Museum most fitting for Yongala artefacts

I NEVER took a camera. Instead, I had nature’s own wonderful recording device; memory.

I remember moments during my many dives, gliding along the promenade, the captain’s cabin, the giant gropers under her bow, and so much more, the greatest of all dives, our Yongala.

Now my memories have been relived by Max Gleeson’s new DVD. His Yongala film is superb, and for all who love our history or ever wanted to see the wreck’s interior, the sea life and learn more of this fascinating story, you must see it.

At last we can see deep into her heart, the bath tubs, beds, what may have been mining equipment, port holes, and the creatures that bring her alive once more.

It’s great to hear Max pronounce Yongala correctly ( Yongluh, first Australian for a watering place).

Max tells of his theory about the davits which held her lifeboats. There’s a strong possibility some escaped the Yongala before the sea took her. He found the starboard davits are facing out, which we all thought happened when she settled. But, as he says, they each had a separate winch and had to be wound out by crew.

Could some have left the wreck, only to be taken by a storm?

This story is part of our history; 122 souls on March 23, 1911, lost on her way to Townsville. There’s a wonderful interview with a diver who heard a voice while diving near one of the bathtubs.

Having been there, I totally understand, as before you dive her, you learn the tragic story.

You’re entering their grave, perhaps wondering what Captain William Knight was thinking … it is an emotional journey.

The DVD is at the Museum of Tropical Queensland. Our early days were hard, and it’s so good to see a master doco maker give us some incredible moments.

But, and this is where I get into a little trouble. All what you see, will vanish, gone forever, or as has been the case for years, stolen. We saw a beautiful marble table one dive, the next week it was gone, a crate of whiskey from the captain’s cabin, gone. Imagine that in our museum for future generations.

Our museum has precious little from what is our history.

They say it shouldn’t be touched. Rubbish, all these artefacts will disappear into the sands. We deserve some for the museum, for our future, for our kids, for future generations to learn the hardships of travel to this magnificent city in its early days.

Have it in a perspex tub in solution, so visitors can see.

Dreaming, I know. Not everything, just a small amount for our city. There are hundreds of bricks ( I remember them), sell some for funding.

Yongala’s history, her memory, belongs to all, but especially to Townsville, the port where she was to arrive, all those years ago.

Happy history making days … Ooroo.