'SUPERB SEAGOING QUALITIES IN HEAVY WEATHER'.

I have decided to start a blog on the SS Yongala (1903 - 1911) because it fascinates me. There is a vast array of exceptionally well researched and presented material on the subject, both online and in book form. My intention is not to reinvent the wheel but rather, with the help of Australia's extraordinary Trove site and the Inquiry Report, to learn about the steamer and circumstances leading up to her loss in March of 1911 and the aftermath. My interest is born out of a deep attachment to the SS Waratah tragedy and it will come naturally to make comparisons. Join me as I take first tentative steps into the world that was SS Yongala.

The Argus Melbourne, Friday 4 December, 1903

NEW INTERSTATE STEAMER

ARRIVAL OF THE YONGALA

The Adelaide S.S. Co's new steamer Yongala,

which is intended for the West Australian trade,

arrived at the wharf yesterday afternoon, on her

maiden voyage from home. The vessel was

constructed for the company by the famous

builders, Sir W G Armstrong Whitworth and Co,

at their yards Newcastle-on-Tyne. While not nearly

so large as the A.U.S.N. Co's liners, Kyarra and

Kanowna, she is of much greater size than most

coastal traders, her gross tonnage being 3700 tons,

and her principal dimensions as follows:

length 363 ft., breadth 45 ft., and depth 30 ft..

A.U.S.N. - Australian United Steam Navigation Company (1887 - 1961)

3664 gross tons

1825 net tons

350 ft. length

45.2 ft. beam

27.2 ft. depth of hold
30.5 ft. hull depth
24 ft. draft
6.5 ft. freeboard

She has two masts and one funnel, and looks

exceedingly well, although there is almost an

entire absence of strake about her. The manner

in which the wants of passengers have been

studied leaves nothing to be desired, and the

vessel promises to rapidly become a favourite

with the travelling public. The vessel is fitted

for accommodation for 110 first class and 130

second class passengers. She has a poop, forecastle

and long citadel house amidships.

Citadel house = Bridge house / deck with superstructure above.

Strake refers to the longitudinal run of steel plating covering the hull. (wikipedia) 

The deck above the citadel house is carried out to

the ships's side, and forms a spacious and airy promenade,

on which is placed a tier of deck houses, containing

drawing room, saloon entrance, staterooms and smoking room.

Above this again is the boat deck, upon which are

placed the captain's room and chart room, wheel house

with flying bridge above.

Entering from the promenade deck, large doors give access

to an entrance lobby from which folding doors can open

into the drawing room, and a wide staircase leads down

to the dining saloon.The staircase is further continued

into a large space below the saloon, which has been

arranged as a dining room for children. This room is

surrounded by first class staterooms, and two passages

lead aft to a whole range of passenger accommodation,

which occupies the full length of the 'tween deck.

Special attention has been paid to ventilation,

not only in the staterooms but in all the passages

into which they open. In the 'tween decks the passages

terminate in a hall, from which a staircase gives

access to the second class drawing and dining

saloons. These apartments are fitted in teak and

mahogany, the former containing a first class

piano.

The promenade deck is exceptionally

roomy and has well-sheltered seating

accommodation. Special staterooms are

arranged on this deck, and at the after end

there are a large smoking room and lavatories.

The poop deck is allotted to second class

passengers as a promenade, and like the other decks,

is laid in specially selected teak. The galley and

pantry arrangements have been designed so as to

cause no discomfort to passengers, and to prevent

the slightest smell of cooking to reach the saloon

and staterooms.

The fittings in the staterooms, carpets, berths, ladders,

wash stands etc, are of first class quality, and the vessel

is lighted throughout by electricity. The saloons and

drawing room are most sumptuously arranged,

the panelings and furnishings being quite fine,

quite equal in fact to the best that are to be found

on modern vessels of greater pretensions than the

Yongala.

The engines are on the triple expansion principal,

capable of developing a speed of 16 knots per hour, This

rate was indeed averaged on the run from Fremantle to

Adelaide, so that in this respect she is likely to more than

hold her own with some of the smartest steamers trading

on our coast.

1 x triple expansion, inverted condensing engine. Five single-ended

steel boilers, natural draught, 180 pounds per square inch. 67 tonnes

coal per day - top speed 16 knots - average 14 knots.

Captain J Sim, who has command of the Yongala, reports

that the vessel exhibited superb seagoing qualities in

heavy weather during the voyage, and expresses

himself more than satisfied with her generally. The Yongala

leaves for Sydney today.

SS Yongala (wikipedia) - note prominent superstructure, amidships, and height of funnel.