SS GEELONG, CYCLONE.

The following extract gives us an impression of the force of cyclones along the stretch of coast where Yongala foundered. The account started on Wednesday, 15 February, 1888 and ended in tragedy, Friday, 17 February. The storm system dragged on for three days in a swathe from Townsville to Carlisle Island - roughly 165 n miles. The winds, much like in the case of the Yongala, predominated from the south, and a dropping barometer signaled progression and worse to come. The SS Geelong, built in 1856, was a combination passenger/cargo steamer of 431 tons. Once caught in these 'cyclones' options were limited and in this case Captain Junner beached his steamer as a last resort.

The Argus, Melbourne, Tuesday 21 February, 1888.

The Geelong left Townsville on Wednesday

for Brisbane via Mackay, having on board

Mr John Bridge and about 12 steerage

passengers. Mr Bridge gives the following

account of the wreck of the Geelong - "I

left Townsville on Wednesday by the Geelong. 

The wind was then blowing rather heavily from 

the south with increasing force, and the progress 

of the vessel was consequently rather slow. The 

following day (Thursday) the weather was extremely 

rough. After passing through Whitsunday Passage

the storm was so violent that the Geelong made little 

progress. She was therefore brought to under the 

shelter of an island. The wind was then from the south, 

and  increasing every minute, but the water where the 

steamer was lying was comparatively calm. On Friday 

morning the storm was increasing, and it was impossible, 

by reason of the heavy driving rain and the sea breaking

over the vessel, to see the island, although we were quite 

close. The barometer was still falling between 3 and 4 

o'clock in the afternoon, showing that a worse storm had

yet to be experienced. The captain was in doubt as to the 

best course to pursue, as the storm was increasing and 

the anchors were dragging, the sea was breaking right

over the vessel, and night was coming on. He made 

various attempts to gain better shelter, but without avail. 

Finally he decided to beach the vessel in order to save

the lives of those on board, and at about 7 o'clock he ran 

her ashore on the island. The storm was so furious that I 

think, but for this action the steamer would certainly have

foundered. She went ashore pretty gently, there being about 

100 yards of water between the beach and the vessel when 

she struck. Captain Junner, without the slightest hesitation, 

jumped into the sea with a heaving line round his waist to 

which was attached a wire rope. This he made fast to the

shore, and by this means most of the crew and passengers 

were taken from the vessel. The captain went backwards

and forwards along the line, and never for one moment 

flagged in his exertions to save the lives of those under his 

charge. The engineer and a seaman tried to get ashore 

in a boat, but were immediately swamped  and drowned. 

The stewardess, in getting ashore, let go the rope, and 

was subsequently washed onto the beach in an insensible 

condition.

She revived after a few hours, and stated that

she was quite unconscious of what had taken

place after leaving the steamer's side. I did

not go ashore myself, but preferred to remain

on the vessel, as she seemed to be holding

together fairly well. l I stayed in my cabin

most of the time, until the storm increased

to such a height that I thought it advisable

to get on to the bridge, so as to be ready if 

the worst happened. I had the utmost difficulty 

in getting safely to the bridge, as the sea was 

washing right over the vessel, and I was knocked 

down several times, besides receiving severe 

blows from the wreckage which was being washed

about the deck. Soon after leaving my cabin, which 

was situated on the deck, it was washed away, and 

with it the whole of my baggage. I was left with the 

fur rug I had on me. I put a lifebelt round me, and 

remained on the bridge all night. As each person who 

went ashore by the line disappeared over the ship's side, 

it was quite impossible to see or know whether he had 

made the land in safety.  At about daylight the storm 

abated, and some of the passengers came back to 

look for their luggage. The You Yangs appeared at about 

9 am, on Saturday, and lay off the scene of the wreck

until 10 o'clock. The sea was then calm, and those who 

wished were taken on board the You Yangs. Captain Junner 

exhibited courage and presence of mind of the highest

order throughout the whole affair. He was about the only 

man on board who seemed to know what to do, and he 

behaved like a Briton.

His behaviour was quite on a par with his action in connection 

with the wreck of the Cahors when he was mate of the Burwah.

One of the officers and a few of the crew remained on the vessel 

instead of going ashore."

Fortunately the cargo of the Geelong this trip was small, 

consisting of nine and a half tons of sugar, one ton of tin ore, 

some bananas, and a few empty cases. The Geelong is lying 

on the rocks at the island with a boulder through her bottom, 

but it is considered possible that she may be got off at high tide. 

The captain of the You Yangs left provisions for those who remained 

in charge of the Geelong. 

Yesterday Mr Fairland telegraphed to Mackay for the agents to send 

the tender Iceberg to the scene of the wreck.

SS Geelong - courtesy wrecksite.eu