SS Marloo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SS Marloo |
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Location | Great Sandy National Park, Fraser Island, Fraser Coast Region, Queensland, Australia |
Former Queensland Heritage Register
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Official name: Protected Area – SS Marloo | |
Type | protected area (archaeological) |
Designated | 12 October 2002 |
Delisted | 2015 |
Reference no. | 800001 |
The SS Marloo was a large steel ship that became a famous shipwreck near Fraser Island in Queensland, Australia. It was once listed on the Queensland Heritage Register to help protect its remains, but this protection changed in 2015. The wreck was last seen on January 16, 2021.
Contents
The Story of the SS Marloo
Built for the Seas
The SS Marloo was a big steel steamship. It weighed 2,628 tons! The ship was built in 1891 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It was owned by a company called the Adelaide Steamship Company.
A Shipwreck Near Fraser Island
In September 1914, the SS Marloo was sailing from Mackay to Brisbane. Suddenly, it hit something hidden underwater. This happened near Sandy Cape Shoal, off Fraser Island. The ship started taking on water very quickly.
To save everyone, the captain made a brave choice. He steered the ship on purpose and ran it aground on Fraser Island. This happened on September 27, 1914, about 3 miles (4.8 km) north of Waddy Point. All the crew and 38 passengers were rescued safely.
Later, an investigation looked into what happened. It found that the ship's captain was at fault. He had not been careful enough while navigating in an area known to have dangers.
What Happened to the Wreck?
Most of the ship's cargo was saved after the wreck. However, a strong north-easterly storm soon hit. This storm stopped any attempts to pull the ship back into the water. The SS Marloo quickly broke apart. Over the years, some parts of the wreck moved away from the main site.
The wreck was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register in 2002. This was done to help protect the scattered pieces. But in 2015, it was removed from this list. This is because a different law, the Australian Government's Shipwreck Act, now protects shipwreck sites.
Where is the Wreck Now?
The remains of the SS Marloo are on the beach. They are about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) northwest of Waddy Point on Fraser Island. The wreck is usually underwater, about 8 to 9 meters (26 to 30 feet) deep. Sometimes, if the tides are very low or there's a lot of erosion, parts of the wreck can be seen. The last time it was clearly visible was in October 2002.