SS RIVERINA. 1905

SS RIVERINA. 1905

Australian Flag.  Owners Huddart Parker & Company, Melbourne

Builders   Laing and Co,  Sunderland   UK

Launched  May 1905.    Completed. October. 1905

Length.  OA 370ft.     Beam. 49ft 7in

Tonnage   Gross 4758.  Net  2808

Triple Expansion Engine.     Speed.  15kts

Passenger Capacity First Class 160.  Second Class. 120,  Third Class. 100

Served on several Australian coastal services before being on a regular Hobart - Sydney service

On 17 April 1927, the vessel was driven ashore in a squall and wrecked 1.5 miles west of Gabo Island (nr. Tullaberga Island), State of Victoria, Australia, on a voyage from Hobart to Sydney with 142 passengers & 496 tons of general cargo which included 19,352 cases of apples (later thrown overboard). No loss of life. After 3 days all the passengers made it ashore & to Mallacoota after a 13 km. walk along the coast - & then to Sydney aboard the Bombala. Unsuccessful salvage attempts were made (but teak & other materials were scavenged). A tourist attraction for many years & could be boarded in good weather. During WW2, the wreck was bombed & strafed by the R.A.A.F. 
Little is left today apart from bow & stern posts visible at low tide. The vessel's Master Captain (Parry), was cleared of wrong doing at the Inquiry but was never later given command of another vessel.

Source: Various   plus    wrecksite: https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?57309