Built at Evans Deakin in Brisbane, this vessel was the last of the "A" class
built to Plan No. RH 1/2. It was ordered 22/01/1943, keel laid 02/11/44,
launched /06/1946 and completed /11/1946.
All accomodation was amidships.
The deck machinery consisted of 12 - 5 ton derricks and 1 - 20 ton heavy
derrick. Also 13 - 8x12 inch steam winches, including warping winch.
Propulsion machinery - built by Commonweath Government Marine Engine Works,
Brisbane - was the triple expansion steam type with an exhaust turbine
fitted. Steam was suplied by 2 B&W water tube boilers. This combination
produced an average service speed of 12 knots.
This ship sailed from Fremantle on the 3rd of May 1951 with 7465 tons of
wheat, arriving in India on the 4th of June 1951. Travelling time was 31
days and 19 hours.
On the return journey, the "River Burnett" sailed from India on the 5th of
June 1951 and arrived in Melbourne on the 13th of July 1951. Travelling
time was 38 days and 21 hours.
DRAMATIC BID TO SAVE HOLED SHIP.
Page 1, "The Sun" Melbourne, July 18, 1955.
The 5033-ton freighter River Burnett was badly holed in the bay early yesterday and half sunk in 50 feet of water off Mt.Eliza.
Her bow deck is five feet under water. Her stern rears high above the
surface, exposing her propellers.
All but 10 of the River Burnett's crew of 46 took to the lifeboats at 8am.
They are safe.
The ship's master Capt.C.("Paddy") O'Toole; the chief officer Mr.Brunton;
the radio operator; four engineers and three seamen stayed onboard.
Divers will investigate the damage today.
When the damage has been repaired an attempt will be made to refloat the
ship. This is expected to take about two weeks. Full story, more pictures,
Page 3.
CAPTAIN FAILS IN BID TO SAVE SHIP
Page 3, "The Sun" Melbourne, July 18,1955.
The freighter, River Burnett, which this morning lies half sunk in the Bay off Mt.Eliza (see Page 1), hit the Corsair Rock at 1 a.m. yesterday.
A huge hole was torn in her side.
Her master, Capt.C.O'Toole, got her off the rocks and tried to get her back
to port. But water entered her so rapidly that he decided to try to beach
her near Pelican Rock. "Before I could do so she sank." he said last
night
Raced time
Captain O'Toole said: "At 1,8 a.m. we hit the Corsair Rock broadside.
"We got off the rocks in ten minutes. From then on we were racing against
time.
"It was essential to keep as close as possible to the shore.
"But there was no chance of making Williamstown. So I had to try to ground
her."
Captain O'Toole said that No.2 hold was badly holed. Water poured into Nos. 1, 2 and 3 holds and the deadweight of these holds forced the bow to the muddy bottom.
Half an hour after the ship foundered - at 5,35 a.m. - most of the cabins
were awash. Some were completely submerged.
The 36 members of the crew who took to the boats at 8 a.m. spent two hours
shivering and huddled together in drizzling rain.
About 10 a.m. the tug Howard Smith took them to Williamstown.
The seamen left aboard spent yesterday battening down the two exposed
hatches.
"We must prevent any water getting into these at all costs." Captain
O'Toole said.
Interviewed as they stepped ashore from the Howard Smith last night, crew
members said they were "lucky to be alive - we thought our number was up
when she hit the rock."
Ordinary Seaman Norman Chant, of Newcastle, who was lookout on the
bridge when the ship struck said: "I heard a couple of loud 'crunches' and
we were stuck fast. I ran down from the bridge calling the third mate and
then the captain.
"The captain ordered the engine room 'full astern' and took the ship off the
rock"
Seaman John Kelly, of Ashmore Ave. Mordialloc said: "I was half asleep when I heard a terrific 'clunk' 'clunk' sound. We jumped from our bunks and looked out the porthole. We could not see anything, so we got back into bed again."
Apprentice Ian McDonald, of Sydney, said: "When we hit the rock the
pilot boat from Queenscliff and another ship, the Karua, stood by.
"We backed off the corsair rock and tested the steering outside The Rip.
The captain decided the best thing was to go through.
"We had sent distress signals to Melbourne, and the Moreton Bay stood by
when we signalled her with our Aldis lamp. Moreton Bay stood by for two
or three hours.
"We could hardly steer with the rudder out of the water and the propellers
thrashing."
Second Mate Mr.D.Anderson, said that the ship failed to answer the
helm before it hit Corsair Rock.
The River Burnett was sailing from Gladston to Melbourne with a cargo of
coal.
Captain R.Menzies, technical officer for the ship's owners, the Australian
Shipping Board flew to Melbourne from Sydney yesterday.
After inspecting the ship he said that refloating would take at least two
weeks - with good weather.
Captain Menzies said that divers would be sent down to try to repair the
hole. If they succeeded, the water would be pumped out of the holds.
Air compressors would be brought alongside to give the holds buoyancy.
Thousands of people lined the foreshores at Mornington, Frankston and
Mt.Eliza yesterday trying to see the crippled ship through fog and rain.
Scores of launches, motor and rowing boats hovered around her.
As far as is known the Australian Shipping Board operated the "River Burnett" until Feb.1957, when it was transferred to the Australian National Line.
In April 1965 the vessel was sold to Australine Shipping Co. Inc., Liberia, and renamed IONIC COAST.
In 1967 the vessel was sold to Devon Steamship Corp., Liberia, and renamed ILISSOS.
In April 1968 the vessel was detained at Saigon until sold in 1973 to D.L.Wirth Corporation North Hollywood.
During Sept.1973 the vessel left Saigon in tow for Kaohsiung for demolition.