FULL PASSENGER LIST, SNIPPETS AND SUMMARY.

The Northern Miner, Wednesday 29 March, 1911.

THE MISSING YONGALA.

(By Telegraph.)

Mr. Pengelly, of this town, has a

brother, who is an engineer, on the

Yongala, but as his name does not

appear in the list, he has probably

escaped, by changing off his usual run.

Confirmed by final passenger list, below.

Among the Yongala's passengers

was Mr. W. Smith, father of Mr. Sam

Smith, grocer of Townsville, who had

left to visit the coronation. In response 

to a wire stating his daughter,

Mrs. E. Hooper, was very ill in the

hospital, he joined the Yongala on

her way up.

The Mrs. Manby who is mentioned

in the passenger list, had just returned 

from England, and her son had gone to 

Brisbane to meet her.

Two Towers men named Sutherland were 

also aboard.

When news was received of the

discovery in Cleveland Bay, Mr. 

Wareham said he did not think it likely

it came from the Yongala. In the first 

place the vessel had no coal baskets, 

and the oil drums might have come 

from any ship. As for the timber, he 

did not think any damage the vessel 

may have sustained would have been 

sufficient to allow lengths of timber to 

break out of her hold.

Mr. Wareham was proved wrong.

The passenger hitherto spoken of as

Nurse Magee, is the wife of Mr. B. J.

Magee, of Duffey Bros., Bundaberg,

and sister of D. J. Magee, of Chilaloe.

The passengers named Mr. and Mrs.

Manbey on board the Yongala, are

Mr. and Mrs. Manbey of Bluff Road.

mother and Son. Mrs. Manbey has

just returned from an eight months

trip to the Old Country, and her son,

Charlie, met her in Sydney to accompany 

her home, and they had the misfortune 

to strike the ill-fated vessel. The

missing lady was mother of Mrs. J. G.

Smith, Sadd'a Ridge, and also of Mr.

Andy Manbey,

TOWNSVILLE, March 28.

Several bags of produce have been

washed ashore at Cape Bowling Green

Lighthouse.

A telegram timed at 1.30, Brisbane,

states that the marks on the bags

have been identified as similar to a

consignment placed In the lower hold

of the steamer Yongala at Brisbane

for Townsville.

It is considered in shipping circles

that the fact of the cargo washed

ashore being identified as similar to

that consigned in the lower hold of

the Yongala, is ominous, and the 

gravest apprehension regarding the 

missing steamer is entertained.

The produce found is said to be

consigned to the people's Cash Store.

It consists of bran, pollard, pumpkins

and chaff.

AYR, March 28.

Tappendon, one of a party of three

living at the Anabranch, mouth of the

Burdekin River, came over to Ayr

this afteroon and reports they heard

a whistle and an explosion on Friday.

The sound came from between Cape

Upstart, and Cape Bowling Green.

They were not aware of the wreck

until this afternoon.

Whistle and explosion could equate with a distress socket signal and detonator. Perhaps poor visibility and distance obscured the associated flash of light. Or was the 'explosion' due to furnaces coming into contact with inrushing water.

MACKAY, March 27.

Mr. Greenfield, occulist, and Mr.

O'Brien were the only passengers

from Mackay.

The Yongala was last seen passing

Dent Island, which is situated at the

southern end of Whitsunday Islands.

There is a revolving light on this island

to guide shipping into the passage. 

Passing through the Whitsunday 

Passage, the Yongala would head for

Cape Gloucester. It was just here that

she would have entered the cyclonic

storm.

one

Among The passengers was Mrs.

Murray, wife of Mr. Murray, solicitor,

of Cairns, and sister of Mr. J. D.

Murray, wife of Mr. Murray, solicitor.

Mrs. Murray was accompanied by her

two sons and two daughters and Miss

Murray, who lately arrived from

Scotland, and whom they had been

meeting.

Mr. Walter Breckenridge, another

passenger to Townsville, has parents

at Lake's Creek.

BRISBANE, March 28.

The Yongala had her time well in hand, 

running on easy steam, as It was not 

necessary for her to arrive at Mackay 

until daylight.

A wire from Mackay stated that only

two passengers joined the Yongala

at Mackay, Mr. Ernest Greenfield, 

representative of Greenfield Bros.

opticians, and Mr. O'Brien, a commercial

traveller. Three passengers left the

steamer at Mackay, - J. E. Must, E.

Real, and Banner. This includes

steerage passenger.

Mr. O'Brien is probably C. J. O'Brien (yes), 

who is a country traveller for the 

Outridge PrintingCo. He was formerly 

in the employ of Penford's, Sydney, and 

is about 26 or 27, and not long married. 

