In 1911, in Queensland Australia, the Yongala sank during a treacherous cyclone, killing 122 people, a racehorse called Moonshine and a red Lincolnshire bull. She had no telegraph facilities and so could not be warned of the weather ahead. In 1981 the Yongala was given official protection under the Historic Shipwrecks Act. The ship is 90 km southeast of Townsville, 10 km away form Cape Bowling Green. She is arguably the best dive in the world.

109 meters long, the bow points north and the ship lists to starboard.

The vessel was named after a small town in South Australia. In the local Aboriginal language, ‘Yongala’ (originally pronounced Yonggluh) meant ‘broad water’, or ‘broad wide watering place’. It was launched on the 29 April 1903, and left Southampton on 9th October. Carrying passengers bound for Australia, it arrived in Sydney on 6 December 1903. More information is at http://www.townsvillemaritimemuseum.org.au/yongala_history.htm

You see manta rays, sea snakes, octopuses, turtles, bull sharks, tiger sharks, clouds of fish and spectacular coral. You are forbidden from entering the ship: one diver was recently arrested and fined for doing so.

Check out footage of the beautiful marine life there: