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courtesy Max Gleeson. |
GROK
The image shows a large, circular object encrusted with marine growth, likely from the wreck of the SS Yongala, which sank in March 1911 during a storm off Townsville. Given the era and the context of a steamer's cargo, the "wheel" in the bottom cargo space could be a large flywheel or a component of industrial machinery.
In 1911, steamships like the SS Yongala were often used to transport goods and equipment for industries such as mining, agriculture, or manufacturing, which were booming in Australia at the time. A flywheel—a heavy, rotating wheel used to maintain momentum in machinery—would fit the description of a "wheel" in the cargo hold. Flywheels were common in steam engines, generators, or other industrial equipment of that period, often used in mines or factories to smooth out the power delivery of machinery. They were large, heavy, and circular, matching the appearance in the image, especially after decades underwater with marine encrustation.
Another possibility could be a large pulley wheel or a component of a locomotive, as railways were expanding in Australia during this period, and such parts might have been shipped to support infrastructure development. However, a flywheel is the most likely given its common use in industrial machinery of the time and the context of a steamer's cargo.
So, the "wheel" is most likely a flywheel or a similar industrial component, possibly destined for mining or manufacturing operations in Townsville or nearby regions.
Dredge component?
Yes, the "wheel" in the SS Yongala's cargo hold could plausibly be a component of a dredge, given the era and context. In 1911, dredging was a common activity in Australia, particularly in ports like Townsville, which was a growing hub for trade and industry. Dredges were used to deepen harbors, clear channels for shipping, or extract materials like sand or gravel for construction and mining.
The "wheel" in the image—large, circular, and heavily encrusted after decades underwater—could be a cutter wheel or a bucket wheel, both key components of dredges from that period. A cutter wheel, used in cutter-suction dredges, would have been a large, rotating disc with blades to break up sediment, while a bucket wheel, found in bucket-wheel dredges, would consist of a series of buckets on a rotating wheel to scoop up material. Both types were in use by the early 20th century, often made of heavy steel to withstand tough conditions, and their size and shape align with the object in the image.
Townsville's port would have required regular dredging to maintain navigable depths for steamers like the SS Yongala, and northern Queensland's mining industry, including gold and tin dredging, was active at the time. The SS Yongala's cargo manifest might have included such equipment to support these operations. While a flywheel for industrial machinery (as mentioned earlier) remains a strong candidate, a dredge component like a cutter or bucket wheel is a reasonable alternative, especially considering the maritime and industrial needs of the region in 1911.