CAPTAIN SIM'S OPINION.

The Argus (Melbourne) Tuesday 13 June, 1911.

LOSS OF THE YONGALA.

Brisbane, Monday - the Marine Board

this morning continued its inquiry into the

loss of the steamer Yongala.

Captain Sim, commander of the Grantala, said 

that he had charge of the Yongala, four years 

ago, and would describe her as a very good 

sea boat indeed. He had no fault to find with 

her at all  (He would say that wouldn't he?). 

On the night of the loss of the Yongala he was 

coming south with the Grantala, and, finding 

the weather dirty put back to Cape Bowling 

Green and anchored. He did not believe that the

Yongala went on the reefs. He had formed no idea 

as to how she met her fate. He did not think it likely 

that Captain Knight could have taken the inside 

course between Armit and Gumbrell islands after 

passing Dent Island, because he could not 

have seen the islands. He thought it possible 

for the Yongala to have run across the vortex 

of the cyclone, but she might have struck something 

before getting clear. The weather was very thick 

that night. Captain Knight gave witness a course 

inside the islands, but he did not know if it was true 

as had been stated by the second officer, that 

Captain Knight always used that course in 

all weathers.

It does appear more and more that Captain Knight took risks. The sensible thing to be done in such 'dirty weather' was to anchor, as Captain Sim did. Captain Sim apparently accepted the limitations of the relatively top heavy Grantala (same as Yongala). Cape Bowling Green was VERY CLOSE to the scene of the Yongala disaster. Such a sad twist of fate that Yongala's twin sister was so near, but yet so far.

Armit and Gumbrell Islands are separated by 0.5 miles - very risky in 'thick weather'.