Project Objective: To locate, positively
identify and report on the SS Queensland. Ship History: The SS Queensland was built by Palmers & Co at Newcastle, England in 1875. She was 2263 gross tons and measured 325.3 ft x 36.7 ft x 25 ft.
The Queensland was a very progressive design with double bottom, hull divided into six watertight bulkheads, steam pumps that could discharge 100 tons or water/hour, steam winches and powered by a two cylinder inverted compound engine rated at 309HP.
In August of 1876, the Queensland was on passage from Foo Chow, China to Australia. After docking in Melbourne she then resumed passage to Sydney with 107 crew and 17 passengers. The Barrabool, on a passage from Sydney to Melbourne collided with the Queensland south-east of Wilsons Promontory on 3 August 1876. Of note, the Barrabool and Queensland were built by the same company, both were built on the same blocks.
The Queensland sunk stern first within 35 minutes. All passengers and crew made it to the Barrabool except for one crew member from the Queensland. There were no losses on the Barrabool.
At the Court of Inquiry, the Barrabool was found to have caused the collision. These findings were published in The Age on 10 August 1876. The Barrabool’s Second Officer was charged with recklessly causing the collision.
Of note, this was only the start of the collisions for the Barrabool. 10 March 1879, runs into and sinks the Bonnie Dundee off Moon Island, five dead. August 1884, runs into steamer Birksgate in Sydney Harbour. Then again, another crash in Victoria, the steamer Koonawarra in May 1902. Served her last days as a hulk and towed 17 miles off Sydney Harbour, 3 August 1950, sea cocks opened and settled in a depth of 100 fathoms.
Project Status: The team has successfully located and dived the wreck about 35km due east of Wilsons Promontory in about 65m of water. Further dives are now being planned to conduct pre-disturbance survey of the site.
Further Information Required: Any information on the Queensland, its service
life, passengers, crew and officers, specifications and ships' drawings.
Media Reports
|