His wife is a resident of Brisbane. Miss Carroll,

who was bound for Townsville, was

an employee of T. C. Beirne and Co.,

and was going North for the purpose

of seeing her sister, who was lying

on her death bed in the Convent at

Townsvlljie. She lost her mother

only a short time ago.

SYDNEY, March 28.

K. Williams, the chief officer of the

Yongala, had been in the service of

the Adelaide Co. for a good many

years, first in the Grantala, then on

to the Yongala. The Second Office,

H. B. Harden, has been in the 

company's employ for about 5 years. 

The Chief Engineer, G. H. Jarvis was 

an old servant of the company for many

years. He has filled similar a position on 

the Innamincka. Roberts, the purser, 

belonged to Newcastle. He is a single 

man, his parents died recently; he is the 

sole supporter of four younger members 

of his family.

The Chief Steward, E. Mawby, was 

formerly In charge of a department

in Sydney. He was married, but had

no family.

Captain Ellis, Marine Superintendent

of the Adelaide S.S. Co. to Sydney, 

states that the coast from Cape

Gloucester is well lighted and the north

head of Port Denison (Bowen) has a 

white and red fixed light, visible tor 11 miles.

Cape Bowling Green has a revolving

light visible for 14 miles; and Cape

Cleveland's revolving white and red

light can be seen for 20 miles.

The second saloon passengers were:

Townsville: 

Mr. and Mrs. Manbey, Messrs 

V. P. Thompson, B. Barclay,

C. H. Carraroy, K. Carrasco, 

H. Beckenridge, E. Schneider, 

W. Coade, H. Coade, P. and 

J Sutherland.

For Cairns: 

Messrs D. J. Jolly, Davis, 

A. Pianta, W. Griffiths, and

E. E. Parkhurst.

It may be added that Mrs. Gaffney

had booked a first saloon passage for

Innisfail at some time in advance,

but it was not known for certain if

she actually was on board.

She was not.

It was ascertained to-night there

was another passenger aboard the

Yongala in addition to the list already

given. This was Mr. William Smith,

who secured a ticket aboard the

steamer just as the vessel was leaving.

Smith was a resident of Charters'

Towers, had come to Brisbane to

travel by the Otway to England. While

in Brisbane, however, he received a

telegram from Chanter's Towers stating 

his daughter was dying. He cancelled his 

berth on the Otway and arrived at the 

wharf just as the Yongala was leaving, 

and at once left by her.

Another tragic footnote in the Yongala story.

Chatting about Capt. Knight, Mr. Wareham 

said it was just a week ago that he had 

lunch with the Captain. The Captain had 

introduced some of the first-class saloon 

passengers to him and bade him farewell

ten minutes before the vessel left the wharf.

MELBOURNE, March 29.

H. Harden, second engineer, is a son-

in-law of Capt. Thompson, master

of the company's coasting steamer,

Waringa. His wife resides in Sydney.

T. Jarvls, chief engineer, and oldest

officer in the engine room department

of the company, was for many years

a resident at Semaphore. He has 

been in most of the steamers of the

fleet.

The Chief Steward; E. Mawby, was

also well known at Pt. Adelaide, and

one of the senior stewards of the

company, and Mr. Williams, chief officer,

was there in 1907 as chief mate of the 

Rupara.

Although the telegraphed list gave

the name of J. Roberts, as purser, 

it is believed he is in a hospital at

Sydney, and that his place was taken

by A. L. Darling. formerly Purser In

the Marloo.

The list below includes Mr. Roberts and not Mr Darling. This is a significant error, if the report is correct.

Mr. Owen Thomas, who for some

years was Railway Station-master at

Adelaide, and has been in charge of

the Petersburg Station, one of the

most important posts in the service,

had a remarkable experience in 

connection with the Yongala. His 

annual leave was due, and he made 

arrangements for a trip to Cairns. 

He went by train to Sydney and joined 

the boat there, but on his arrival in 

Brisbane he found the balance of his 

period of leave was expiring, and 

decided to take the Yongala back to 

Sydney. Mr. Thomas arrived at 

Adelaide several days ago, and when 

the reporter interviewed him to-day 

and informed him that some cargo 

from the Yongala was being washed 

up on the coastline, he showed 

considerable emotion,, He stated 

that the run from Sydney to Brisbane 

was one of the most enjoyable trips 

he had experienced. He estimated 

there were about 25 in the saloon and 

about 60 in the other classes, and the 

run to Brisbane which occupied about 

43 hours, was full of enjoyment. One of 

the first men Mr. Thomas met was S. 

Mainwaring, a well-known mining

expert from Tasmania. He was 

journeying to Cairns in connection 

with a mining venture. He also met 

R. Stack, the Townsville representative 

of the Adelaide S.S. Co, a most 

congenial companion. Capt. Knight and 

the officers could not  do enough for the 

passengers. They were extremely popular 

with everybody on board,  and when not on 

duty devoted a large amount of their leisure 

time to providing entertainment.

