Jack Kenneth Loney (21 October 1925 – 13 February 1995) was an amateur Australian maritime historian who published over one hundred books and numerous newspaper and magazine articles. He was a schoolteacher and principal until his retirement. He became interested in maritime history after preparing several general history booklets covering the Otway region of western Victoria, Australia.

Personal life

Loney lived throughout his life in Portarlington, Victoria with his wife Padge. He had two children, Peter and Sally.

Jack Loney Award

Loney was an inaugural and long-standing member of the Victorian Government's Historic Shipwrecks Advisory Committee (HSAC); the Victorian government decreed a perpetual memorial award - called the Jack Loney Award - for outstanding contribution to maritime history in recognition of Loney's contribution to the preservation of Australia's shipwreck and maritime heritage. The Award is made only as occasion demands, with the recipient chosen by the Victorian Historic Shipwrecks Advisory Committee to the Heritage Council. Winners have included:

Australian shipwrecks series

As an amateur maritime historian he took over the writing and publishing of the most comprehensive reference series of books on maritime disasters in Australia from Charles Bateson the Australian Shipwrecks series.

Other works

A selection of his many other books and smaller booklets includes: