description SS Yongala Overview
SS Yongala was an Australian passenger and cargo steamship that sank during a cyclone off Queensland on 23 March 1911, killing all 122 people aboard. The wreck was identified in the 1950s and lies near Cape Bowling Green within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Its largely intact structure supports abundant marine life, making it a significant archaeological site and a destination for experienced wreck divers.
help SS Yongala FAQ
What caused SS Yongala to sink?
SS Yongala disappeared during a powerful cyclone off Queensland on 23 March 1911. All 122 passengers and crew aboard were killed, and no definitive account of its final moments survives.
Where is the SS Yongala wreck?
The wreck lies near Cape Bowling Green off the Queensland coast, within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Divers normally reach it through licensed operators because the site is protected and exposed to open-sea conditions.
Why is SS Yongala such a famous dive site?
The largely intact steel wreck functions as an artificial reef and attracts dense marine life, including turtles, rays, groupers, and sea snakes. Its combination of biodiversity, historical importance, and strong currents makes it a celebrated advanced dive.
Can divers enter the SS Yongala wreck?
Penetration is prohibited because SS Yongala is a protected historic wreck and a grave site. Divers explore its exterior, where the ship's structure remains visible beneath extensive coral and marine growth.
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