YONGALA MYSTERY SOLVED.

The Courier-Mail, Brisbane, Monday 19 July, 1954.

Corvette 'solved'

Yongala mystery

The 3500-ton Yongala was reported to have disappeared in a

cyclone between Bowen and Townsville on March 23, 1911,

but it has also been suggested that the ship sank near 

Rockhampton.

E. J. Whereat (C-M 28/6/54) says that the

Yongala disappeared in a cyclone between Bowen

and Home Hill.

Might I add that various

vessels searched for the

Yongala after she had been

reported missing.

The Yongala left Mackay

Anchorage at 1.40 pm on

March 23, 1911, and passed

Dent Island (in the middle of

Whitsunday Passage) at 6.30

pm the same day.

The ss Cooma left the same

anchorage a few hours later,

but by the time she arrived

at the passage the weather

was so thick that she was

compelled to anchor.

The ss Grantala, a sister

ship, left Townsville the

same evening, and was 

compelled to anchor at Cape

Bowling Green. Both these

ships and crews were thus

probably saved.

The ss Tarcoola and other

vessels unsuccessfully searched

for some weeks.

Found 'patch'

More than 30 years later,

one of our corvettes on a

passage from Townsville to

Brisbane, when off Cape

Bowling Green, found a patch

of shoal water with six

fathoms, among 12 and 14

fathoms soundings.

She steamed over the patch

numerous times and it 

coincided with the exact 

dimensions of the Yongala 

in length and breadth. It has 

since been surmised that the

mystery of where she foundered 

has been solved.

This obstruction is shown

on our charts 084 degrees 11

miles from Cape Bowling

Green Lighthouse, and is dead

on the track of ships bound

for Townsville — R. G. Ledley,

553 Vulture Street, East Brisbane.

Beach 'finds'

WHEN the Yongala was

wrecked in March, 1911,

I was living in Ingham, which

was long before the advent of

the railway to those parts.

On the following week-end,

I was one of a party who 

patrolled Halifax Beach, 25 miles

north of Townsville, and

picked up two mail bags intact; 

also what appeared to

be the top of a piano stool

bearing the steamer's name.

I also later received two

personal letters from Brisbane, 

and handled several business 

letters that came out

of the ill-fated ship. The party

also counted 80 bags of onions

which had been washed ashore

in the area. — Victor Short,

Kilcoy.

Heard shot

A box of hats for McKimmin 

and Richardson of Townsville, 

a suit case belonging to Mrs. 

Manbys, of Charters Towers, 

passengers' luggage, a music 

room door and a cribbage board, 

bearing the name Yongala, were

washed up on the beach at

Palm Island, owned at that

time by a Mr. Butler.

At 9 am on the day the

ship was reported missing,

Mr. T. Mitton and I were

shifting some of his cattle to

high ground when we heard

three loud blasts of a ship's

whistle and a shot 'like a dis

tress signal.' I swam the

Hannah branch of the lower

Burdekin and went to Ayr,

about 10 or 12 miles, and 

reported this to the Post Office, 

from where a message

was sent to Harbour Master at

Townsville.

From where we were, the

direction would be east of

Cape Bowling Green. — E. Tappenden, 

31 Manson Parade,Yeronga.

Whether the loud blasts were heard at 9 am or 9 pm this did not coincide with the final moments of the Yongala. But it is intriguing nonetheless.

none Help

FINALLY, CULPABILITY.

The Advertiser, Adelaide, Thursday 30 March, 1911.

THE YONGALA'S PROBABLE 

TRACK. 

DESCRIPTION OF THE COASTLINE. 

Captain D. Kerr, master of the Adelaide 

Steamship Company's steamer Marloo, 

which arrived at Port Adelaide from Western 

Australian ports on Wednesday evening, 

heard with deep regret the news of 

the missing steamer Yongala. Captain 

Kerr was for a long time engaged on the 

Queensland coast, and when asked for a 

description of the track usually taken by 

steamers, he said: 

"The usual track from Dent Island is 

to steer half a mile off the Dent Island 

lighthouse. Then to steer a various course 

in passing the many islets in a north-west 

direction until past Gloucester Head, one 

and a quarter miles distant, which is at 

the northern entrance to Whitsunday 

Passage. From there a direct course is taken 

north-west for about 70 miles, which carries 

the vessel to about six miles off Cape 

Bowling Green Lighthouse. The steamer 

then steers northwest for about 28 miles 

which would bring her to the Cape 

Cleveland lighthouse. Cape Cleveland 

forms one of the sides of Cleveland Bay, 

in which Townsville is situated. A further run 

from the cape of ten miles takes 

the vessel into Townsville Harbor. 

