Project Objective: To locate, positively
identify and report on the TSS Kanowna. Ship History: W. Denny and
Brothers of Dumbarton Scotland built the 6,993-ton twin screw TSS Kanowna in
1902. The ship was owned and operated by the Australian United Steam
Navigation Company on the Fremantle-Sydney route. The ship was requisitioned
as a troop transport on 8 August 1914 and embarked troops for New Guinea.
Commonwealth control ended 21 August 1914.
The TSS Kanowna was requisitioned again 1 June 1915 and proceeded to England
where she was converted to a hospital ship with accommodation for 452
patients. For the next three years she transported sick and wounded between
England and Australia as HMAS KANOWNA.
The ship was returned to the Australian United Steam Navigation
Company on 29 July 1919 and resumed service as a passenger and general cargo
liner. Steaming between Sydney and Melbourne, she ran on to rocks in foggy
weather near Cleft Island (Skull Rock) south of Wilson’s Promontory on 18th
February 1929. Boats were immediately lowered and passengers were transferred
to SS Mackarra.
It was first thought that the vessel could be saved, but owing
to her boiler fires being extinguished she could not be beached. After remaining
afloat for several hours, she sank the following morning. The steamship Dumosa
also attended the site and took aboard the Kanowna’s officers and men.
A Court of Inquiry found the Master had committed an error of judgment and
should have slowed his vessel in the fog. The Kanowna is likely to lie in
80msw.
Project Status: 8 May 2005 - the team has successfully dived the wreck and has made positive identification from comparison with the ships' drawings.
See photos from first dive on the TSS Kanowna.
On 23 April 2005, Greg Hodge, Mark Ryan, Mick Whitmore and Peter Taylor have possibly found the final resting place of the Kanowna some 50 km into Bass Strait in about 80m of water. Dives are now being planned to positively identify the shipwreck.
Further Information Required: Any information on the Kanowna, its service
life, passengers, crew and officers or specifications.
Media Reports
The following list contains media reports that recorded the discovery of the TSS Kanowna.
|
