime past.Earlier this month he was offered the anchor for sale by a man contracted by NSW Maritime to remove a number of unwanted items, including the hefty anchor, from Hill 60.Mr Caberzas realised its worth immediately and bought it for just $150.He is now planning to donate it to Wollongong City Council and is keen to see the item at one of the region's prominent beaches."It's a beautiful piece of Illawarra history," he said."I've already had offers."Some bloke offered me $1500 but I'm still going to put it back into the community."Little was known of the anchor's history and even NSW Maritime had been unable to piece together details of its past, Mr Caberzas said.He said it probably came from a timber vessel.Council plans to inspect the anchor to assess whether it will be worthwhile addition to a park or tourist site.
© 2011 Illawarra Mercury