SUSAN ANDREW.

The Advertiser (Adelaide) Wednesday 5 April, 1911

STEWARDESS A HINDMARSH LADY.

Miss Susan Andrew, a stewardess on the

Yongala, was a resident of West Hindmarsh 

for ten years in the home of her

parents, who are now dead. In early life

she lived in the Gawler River district for

many years Her sister is a stewardess on

the steamer Ferret.

SS Ferret (courtesy wikipedia)

A DOUBLE TRAGEDY.

The Advertiser (Adelaide) Saturday 1 April, 1911.

A DOUBLE TRAGEDY.

The fate of Mrs. English, the chief

stewardess, it is stated, completes a double

tragedy of the sea. She was the widow of

Captain English, who was part owner of

the Glenelg, a little steamer running some

years ago between Melbourne and the

Gippsland lakes. The Glenelg foundered,

the captain was drowned, and only three

or four hands escaped. The Masonic Lodge

of which Captain English was a member

wished to establish his widow in business.

She declined the proffered assistance

preferring to follow the sea to earn a living

for herself and daughter. Miss English is

being educated in Melbourne.

Glenelg (courtesy Flotilla Australia)

NARES ROCK REVISITED.

The Advertiser (Adelaide) Saturday 1 April, 1911.

DID SHE STRIKE NARES ROCK?

A REMARKABLE DISCOVERY

Brisbane, March 31.

The steamer Queensland arrived at

Maryborough this afternoon from

Townsville. Captain Wilson reported that 

vessel left Townsville on Tuesday afternoon

for Maryborough. Moderate south-east to

southerly winds, with smooth seas, were

experienced throughout the trip. "On leaving 

Townsville he instructed everyone on board to

keep a keen look-out for signs of wreckage, 

and on Wednesday last, when passing Mount 

Roundback, some apples were seen floating 

about. At about 11.15 a-m. the same day, the 

Queensland was passing Nares Rock, when 

he noticed that the rock presented an 

appearance that differed from what he had 

been accustomed to for the past 36 years. 

During that time the rock had a black appearance, 

but on this occasion a patch of white was presented 

to view. The Queensland was hove-to, and a man 

dispatched in a boat to make close examination of 

the rock, and on his return to the steamer he 

reported having found a large new break on 

the southern side, and a number of large pieces 

of stone recently broken off were lying at the foot 

of Nares, with smaller pieces and a lot of splinters.

The rock appeared lo have been struck by

some heavy object or subjected to attack

by some high explosives. The fact that

Nares Rock is composed of hard blue

metal precludes the idea that the break

was caused by waves dashing against the

cliff. An examination was made at a low

water and the break was found to extend

right to the waters edge. The mate also 

picked up a handful of case-hardened bullets,

but they appeared to have been in the

water a considerable time. Captain Wilson 

expresses the opinion that the break

in the rock was not more than a week old.

He added that, deep water extended right

up to the rock.

A Customs officer at Mackay, who was

formerly stationed at Bowen, says that

for a number of years warships on the

Australian station when in northern

waters have used Nares Rock as a target

for gun practice, and he thinks this might

account for the break discovered by the

masters of the Queensland and Ouraka.

Mr. Wareham, manager of the Adelaide

Company, stated to-night that nothing had

been received from Cairns or Townsville

respecting the search for the Yongala. Mr.

Wareham said he had instructed the

Townsville office, in the event of the

Tarcoola failing to locate the wreck, to 

dispatch the company's small steamer 

Pelican aft daylight on Saturday to search the

reefs southwards from Keeper Reef right

down to the boulders off Cape Upstart, where 

the Gothenburg was wrecked. ''The Pelican," 

said Mr. Wareham, "is a small craft, and will be 

able to go right over the reefs."

Brisbane. March 31,

The mayor of Brisbane decided to-day to

call a meeting of citizens for Tuesday in

connection with the disaster to the Yongala 

to discuss means for showing practical

sympathy with those of the bereaved who

need assistance. The Governor sent a letter

to the mayor expressing his deep regret at

the loss of the steamer, and enclosed a

cheque for £10 as a contribution to the

mayor's fund.

The police patrolling Barratta Creek to

Cape Bowling Green picked up a case 

of pears north of Sheep Station Creek

branded S. and A. in red and T. in a black

circle.

