Neutral Bay witnessed an extraordinary event in the late 19th century: the sinking and subsequent salvage of the RMS Austral.
This incident, which occurred in late 1882 and early 1883, captivated the city and left a lasting mark on maritime history. For six weeks, the sight of four masts and two funnels protruding from the harbour waters became a daily spectacle for Manly ferry commuters.
The Austral, a 5580-tonne steamer owned by the Orient Steam Navigation Co., was a state-of-the-art vessel built on the River Clyde, Scotland, for the England-Australia route. After a successful maiden voyage in May 1882, the ship arrived in Sydney to great acclaim. Its luxurious dining room was praised and considered superior to anything Sydney’s cafes and hotels could offer. However, a foreshadowing incident occurred during coaling in Sydney when the ship developed an unexplained list, which was eventually corrected.
The Austral’s second voyage to Sydney concluded on 3 November 1882. The Bulli Coal Company’s collier, Woonona, was contracted to supply coal while the Austral was berthed at Circular Quay. The Austral had 15 coaling ports along its hull. After only 230 tonnes of coal were loaded, the Austral suddenly listed to starboard. The Woonona crew spent five hours redistributing cargo and coal to stabilise the ship, which was moved to a mooring off Neutral Bay.
Coaling resumed on 10 November at 10 pm. The loading rate was 25-30 tonnes per hour. The ship began to list again, but initially, it did not cause alarm. However, at 3:50 am on 11 November, water rushed into the coal bunkers, causing a dangerous starboard list that threatened the Woonona. Within 20 minutes, the Austral vanished beneath the surface, settling on the harbour floor, tragically trapping and drowning five men. The next morning revealed the surreal scene of the ship’s masts and funnels sticking out of the water.
A coroner’s inquiry found the Austral’s captain, chief engineer, and chief officer guilty of a “grave error of judgment” for not ensuring senior officer supervision during coaling. Controversially, the subsequent Court of Marine Inquiry was held in London, not Sydney.
Various recovery plans were proposed. English engineers suggested using caissons, while local engineers advocated for a cofferdam. The local approach was adopted. A team of 16 divers and over 80 other workers spent six weeks constructing the coffer dam, effectively extending the hull by five metres. On 27 February 1883, ten pumps began extracting water at 280 tonnes per hour. After four months underwater, the Austral was refloated and towed to shallower waters.
Over the next two months, the ship’s engines were overhauled, and temporary repairs were made. A successful sea trial on 28 May 1883, confirmed its seaworthiness for its return to England, which began on 9 June, seven months after its initial arrival in Sydney.
Back in England, stability tests finally took place. At the London inquiry, the ship’s designer admitted he had not previously deemed such tests necessary. The court determined the sinking resulted from several factors: lack of stability testing, insufficient senior officers on board, and inadequate supervision of the coaling process. A Sydney newspaper described the sinking as “an occurrence almost without precedence in the annals of maritime history.”
By April 1884, the Austral was reconditioned and returned to service, reappearing in Sydney Harbour in January 1885. However, further tragedy struck in February 1886 when three crew members drowned off Dobroyd Head after their whaleboat capsized. A gruesome discovery followed a week later: remains of one of the crew were found inside a shark caught on the day of the accident.
The Austral continued voyaging between England and Australia until its sale to shipbreakers in Genoa in late 1903, closing a chapter marked by grandeur and misfortune.
Published Date 17-December-2024