Captain Kerr called it as it was. No more beating about the bush about the inshore, inside route taken by masters of coastal steamers. This was the very thing the Inquiry wanted to avoid. But not only did Captain Kerr call them out, he provided confirmation with detailed instructions (directions).

It is interesting to note that the Yongala wreck is 11 miles off Cape Bowling Green and the course, as described, was 6 miles off the coast. This suggests that Yongala was 5 miles out of her course, further out to sea.  

Following the ordinary fine weather course as 

described the vessel would pass Nares' 

Rock, five and a half miles to the westward 

of that danger. When abreast of 

Cape upstart, the inner edge of the Barrier Reef 

would be about 13 miles distant, 

and the Queensland coastline about 10 miles

distant. 

The Barrier Reef is the nearest 

submerged danger. It is covered with 

boulders, partly dry at half ebb time. At 

high water these boulders are completely 

covered. There is deep water close to 

the reef. From abreast of Cape Upstart, 

fairly clear water is met with until in the 

vicinity of Cape Bowling Green, off which 

three to three and a half miles from the 

mainland there are some outlying reefs. 

This is interesting. There was an immediate threat off Cape Bowling Green in the form of outlying reefs, 3.5 miles out. Under normal circumstances, masters set a course 6 miles off the coast at this point, allowing a slim margin of 2.5 miles. 

When Yongala went down 11 miles off Cape Bowling Green the course might very well have been intentional, giving Captain Knight sea-room to maneouvre and avoid running aground. Deeper water would also have been the choice in severe storm conditions.

But anything beyond this brought the Barrier Reef into sharp focus, another imminent threat.

Nares' Rock is only 26 ft. high, and therefore 

is very dangerous. Holbourne Island, 

close by, is 360 ft. high. I do not wish to 

theorise as to the fate of the Yongala." 

Within the reef along the coast there is 

generally a calm sea, owing to the reef 

acting as a breakwater. The inside route 

is one that requires careful navigation, 

particularly at night, when the reef cannot 

be discerned at a greater distance than 

half a mile. In daylight it is said to be visible 

at a distance of four miles from the bridge 

and seven from the rigging. Sailing vessels 

which take the inner passage usually anchor 

at night for safety. 

Again the point is well made that this was a dangerous route in conditions of poor visibility. But Captain Knight was experienced and able to find the sensible middle course.

Steaming from Mackay to Townsville, a 

distance of 208 miles, the coastline is 

studded with numbers of small islands, 

and in thick weather navigation is extremely 

difficult. Shortly after leaving Mackay several 

small groups of islands, the largest being the 

Blacksmith group, are encountered. These are 

not difficult to avoid in clear weather, but if the 

atmosphere be at all hazy great care has to 

be taken owing to the strong currents. 

Dent Island, mentioned in the telegrams, 

lies at the southern entrance to Whitsunday 

Passage, and is provided with a lighthouse. 

It was from this lighthouse (says the Melbourne 

"Argus") that the Yongala was last seen. It is a 

matter for regret that there is no telegraphic 

communication between the lighthouse and 

the mainland. Between Dent Island and the 

Queensland coast is a small islet called 

Pine Island. Whitsunday Passage at this 

spot is only two and a half miles wide. 

Behind Pine Island is Cod Bay, a sheltered 

harbor, often used by ships in bad 

weather. The search vessels expected to 

find the Yongala in this bay. 

Contrary to previous press information, Dent Island did not have direct communication with the mainland which might explain why the warning of a cyclone off Bowen was not relayed to Flat Top AND Dent Island. 

If Dent Island had received the warning, this could have been relayed to Yongala via flag signals - daylight (5.00 p.m.) and reasonable visibility at that stage. 

It is a further likely reason why the Inquiry insisted that Yongala passed Dent Island at 6.35 p.m. well after dark and because Dent did not have Morse, a warning could not have been issued to the steamer rendering direct communications with the mainland a moot point.

This was clearly a weak link in the culpability of Queensland State. There should have been communications between Dent Island and the mainland and there should have been a Morse lamp. 

Perhaps this is why Adelaide, the port of register for Yongala, insisted that the Inquiry be conducted in Brisbane.

Come on Queensland, own up to your share of culpability in this disaster!!

'DON'T WORRY MOTHER.'

The Advertiser Adelaide, Thursday 30 March, 1911.

"DON'T WORRY, MOTHER." 

YOUNG STEWARD'S LETTER HOME. 