What a fitting tribute.

I have obtained the complete list of passengers and crew on Yongala's fatal voyage with thanks to and courtesy of 'Ahoy - Mac's Web Log'          

http://ahoy.tk-jk.net/macslog/Themysteriousdisappearanc.html

First class saloon for Townsville.

1. Mr Matthew Rooney

2. Mrs Katherine Rooney

3. Miss Lizzie Rooney

4. Miss Ethel Amy Uhr, Matron, Townsville hospital

5. Miss Jean Buxton, Nurse, Townsville hospital

6. Mr John James Elsdale

7. Mrs Annie Eileen Elsdale

8. Mr Rudolph August Stach

9. Mr Francis Fothergill Viney

10. Miss Mary Josephine Carroll

11. Miss Mona Kathleen Shannon

12. Mr Willie Lin

13. Ms Emily Ada Davis

14. Mr John Campbell

15. Mr Ernest Greenfield

16. Mr Clifford James Hardin O'Brien

For Cairns

17. Mrs Charlotte Louisa Davids

18. Mrs Alice Minna Murray

19. Master Ian Sheppard Murray

20. Miss Alister Sheppard Murray

21. Miss Jean Alexander Murray

22. Miss Ailsa Mary Murray (Infant)

23. Mrs Mary Ann Linedale (Maid)

24. Mr Stephen Symons Reath

25. Mrs Margaret Frances Reath

26. Mr William James Fulton

27. Mr Albert Sutherland Dette

28. Mr T Parton

29. Mr S Manwaring

30. Miss Mary Annie Woodward

31. Mrs Hanora Gertrude Magee

Second class for Townsville

32. Mr O F Thompson

33. Mr Charles Manbey

34. Mrs Mary Ann Manbey

35. Mr W Barklay

36. Mr Octagavina Carrasco

37. Mr Jose Sareras

38. Mr Walter Francis Breckenridge

39. Mr Ernst Schneider

40. Mr Richard Thomas Coade

41. Mr Walter George Coade

42. Mr James John Sutherland

43. Mr Fraser Sutherland

44. Mr William Smith

For Cairns

45. Mr James Dempsey Jolly

46. Mr David Davies

47. Mr Pianta, Antonia

48. Mr W H Griffiths

49. Mr E E Parkhurst

CREW

50. Mr William Knight

51. Mr Richard Williams

52. Mr Harry Harden

53. Mr D Cameron

54. Mr George H Jarvis

55. Mr A F Hamilton

56. Mr John Donaldson

57. Mr Claude Miller

58. Mr A Lawrance

59. Mr E Mawby

60. Mr G A Harris

61. Mr W D Millar

62. Mr E McKenzie

63. Mr J Roberts

64. Mr S W H Emerson

65. Ms A S English

66. Ms M Lambrick

67. Ms S Andrew

68. Ms A Rentoul

69. Mr J H Shipton

70. Mr G H Reid

71. Mr J Elliott

72. Mr V Cross

73. Mr D Morrison

74. Mr J W Sullivan

75. Mr J Ward

76. Mr J Craig

77. Mr J Finlay

78. Mr A O Armstrong

79. Mr J E Costello

80. Mr F J Wingrove

81. Mr R W Cooks

82. Mr A P W Gordon

83. Mr G H Fox

84. Mr J West

85. Mr R Robertson

86. Mr W H McPherson

87. Mr J Gemmell

88. Mr P McAdle

89. Mr P Rankin

90. Mr T Howard

91. Mr W Houston

92. Mr W D Murray

93. Mr F E Voight

94. Mr A Uggddahl

95. Mr H Todd

96. Mr F Medcalf

97. Mr J Diamond

98. Mr J Grumbledon

99. Mr J Narrie

100. Mr C A Davison

101. Mr A Lillico

102. Mr J F Gallagher

103. Mr E A Rickson

104. Mr J A Reich

105. Mr G Goldsmith

106. Mr J Calvin

107. Mr O V Nelson

108. Mr J McGinnis

109. Mr E O Jones

110. Mr W Boylan

111. Mr R Woods

112. Mr H C Gale

113. Mr E H Freeston

114. Mr P Walsh

115. Mr J Johnston

116. Mr J MacDonald

117. Mr V R McDougall

118. Mr W Paton

119. Mr J L McNamara

120. Mr C S Doyle

121 Mr H Lewis

122 Mr S Donachie

Flat Top to Dent Island.

Yongala departed Flat Top, Mackay, 1.40 p.m., Thursday, 23 March. She was in relatively light / tender condition (somewhat top heavy). Cargo weight amounted to 29% of maximum load and 164 tons of stabilising pig iron ballast had been removed because it caused a jerky recovery uncomfortable for passengers.