VALUE OF WIRELESS.

The Advertiser (Adelaide) Saturday 1 April, 1911.

THE VALUE OF "WIRELESS." 

MR. HUNT URGES ITS ADOPTION.

Melbourne, March 31.

Mr. Hunt, the Federal Meteorologist,

suggests that the wreck of the Yongala

advances yet another argument for the 

general equipment of at least all passenger

steamers with a wireless installation, so that

vessels making long runs on the coastline

may be warned of the existence, approach,

or development, of dangerous weather

conditions. The department, he points out,

addressed a circular note to all companies

whose vessels carry wireless installation,

and has without exception received promises 

of co-operation. Owing to the absence of land 

stations, only one message has been received, 

which was followed up by an account for 50/. 

He advises that at the next meeting of the 

shipping interests the subject of co-operation 

with the department should be discussed, and 

its decision communicated to the Government.

The SS Waratah disappeared without trace off the South African coast mid 1909. She was not fitted with a Marconi wireless. Subsequent to the tragedy this important form of communication generated much attention, spurring legislators to make wireless compulsory on vessels of a certain size. 

This report raised a very important issue. It was no good installing wireless on vessels if there were no stations to receive or issue SOS's and warnings. Yes, vessels with wireless could communicate with one another but this had limitations given the fact that most steamers on the coastal route did not carry a Marconi.

It is also important to note in this regard that the Koombana, which disappeared without trace, exactly a year later, carried wireless to no avail. Only one lad station at Perth, more than 800 miles away.

1905 - Australia's Wireless Telegraphy Act - limited to ship navigation and land-based amateurs.

1906 - Marconi Company opened stations at Queenscliff (Australia) and East Devonport (Tasmania).

1910 - first ship-to-shore station, Sydney. 

1911 - second station opened roof of the Australia Hotel.

1912 - permanent stations opened Melbourne; Perth; Sydney; Hobart and Brisbane.

1913/1914 - many stations introduced for ship-to-shore services, including islands. 19 radio telegraph stations operating from Australia for ships at sea.

Guglielmo Marconi demonstrating his apparatus 1890's (courtesy wikipedia)

http://bpadula.tripod.com/australiashortwave/id11.html

FOUNDERED WITH ALL HANDS.

The Advertiser (Adelaide) Wednesday 1 April, 1911.

FOUNDERED WITH ALL HANDS.

GENERAL MANAGER'S VIEW.

Mr. E. Northcote, general manager of

the Adelaide Steamship Company, in 

Melbourne, interviewed on Wednesday, 

said it was evident that the Yongala had 

foundered with all hands during the recent 

bad weather on the Queensland coast. He

hardly thought that any lives would be

saved, as no boat could live for an instant

in the sea during a cyclonic disturbance.

The Yongala was built in 1903. Asked

how he accounted for the date ''1900" being

engraved near the word "Festina' on the

music-room door found by the Alert,

Mr. Northcote replied that the Adelaide

Steamship Company was incorporated in

1900, being reconstructed and an increase

made in the capital. The word "Festina"

was part of the company's crest and motto,

"Festina Lente," and the year 1900 was

engraved underneath. The door was an

inner one, opening into the music-room

from a landing off the promenade deck.

CASTAWAYS. SLENDER HOPE.

Questioned as to the probable locality of

the wreck, as indicated by the wreckage,

an officer who has for over 20 years been

trading regularly to Queensland ports, said 

Captain Knight, on emerging from the

shelter of Hook Island, would haul round

to the north-north-east. The site of the

wreck must be one of the reefs fringing

the Barrier Reef. At the commencement

of a storm on that portion of the coast,

the wind blew from the south-east. That

would account for wreckage having been

found as far up as Keepers' Reef. The

currents varied daily, setting north with

the ebb and south with the flood-tide.

It is strange that this experienced officer suggested that Yongala would have 'hauled' round to the 'north-north-east', after leaving the shelter of Hook Island. If one looks at the image below, this would be heading away from Yongala's destination, towards the Barrier Reef.  

THE CYCLONE.

The Advertiser (Adelaide) 1 April, 1911.

THE YONGALA'S FATE.

NOT A VESTIGE OF HOPE.

"Not a vestige of hope is held out for

the return of the Yongala, and she has

evidently been torn asunder by the 

treacherous rocks of the Barrier Reef. 

