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Tuesday 3.00-3.30 p.m |
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Nick Baker and the team answer listeners' historical queries and celebrate the way in which we all 'make' history. |
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Programme 3 |
31 October 2006 |
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The SS Waratah
Making History listener Annette Kelly contacted the programme to find out more about her Great Uncle Joe Kelly who she thinks lost his life serving on board the SS Waratah which went down with all hands in July 1909. Described as the Australian or South Atlantic Titanic, the wreck of the vessel has never been discovered and the exact reason for its sinking has never been established.
The Waratah was a luxury steamer, built by Barclay Curle & Co in Whiteinch, Glasgow (Scotland) and destined to be the flagship of the Blue Anchor Line. It was named after the emblem flower of New South Wales, Australia. The ship was supposed to serve as a passenger and cargo liner to Australia. It had 100 first class cabins, eight state rooms and a salon whose panels depicted the Waratah flower. On 5 November 1908, the Waratah set sail on her maiden voyage from England, with 689 passengers in third class accommodation and 67 First class passengers. Her captain was Joshua E. Ilbery, a sailor with 30 years navigational experience. The ship experienced no problems on her journey to Australia. On 27 April 1909, the Waratah set out from Australia on her return maiden voyage. She was bound for the South African ports of Durban and Cape Town and was then to return to London. The Waratah reached Durban, where one passenger, Claude Sawyer, an engineer and experienced sea traveller, got off the ship and sent the following cable to his wife in London: "Thought Waratah top-heavy, landed Durban" The Waratah left Durban on 26 July with 211 passengers and crew. On 27 July , it passed the Clan McIntyre. On the evening of the same day, the Union-Castle Liner Guelph passed a ship and exchanged light signals, but was only able to identify the last three letters of her name (T-A-H).
The Waratah was expected to reach Cape Town on 29 July 1909. It never reached its destination, and no trace of the ship was ever found.
Making History consulted the maritime researcher Hannah Cunliffe who after searching records at the National Maritime Museum, National Archives and Board of Trade Archives was able to place Joe Kelly on the Waratah.Ìý
Board of Trade Records are held at the National Maritime Museum and Southampton Central Library -
Special Collections Library
Civic Centre
Southampton
SO14 7LW
Making History also consulted Emlyn Brown, a South African who has spent over 20 years trying to locate the WaratahÌý
And the South African writer David Willers, the author of In Search of the Waratah: the Titanic of the South. Published by Highveld ISBN 0 620 33217 4
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German war graves
A Making History listener in Belgium contacted the programme to ask where the graves of German airmen who lost their lives over the UK are located.
Making History consulted Richard Howman who runs a project called the which is a useful database for people interested in the war graves of all nationalities. Richard advised that most German graves were moved to a cemetery in Staffordshire in the 1960’s but there are some in other locations. Wherever they are the CommonwealthÌý have responsibility for their careÌý and listeners can search its records on-line.
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See AlsoThe ´óÏó´«Ã½ is not responsible for the content of external sites |
Vanessa has presentedÌýscience and current affairs programmes for ´óÏó´«Ã½, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Discovery and has presented for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4 & Five Live and a regular contributor to the Daily Telegraph and the Mail on Sunday, Scotsman and Sunday Herald.Ìý