SS Yongala Facts for Kids

A shipping buoy marks the site of the SS Yongala

The SS Yongala was a passenger ship built in 1903. It was a large steamship that carried people and goods along the coast of Australia. On March 23, 1911, the Yongala was sailing from Melbourne, Australia to Cairns. It ran into a powerful cyclone near Cape Bowling Green, south of Townsville. The ship sank completely, and no one onboard survived. For many years, the Yongala was lost. Its shipwreck was finally discovered in 1958 off the coast of Townsville. Today, it is a famous underwater dive site.

The Ship's Story
- Building the Yongala
- Life on Board
The Final Voyage
Finding the Wreck
- The Discovery
- A Protected Site
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The Ship's Story

Building the Yongala

The SS Yongala was built in England in 1903. It was a modern ship for its time. The ship was made of iron and steel. It had powerful steam engines to make it move. The Yongala was designed to carry many passengers and a lot of cargo. It was considered a safe and strong ship.

Life on Board

The Yongala was a busy ship. It traveled regularly between different Australian cities. People used it for travel, and businesses used it to send goods. Life on the ship was comfortable for passengers. They had cabins, dining areas, and places to relax. The crew worked hard to keep the ship running smoothly.

The Final Voyage

Leaving Melbourne

On March 14, 1911, the Yongala left Melbourne. It was heading north along the coast. The ship made several stops along the way. Its final destination was Cairns. Captain William Knight was in charge of the ship. There were 122 people on board. This included passengers and crew members.

Entering the Storm

As the Yongala sailed north, the weather began to change. A strong cyclone was forming. On March 23, 1911, the ship was near Cape Bowling Green. It sailed directly into the path of the cyclone. The storm was incredibly powerful. It brought huge waves and strong winds. The Yongala was last seen that day.

Lost at Sea

After the storm passed, the Yongala did not arrive in Cairns. People quickly realized something was wrong. Search parties were sent out. They looked for the ship for many days. However, no trace of the Yongala was found. It seemed to have vanished completely. All 122 people on board were lost. This was a very sad event for Australia.

Finding the Wreck

The Discovery

For 47 years, the Yongala remained a mystery. Then, in 1958, a fishing boat found something unusual. Its sonar equipment detected a large object underwater. Divers later explored the site. They confirmed it was the wreck of the SS Yongala. The ship was found lying on its side. It was about 28 meters (92 feet) deep.

A Protected Site

The Yongala wreck is now a protected site. It is against the law to take anything from it. The wreck is covered in marine life. It has become an amazing artificial reef. Many different kinds of fish, corals, and other sea creatures live there. It is a very popular place for scuba divers. Divers can explore the ship and see the marine life.