One of the stewards of the Yongala, 

Mr. William Murray, aged 18 years, 

is a son of Mr. John Murray, an engine 

driver in the employ of the South Australian 

Railway Department, residing at 

Commercial road, Yatala. On the day 

the vessel left Brisbane the lad wrote home 

to his mother, saying, "Don't worry, 

mother. I am on a good ship, and after 

six months' service I will come home and 

obtain a position on land." The boy's 

mother is at present dangerously ill, and 

the other members of the family, on that 

account, had kept her ignorant of the vessel's 

disappearance. When the news came through 

that some of the cargo had been 

found on Cape Bowing Green beach they 

decided to break the sad news. With a 

desire to see the world the lad had 

expressed his intention of joining a boat 

bound for England. His mother, however, 

prevailed upon him not to go so far away, 

and he decided to join the Yongala. The 

boy's father is an engine driver between 

Glanville and the Outer Harbor. He is 

popular in the service, and highly respected. 

For many years he was a driver 

on the north line. 

Mr. William Murray, prior to going to sea, 

was initiated, with his father, as a 

member of the Good Samaritan Lodge.

SUMMARY ARTICLE - 1931

Bowen Independent, Thursday 5 May, 1931.

LOSS OF THE S. S.

“YONGALA”

IN 1911 CYCLONE.

DISAPPEARS WITH 217 PERSONS

ON BOARD.

By GEORGE TURNER.

On Thursday 23rd March, 1911, a

special forecast was posted at Bowen

Post Office at 5 p.m. notifying the public 

that a cyclone was imminent and

was travelling in the direction of Bowen. 

Although no official cyclone warning was issued at any time by the Commonwealth, centralised Meteorological Bureau in Melbourne, a local warning was issued, which in turn was communicated to Brisbane and thence back to Flat Top. None of these warnings were received in time for Yongala or Grantala.

At. 7 p.m. the wind increased to gale force 

and continued throughout the night but 

abated towards morning and veered 

from S.E. to W. It was found that no 

very serious damage had occurred 

but several outhouses were unroofed 

or collapsed and all telegraph lines were 

interrupted with one exception and 

communication by wire or mail was 

seriously delayed. The rain fell for 

24 hours was 400 locally and Proserpine 

reported 770 points. Floods occurred on 

the railway and Bolmwaha train could not 

get beyond Salisbury and had to return to 

town. The citrus crop, which was then well 

forward, suffered serious damage, most of 

the fruit being shaken off and many trees up

rooted from floods and wind. The A.U.S.N. 

Coy’s office, then on the beach at the foot 

of Herbert Street, was.badly knocked about 

and all books and stationery injured from 

driving rain and spray. The steamer “Grantala” 

which left Townsville at 4 p.m. on Thursday ran 

into a cyclone and took shelter, under Cape 

Bowling Green and did not reach Bowen until 

3 p.m. on Friday.

Passengers describing their experience,

stated that they had a very bad time

and considered themselves lucky that

the ship had come through the storm.

They had seen nothing of the Yongala,

the sister ship belonging to the same

service, which had left the anchorage

at Flat Top before the storm warning

reached her. She was making for 

Townsville and Cairns and carried 136

passengers and 81 of a crew. On Saturday 

when it was ascertained the Yongala had 

not reached Townsville or been sighted on 

the way serious fears for her safety began 

to be expressed and steps were taken to 

ascertain her fate. Dent Island Lighthouse 

reported her as passing there at 6 p.m. on 

Thursday .and residents at Cannon Valley

Beach saw her pass there just as darkness 

was setting in and the night promising to be 

a very stormy one. The local police were 

instructed to search the beaches in the 

neighbourhood and did so but found no 

wreckage. The steamer Ouraka arrived at 

Bowen at 3 p.m. on Friday after searching 

from Townsville without  success. She proceeded 

as far as Mackay and returned North searching 

the outer reef. The Tarcoola passed Bowen at 

5 p.m. on Thursday searching from Mackay to

Holborn Island and returned later to

the pilot station and signalled that she

had found no trace of the missing

steamer. It was then reported that

the tug Alert from Townsville had

picked up wreckage one mile south of

Cape Bowling Green. Mr. Lyons, the

local Harbour Master was instructed to

send the Tarcoola and Belief to that

locality. They left at daylight next

morning, also Mr. Blee’s motor launch

with the owner, Mr. Barton and pilot,

crew on board. Mr. Switzer, Pilot, reported 

from Cape Bowling Green their arrival there 

but that no wreckage had been picked up. 

