BASS STRAIT, Australia — One of Victoria's worst maritime tragedies might finally be explained - even if it has come a tad late. A team of divers found a century-old shipwreck in Bass Strait on Sunday which is believed to be the 135-foot iron steamer Glenelg. The Glenelg vanished in 1900 during a routine run along the Victorian coast from Bairnsdale to Melbourne. Only three people survived the tragedy which left 31 people dead, but an inquiry never explained what caused the ship to sink. Now, 109 years later, the Glenelg mystery may finally be solved. The Southern Ocean Exploration diving team spent four hours searching for the wreck on Sunday and were just about to pack when they struck gold. The divers recovered a plate from the shipwreck to confirm the wreck's identity, and the location and dimensions of the ship suggest it is the Glenelg. Southern Ocean Exploration group leader Mark Ryan said the discovery could answer some century-old questions about one of Victoria's worst maritime tragedies. "The three survivors from the Glenelg said in their official report that the hull plating had separated at the stern and filled the ship up with water, and we believe that is correct,'' Mr Ryan said. Mr Ryan said Sunday's historic discovery led to "yelling, screaming, and more than a few high fives on the boat", particularly given the dive was in trying conditions and the wreckage was at a depth of 32 metres. "There were very strong currents and poor visibility at the time, so yeah, it was a very tough dive," he said. It was the discovery of an unusual dinner plate that piqued the interest of the divers and led to a phone call - from the middle of Bass Strait - to the head of Heritage Victoria's Maritime Unit. "Generally we leave everything intact at a wreckage, but the dinner plate we found had Tasmanian Steam Navigation Company written on it," Mr Ryan said. "The Glenelg was never owned by that company - it was owned by the Union Steam Ship Company - so we contacted Heritage Victoria from the boat, who asked us to bring the plate up. "We've since found out that the Union Steam Ship Company purchased the Tasmanian Steam Navigation Company, and that one of the previous owners had done some contract work for the Tasmanian Steam Ship Company." Mr Ryan said the dive team will return to take some photos and video footage, but there was no reason to remove any more artefacts. "Apart from that, it'll just be down there forever," he said. | | The was the first 'southbound' ship to pass through the new Suez Canal on May 24th, 1875. About the Glenelg 218 gross tons, 558 net. Lbd: 135'8" x 21'1" x 11'3". Iron twin screw steamship built by Aitken & Mansel, Glasgow for Thomas Elder & Robert B Smith, registered Port Adelaide. Twin compounded engines producing 80 horsepower. Held distinction of being the first 'southbound' ship to pass through the new Suez Canal on May 24th, 1875. Designed more as a tug - passenger tender vessel with cargo capacity, she worked out of Port Adelaide. Later worked the St Vincents Gulf. In 1880 tonnage adjusted to read 210 gross and 76 net. Sold July 1881 to William Wells. Sold April 1882 to Thomas Hesselton, Sydney under whom she made a run to New Zealand for a cargo of salvaged railway equipment. Sold July 1882 to the Port Jackson Steamship Co Ltd., Sydney and employed as a Manly ferry. From January until end of March she was chartered to W Collins, Brisbane and placed upon the Brisbane - Bundaberg run. November 1891 sold to E T Miles & Partners, Hobart and placed upon the Hobart - Strahan run, at times extending from Stahan to Melbourne. At some stage she was sold to T A Reynolds or Reynolds was the active 'signature' partner of E T Miles when sold September 1896 to the Union SS Co, New Zealand, along with with T A Reynolds, Hobart fleet. Continued her Tasmanian services under her new owners until 1898 when sold to A J Ellerker, Melbourne. Here she was placed upon the Gippsland Lakes service - Melbourne. March 25th 1900 foundered and sank in Bass Strait, approximately 40 miles west of Lakes Entrance, Victoria en route for Melbourne. A loss of 31 souls, including all passengers, with only three survivors. CDNN RELATED NEWSAUSTRALIA - HMAS Adelaide to become divers' wreck |
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