SS+Yongala

SS Yongala

The wreck is still intact sitting at about 30 meters of water and approximately 12 nautical miles east of Cape Bowling Green and 48 nautical miles south-east of Townsville. The Yongola was an early 20th century interstate coastal streamer that sunk in cyclonic weather during March 1911. It supplies an image of life at the time of its journeys for historians, and is now regarded as on one Australia’s popular dive sites. The sinking of the ship has created a substantial artificial reef that supports a diversity of fish with 122 recorded species in communities around the wreck. Giant gropers beneath the stern, schools of giant trevally and cobia congregate around the wreck while sea snakes glide harmlessly past divers. Spot turtles feeding and gracefully sweeping rays. It is also the final resting place for those passengers on board, during the 99th and last journey if the great SS Yongola.  **The Honeymoon Murder ** On October 22nd, 2003 Christina Mae "Tina" Watson and her husband, Daniel Gabriel "Gabe" Watson, were diving at the Yongala shipwreck as a part of their honeymoon trip. Tina Watson drowned during the expedition, and on the 19th of June 2008, Australian authorities charged Gabe Watson with her murder. In 1911, the steam fighter ship SS Yongala, sank of the coast of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia during a cyclone. The ship was discovered a mere 50 meters later and has now become a brilliant dive site for SCUBA enthusiasts.
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