SS Yongala: A Tale of Two Cyclones
A story of one of the world's greatest recreational dive sites in Queensland Australia
By Queensland Museum Network
Queensland Museum Network
SS Yongala Shipwreck - Pre Cyclone Yasi (2010) by David WachenfeldQueensland Museum Network
East of Cape Bowling Green, and 89 kilometres from Townsville, Australia lies one of the world’s greatest recreational dive sites – the wreck of the SS Yongala.
Marine life surrounding SS Yongala shipwreck (2010) by David WachenfeldQueensland Museum Network
Like other shipwrecks in shallow tropical seas, it has been colonised by coral, sponges, fans and other sessile (fixed in one place) marine life.
SS Yongala wreck - An underwater oasis (2010) by David WachenfeldQueensland Museum Network
As an oasis and shelter rising from the sandy sea floor, it has also become home for a myriad of fish, as well as turtles and other marine animals.
Hand coloured postcard of SS Yongala (1905) by State Library of QueenslandQueensland Museum Network
The SS Yongala was a coastal passenger ship, which sank on 23 March 1911 after encountering a cyclone en route from Melbourne to Cairns in Australia.
A living reef on SS Yongala (2010) by David WachenfeldQueensland Museum Network
After many decades on the ocean floor SS Yongala looks as much reef as she does wreck…
SS Yongala shipwreck (2010) by David WachenfeldQueensland Museum Network
… her original details hidden under a beautiful but concealing cover of reef life.
Cyclone Yasi off the coast of North Queensland (2011) by UnknownQueensland Museum Network
Then in early February 2011, almost 100 years after SS Yongala sank, she encountered another cyclone.
A category 5 monster, Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi, tore into the coast driving huge seas. Would the SS Yongala survive another cyclone?
Side view of SS Yongala shipwreck (2012) by David WachenfeldQueensland Museum Network
The first divers to revisit SS Yongala after the cyclone discovered something extraordinary.
Whilst the wreck was still there, most of the encrusting marine life had been scoured away by the terrible storm.
SS Yongala - post Cyclone Yasi (2012) by David WachenfeldQueensland Museum Network
Once again the SS Yongala looked like a recent shipwreck, stripped and laid bare..
and quite unlike the dives site anyone had ever seen before.
Stern of SS Yongala shipwreck (2012) by David WachenfeldQueensland Museum Network
At the stern, the rudder and propeller shaft – the propeller itself had long been missing - were clearly visible.
Bow of SS Yongala shipwreck (2012) by David WachenfeldQueensland Museum Network
But the bow of the SS Yongala was twisted and laid flat..
testament to the incredible power of Cyclone Yasi.
Main engine revealed on SS Yongala Shipwreck (2012) by David WachenfeldQueensland Museum Network
With deck plates torn away, the top of the main engine was now exposed..
showing the cylinder heads of the triple expansion reciprocating steam engine.
SS Yongala revealed (2012) by David WachenfeldQueensland Museum Network
But here and there, in protected areas, some encrusting marine life remains.
Almost immediately the ocean’s inhabitants again had begun taking over the wreck.
Before long this unique opportunity to see “SS Yongala revealed” came to an end, with only photos to remember the amazing impact of SS Yongala’s second cyclone.
All photographs courtesy of David Wachenfeld.
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