The SS Yongala sank during a
cyclone in 1911 and lies on its starboard side in 30 metres. The ship is
109 metres (360 ft) long and was built of steel in 1903. As an
historical shipwreck, it is totally protected and penetration is
strictly prohibited.
The night dive was the fourth dive for
the day on the SS Yongala. I wore my 3 litre pony bottle, helmet with
two torches and carried my big Toshiba torch as well. Alex and I were
given the job of tying Cyalume (chemical light) sticks to the stern
marker buoy, on the
line at 5 metres and 10 metres, and on the stern bollard.
The wreck was alive
with colour as we swam slowly to the bow. My helmet torches and main
torch lit up the holes in the ship very well. It seemed to be much
clearer than on the dive in the afternoon.
At the bow, there were
two large bull rays hovering in the current over the wreck. I swam back
towards the stern along the high port edge of the hull and almost ran
into one! It swerved and I moved closer to the hull to avoid its long
tail. A beautiful dive.
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