Captain Knight elected to depart for Townsville despite strengthening wind from the southeast and a falling barometer. I believe the decision was based on an assumption that the weather system was coming up the coast, rather than one into which they would be steaming. 

There was no cyclone warning.

Heading north to Townsville and believing they could outrun the weather, Yongala made an average of 16 knots assisted by a 2 knot current. Yongala passed Dent Island, inside passage, Whitsundays, at about 5 p.m. (erroneously reported as 6 p.m.) and was subsequently confirmed to be seen by residents (witnesses) of Cannon Valley Beach, an hour's steaming from Dent Island and which coincided with dusk (as reported) +/- 6 p.m.. This was the riskier but quicker, inside passage passing between Armit and Gumbrell Islands. 

via Cannon Valley, Inside Passage.

Having cleared the Whitsundays without mishap, Yongala headed northwest in open water parallel with the coast and the outer Barrier Reef. She cleared Nares Rock without difficulty and arrived at a position 11.5 miles out from Cape Bowling Green Light, 17.7 miles from where Grantala lay anchored to the west due to deteriorating weather conditions.

We know from the chronometer time, 11.45 p.m. (conclusive in my opinion) and a wreck site within the large steamer track, that the disaster must have been sudden and catastrophic. Also, the time and site matches a plausible average of 16 knots (favourable 2 knot current confirmed by Captain Craig of the Yawata Maru).

My belief is that the intense cyclonic system +/- 15 miles in diameter was actually a hybrid cyclone (see image below) predominated by a gale from the south - the masters who experienced the storm reported gale force wind directions in keeping with this.

By the time Yongala was almost upon the eye of the cyclone, the gale would have shifted rapidly and violently from south to north, bringing the wind force to bear on the top heavy steamer's starboard bow and beam. 

Heading northwest, Captain Knight would have been confronted by an unfolding catastrophe and certain knowledge of Yongala's inability to recover quickly enough in such conditions. I believe he attempted to bring the steamer's bow into the gale. 

What followed must have been extreme and sudden in my opinion, Yongala capsizing within minutes within the large steamer track. The rudder is still in the half to starboard position and the wreck lies facing north. If there had been enough time for recovery, I assume the rudder would have been corrected to maintain the heading.

An explosion was heard by residents south of the disaster site, suggesting that the furnaces burning under full steam reacted to the cold sea water rushing in or the explosion of a distress socket signal.

The main hatch was compromised as the steamer foundered and lighter cargo in hold 3 liberated into the tumultuous sea. 

Passengers would no doubt have been confined to cabins due to conditions, essentially trapped as the disaster unfolded. 

I choose to believe that Yongala foundered so quickly there was little time for protracted suffering and Yongala's 122 souls now rest in peace, cosetted by some of the Coral Sea's most illustrious and doting residents.  

Dent Island to wreck site.

wreck site about 11.5 miles off Cape Bowling Green.

Max Gleeson presents an engaging theory based on dive observations that lifeboats on the starboard side of Yongala were swung out in preparation for evacuation of the ship rather than a sudden, extreme event. This might very well have been the case, however:

A great deal of wreckage was subsequently discovered after the disaster spanning large swathes of the coast from Cape Bowling Green to Palm Island in the north. No lifeboat(s) or section thereof from the starboard side were discovered. Only a section of lifeboat 1 from the port side was found, suggesting that no one escaped Yongala. Also, if there were preparations to get passengers off the ship, bodies wearing lifebelts would likely have been discovered adrift. Historians believe that most of the human remains are trapped within the hull.

A possible reason for starboard davits being in the 'swung out' position could be precautionary or due to forces associated with Yongala coming to rest on her starboard side. 

The following extract gives us an idea of the forces unleashed by the cyclone:

Cairns Post, 17 October, 1911. 

Captain McKenzie further stated that 

between Cape Upstart and Cape Bowling 

Green there is now visible in the bush the 

track of the awful south-west tornado, which

it is believed drove the Yongala out onto

Broadhurst Reef. For a width of fifteen miles

the whole of the trees, including many immense

ones, being torn out by the roots and levelled.

It is clear from this description that Yongala was subjected to an intense, narrow, system of formidable force, causing her to capsize rapidly. One could argue that such a force would have destroyed even the most 'stable' of vessels.


The Week, Brisbane, 31 March, 1911.

A veteran master mariner firmly adheres

to the belief that the vessel turned turtle

in the cyclone, and explains the fact that

the cargo mentioned had come ashore by

pointing out that it was quite likely that the 

cargo of the overturned vessel falling upon 

the hatches, would burst them open, the 

lighter portion finding its way to the surface.


courtesy Trove

For all readers with an in interest in this subject Max Gleeson's online video, 'Mystery of a Generation' is compelling and beautifully compiled.

http://www.maxgleeson.com/

courtesy Google Earth.