The Alert on her return  to Townsville reported 

definitely that she had found fresh wreckage 

belonging to the Yongala Including a cabin trunk, 

a lifebuoy marked s.s."Yongala'’ and the message 

stated that all hope of the safety of the ship 

had been abandoned. Further search about

17 miles N.E. of Cape Cleveland revealed a 

half door belonging to the music door, 4 hatch 

gratings, feather pillow, and a small walnut 

cabinet with two drawers badly battered. A

mail hamper was also picked up containing 

a parcel identified as having been sent by a 

Brisbane firm by the Yongala’s mail. A quantity

of other wreckage was also sighted but the 

rough sea prevented its recovery. A search along

the beach about one mile from Cape Bowling 

Green revealed 2 bags of chaff, 2 bags of pollard, 

1 bag of pumpkins, 1 bag bran; 2 cases kerosene, 

a lifebuoy, without marks, 2 bath room gratings, 

2 pillows marked A.S. Cos., part of a cabin trunk, 

a long board evidently part of a cabin fitting, 

10 feet oar, upper half of glass door, hamper 

of mails and a case of oil marked IT.M.S. over

Cairns. It was„at first reported that the vessel 

had struck Nares Bock near Holborn Island and 

some evidence was given in support of this surmise 

when a brass ring was found embedded in

the rock but on examination at Brisbane it was 

declared to be a gas ring from a big gunshell 

probably fired at the rock by some war vessel 

having target practice. Many residents of

Bowen and other North Queensland towns 

had relatives on the ill-fated vessel and the 

search was continued privately and by the 

Government for months afterward but the 

actual cause of the disaster has never been 

definitely settled. No bodies were ever recovered

and the position, time and cause of her loss

remains a mystery.

And so it was - Yongala entered the annals of great maritime mysteries. The wreck was discovered and is now a popular diving site. Yongala is largely (and beautifully) intact which suggests that the gale and seas of that stormy night overwhelmed the tender steamer, taking her quickly to the bottom roughly 11 n miles off Cape Bowling Green. 

Yongala did not strike rock or reef.

Although there have been suggestions that Captain Knight took risks (eg. Glanworth disaster) I believe that circumstances were against him 23 March, 1911. He passed through the inshore, inside passage, Whitsunday Islands, at a time when visibility was adequate and a gale starting to mount from the south (8 knots). He believed that a storm system was coming up from behind and attempted to outrun it, not realising that he was steaming into the heart of a hybrid cyclone.

The Adelaide Steamship Company were in the business of providing relatively top heavy steamers to service coastal ports, many of which had limited draught access. There was a demand for luxurious accommodation - elevated - and substantial cargo transportation. Such cargo, particularly refrigerated, was dependent on seasonal factors and there were times when their steamers operated without full component of dead weight. This was a fact of business and not a reflection on risk-taking.

The 164 tons of pig iron will remain an issue of sensitive controversy. It served a purpose but created an uncomfortable passage for wealthy commuters. The company was between a rock and a hard place in this regard and elected to restore Yongala to her inherently tender condition which created a far more favourable rolling pattern. But it took exceptional storm conditions to reveal the harsh reality that relative tenderness did have fatal limitations.

Cargo was transported on deck which probably in large part was due to the limited loading and off-loading facilities at various ports, including Flat-top. I do not believe it was reckless 'laziness' but a necessity to maintain strict tide-controlled schedules and ease of access. It was an issue which should have received more attention at the Inquiry, which I have come believe, was biased in favour of the coastal service. The Court was fully aware of limitations and accepted that great expense would he required to upgrade service ports along both the Queensland and Northwest coasts. These changes would come in time but would require great investment of resources.

The need for further lighthouses was aired and communication between these facilities and passing steamers improved with the increased deployment of morse-lamp signalling apparatuses. Wireless communication on board steamers was to be incrementally introduced and complimented by development of land-based stations. I do not believe a wireless on board Yongala would have been of any help at all, March 1911 due to the limitations of land-based stations and fellow steamers carrying sets.

I believe there were errors in the timeline and Yongala could not have been sighted off Dent Island at 6.30 pm, 23 March, for the simple reason that in order for her to cover the roughly 100 n miles to her final position, which was confirmed at 11.45 pm by the chronometer discovered at the wreck site, she would have to have maintained a ridiculous 19 knots - very difficult to maintain even with a favourable 2 knot current. 

I believe Yongala was sighted by the residents of Cannon Valley at about 6.00 pm passing through the inner, inside passage. The storm had not yet struck (use of the word 'promise') and visibility was reasonable - it was a fair judgment call on the part of Captain Knight. I believe all of the above was an attempt on the part of the Court to suggest that Captain Knight had used the outside passage for fear of repercussions. 

I'm sure many of the families of those lost felt short-changed by the Inquiry, but as in the case of the Waratah, there was not one shred of physical evidence confirming what had caused Yongala to founder and where. The Court were severely limited in this regard and used it to its advantage.

Fix this te