The discovery of further wreckage 

confirms the worst fears of the owners 

of the vessel. Probably it will be left to 

such inanimate objects as the door of 

the music-room mutely to tell the sad 

story of the drowning of the 130 persons 

on board the ill-fated steamer. The 

Adelaide Steamship Company's officials 

in each State, are fully satisfied that the 

Yongala has been wrecked.

The only further news received by the

Adelaide secretary of the Adelaide 

Steamship Company yesterday was 

a telegram that the steamer Tarcoola 

was continuing her search from 

Flinder's Passage to Cairns, and 

was expected to arrive at Cairns on 

Friday afternoon. A fierce cyclonic 

storm has been raging this week 

along the coast in the vicinity of 

Cairns. The wind is reported to be of 

almost hurricane force, accompanied by 

a downpour of driving rain. This cyclone 

will still further scatter the remnants of the 

Yongala, if such previously were jammed 

on a reef or in some such position. The 

tempestuous weather prevailing would 

break any wreck in its sphere of influence.

Speaking with regard to the weather over

Australia generally, Mr. Griffiths, the 

Assistant Meteorologist in Melbourne, 

said on Thursday, that the outstanding 

feature of the map was a tropical 

cyclonic development that had 

developed on the north-east coast 

of Queensland. "Within the last few 

hours," said Mr. Griffiths, "the storm 

has increased considerably in 

energy. Strong gales, accompanied 

by heavy rain is to be expected and 

shipping on that part of the coast 

should be prepared for some trying 

experience. The rough conditions 

are likely to extend southwards 

down the New South Wales coast."

The point is well made that the cyclone associated with the loss of the Yongala was severe and could increase in intensity in a matter of a few hours. 

AVERAGED 11.2 / 12.7 / 16.5 KNOTS?

QUEENSLAND.

MISSING STEAMER YONGALA.

BRISBANE, Monday. — The

steamers Taroola and Suraka have

been sent out to search for the

missing steamer Yongala. The 

Suraka returned to port after an 

unsuccessful search, but started out

again.

The following notice appears on

the Devonport telegraphic shipping

board: — 'Brisbane advises on Sunday

— 'Townsville reports at 10.20 a.m.

that the SS Yongala left Flat Top

(Mackay) for Townsville at 1.40 p.m.

on March 23, and has not since been

heard of.' ' Flat Top is 208 miles

from Townsville, and the Yongala 

belongs to the Adelaide Steamship .Co.,

which trades from Fremantle, in

Westralia. right round the Australian

coast line via Adelaide, Melbourne,

and Sydney to Cairns in Queensland.

The distance between Mackay and Dent Island is roughly 55 nautical miles. If Yongala departed Mackay at 1.40 pm and was sighted from the Dent Island Light at 6.35 pm, we can calculate that she averaged 11.2 knots, which was well below average with the wind behind the steamer and no sense of urgency, given the falling barometer. 

Seems highly unlikely!!

If we take the sometimes press reported time of 6.00 p.m., Dent Island, we get an average speed of 12.7 knots. Again this was sub optimal for a steamer with Yongala's 17 knot potential.

If, we take 5.00 p.m., Dent Island ( I shall return to the reason for this in coming posts), we get 16.5 knots which makes more sense in the context of Yongala's potential and the urgency of a serious storm brewing. 

Given that Yongala's chronometer indicated 11.45 p.m. as the time of the disaster (subjected to flooding and excessive pressure through sinking) and the wall clock stopped at 12 midnight, an interesting scenario manifests. 

The distance from Dent Island to the site of the wreck is 105.5 miles via Grassy Island (inner, inside passage). We have three options again:

- Dent Island 6.00 p.m. to 11.45 p.m. = 5.75 hours, giving an average of 18.34 knots which was beyond the sustained limit of Yongala's engine.

- Dent Island 6.35 p.m. to 11.45 p.m. = 5.17 hours, giving us an average of 20.4 knots, which is ridiculous.

- Dent Island 5.00 p.m. to 11.45 p.m. = 6.75 hours, giving us an average of 15.6 knots which is entirely realistic and allows some leeway for the catastrophic, sudden foundering of the steamer.

We shall return to this controversial and highly significant analysis anon.