TSS CORAMBA

Location

Bass Strait, off Phillip Island

VHR Number

S153

Date lost

30 Nov 1934

Year of construction

1911

Official number

131495

Statement of Significance

The Coramba is socially and historically significant, as one of Victoria's worst shipwreck tragedies in living memory. Relatives of those who were lost are still alive, and the tragedy claimed the lives of fathers and breadwinners during the Depression. 17 lives were lost in the tragedy. The Coramba served the Western District ports and had replaced the Casino which had also been tragically wrecked two years before. The wrecks of the Casino and Coramba were the death knell for steamship services to the Western District as railways and road transport replaced shipping for trade. 'The Coramba Gale' in which the Coramba foundered is still one of the worst storms recorded to have hit Victoria, with widespread flooding, wind damage and property loss in the south eastern Melbourne metropolitan district.

Physical Description

Construction Material Steel

Rig Schooner

Hull Details Single decked, steel steamer, electric light, water ballasted:Forepeak tank, 29 tons, Afterpeak tank, 14 tons. 4 Cemented bulkheads, flat plate keel, Fitted with refrigerating equipment. two masted, schooner rigged, elliptical stern,clinker built, no gall

Propulsion Steam - Screw

Number of Masts 2

Length / Breadth / Depth 160.0 Feet / 30.0 Feet / 10.0 Feet

History

Builder Ailsa Ship Building Co. Ltd. Ayr, Scotland

Built Date 1911

Built Port / Country Troon / Scotland

Registration Number 3 of 1933

Registration Port / Country Melbourne / Australia

Details
The T.S.S. CORAMBA was owned by the Belfast and Koroit Steam Navigation Company. The vessel was purchased by them to replace the S.S. CASINO which had been wrecked at Apollo Bay with major loss of life in 1932. The CORAMBA left Warrnambool at 1300 hrs, on 29 November 1934 bound for Melbourne with a cargo of wool and Nestles Condensed Milk. It was due to arrive at about 0700 hrs the following morning. Overnight the weather worsened and became a furious storm. The ship never arrived, and grave fears were held for its safety. In early December, parts of the CORAMBA's deckhouse (identified by the vessel's bell) and other wreckage came ashore on the southern coast of Phillip Island along with a number of bodies. Well-known Victorian diver Johnno Johnstone was called in to locate the hull. Johnstone reported finding the hull in 27 fathoms of water about 1.5 miles west of Seal Rocks. However, attempts to relocate the vessel failed.

Uses of Vessel

Primary Use Transport

Secondary Use Cargo - Coastal

Voyage Details

Date Lost 30 Nov 1934

Voyage from Portland to Melbourne, via Port Fairy and Warrnambool

Cargo
Wool and Nestles condensed milk.

Owner Belfast and Koroit Steam Navigation Co.

Master of Vessel Capt. John Dowling

Weather conditions
The Coramba Storm , hurricane force winds and huge seas

Cause of Loss
Sank during storm

Further Details

Number of Passengers 0

Number of Crew Members 16

Comments on Crew Members
Chief Officer - DP Sinclair Second Officer - RM Wishart Able Seaman - J. Sullivan Able Seaman - R. McNeilage Able Seaman - M Foley Able Seaman - JG Clancy Seaman - T Byrne Cook - G Madden Steward - J Bellairs Chief Engineer - A Elder Second Engineer - George Newlands Donkeyman - Harry Jensen Fireman - A Murphy Fireman - D Hassell Fireman - A Brown Deck boy - LG Nicholson

Physical Description
Construction Material	Steel
Rig	Schooner
Hull Details	Single decked, steel steamer, electric light, water ballasted:Forepeak tank, 29 tons, Afterpeak tank, 14 tons. 4 Cemented bulkheads, flat plate keel, Fitted with refrigerating equipment. two masted, schooner rigged, elliptical stern,clinker built, no gall
Propulsion	Steam - Screw
Number of Masts	2
Length / Breadth / Depth	160.0 Feet / 30.0 Feet / 10.0 Feet

Builder	Ailsa Ship Building Co. Ltd. Ayr, Scotland
Built Date	1911
Built Port / Country	Troon / Scotland
Registration Number	3 of 1933
Registration Port / Country	Melbourne / Australia
Details	The T.S.S. CORAMBA was owned by the Belfast and Koroit Steam Navigation Company. The vessel was purchased by them to replace the S.S. CASINO which had been wrecked at Apollo Bay with major loss of life in 1932. The CORAMBA left Warrnambool at 1300 hrs, on 29 November 1934 bound for Melbourne with a cargo of wool and Nestles Condensed Milk. It was due to arrive at about 0700 hrs the following morning. Overnight the weather worsened and became a furious storm. The ship never arrived, and grave fears were held for its safety. In early December, parts of the CORAMBA's deckhouse (identified by the vessel's bell) and other wreckage came ashore on the southern coast of Phillip Island along with a number of bodies. Well-known Victorian diver Johnno Johnstone was called in to locate the hull. Johnstone reported finding the hull in 27 fathoms of water about 1.5 miles west of Seal Rocks. However, attempts to relocate the vessel failed.

Primary Use	Transport
Secondary Use	Cargo - Coastal

Date Lost	30 Nov 1934
Voyage	from Portland to Melbourne, via Port Fairy and Warrnambool
Cargo	Wool and Nestles condensed milk.
Owner	Belfast and Koroit Steam Navigation Co.
Master of Vessel	Capt. John Dowling
Weather conditions	The Coramba Storm , hurricane force winds and huge seas
Cause of Loss	Sank during storm

Number of Passengers	0
Number of Crew Members	16
Comments on Crew Members	Chief Officer - DP Sinclair Second Officer - RM Wishart Able Seaman - J. Sullivan Able Seaman - R. McNeilage Able Seaman - M Foley Able Seaman - JG Clancy Seaman - T Byrne Cook - G Madden Steward - J Bellairs Chief Engineer - A Elder Second Engineer - George Newlands Donkeyman - Harry Jensen Fireman - A Murphy Fireman - D Hassell Fireman - A Brown Deck boy - LG Nicholson

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