["Loss of the s.s. Yongala", The Hedland Advocate (Port Hedland, WA), Saturday 01 April 1911]
Loss of the s.s. Yongala
In a Hurricane on the Queensland Coast
The Ship and 119 Souls Disappear
Brisbane, March 26
The steamer Yongala (A.S.S. Coy.) left Mackay for Townsville (a 230-mile run direct) on Thursday last, and has not yet arrived at the latter place.
On Thursday night a storm of cyclonic force was raging between these two towns, and it is thought the Yongala met the full fore[sic] of it.
The steamers Tarcoola and Ouraka went in search, but returned without seeing a trace of the missing vessel.
Much anxiety is felt, as she had many passengers and a large crew aboard.
March 27.
Nothing has yet been heard of the Yongala.
Shipmasters report having experienced a very trying time coming down the coast.
March 28.
The Collector of Customs this morning received a telegram from the lighthouse-keeper at Cape Bowling Green (about 40 miles south of Townsville,) stating that several branded bags of chaff, bran and pumpkins washed ashore abreast of the lighthouse.
Mr Wareham, the Queensland manager for the A.S.S. Coy., states that the bags of bran and pollard have been identified as part of the Yongala's cargo. The bags were placed in No. 3 lower hold, and the fact that they were washed ashore caused him to entertain the gravest fears.
The tug Alert, sent out by the Government from Townsville, returned this evening.
She found, near Keppel Reef, 2 cases of kerosene shipped by the Yongala for Lucinda Point, a lifebuoy, 2 small gratings (without marks), 2 pillows marked A.S.S. Coy, a basket of mails and a door, with glass bearing the word "festina" and dated 1900.
It is supposed that the latter is part of the music room door, which bore the Company's motto, "festina lents," (hasten slowly.)
The baset[sic] of mails found contains parcels from Brisbane.
Townsville, March 28.
Wreckage is now floating about Cleveland Bay, in the vicinity of the Townsville city baths.
Nautical men generally take the gloomiest view regarding the fate of the Yongala.
Melbourne, March 29.
All hope for the safety of the Yongala has been abandoned.
Mr Northcote, general manager for the Co., thinks that no lives have been saved, as no boat could live for an instant in the cyclonic disturbance.
The steamers Tarcoola and Magnet, which have been engaged in searching the coast, report no trace found.
Passengers on board the ill-fated vessel numbered 46, the crew numbered 73, total on board 119.
