Sunken Ship: Scientists have successfully solved the century-old mystery surrounding a ship that vanished at sea 120 years ago. The precise location of the SS Nemesis, a 240-foot steamship that disappeared in 1904 while en route from Newcastle to Melbourne, has been discovered on the seafloor near Australia.
A collaborative research effort between CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, and Heritage NSW led to the identification of the wreck off the coast of Wollongong, New South Wales. The ship sank during a strong gale shortly after departing port, resulting in the loss of all 31 lives on board.
The SS Nemesis remained unknown until marine survey company Subsea Professional Marine Services located it in May 2022. The recent CSIRO mission aimed to explore and gather more information about the wreck, utilizing advanced technology to map the seafloor and visually inspect the entire structure.
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The researchers found the wreck standing upright on the seafloor, displaying significant damage and deterioration at both the bow and stern. Phil Vandenbossche, a CSIRO hydrographic surveyor, described the discovery: “The wreck is located towards the edge of the continental shelf and is sitting upright on the seafloor but is showing significant damage and deterioration at both the bow and stern.”
The precise location of the wreck, situated in 524 feet of water and approximately 17 miles off the coast of Wollongong, was meticulously mapped during the expedition. The confirmation of the wreck’s identity provides valuable archaeological information.
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“Our voyage track took us right past the wreck, and we were extremely lucky with the conditions for the survey, with our team onboard doing a superb job in capturing incredible imagery of the wreck,” remarked CSIRO voyage manager Jason Fazey. “We surveyed the entire length of the wreck with our drop camera, revealing a lot of detail of the ship’s structures, including some of the internal spaces.”
Dr. Brad Duncan, Senior Maritime Archaeologist with Heritage NSW, highlighted that the recently discovered wreck is just one of many shipwrecks along the Australian coastline, with numerous others yet to be found.
The resolution of this maritime mystery brings closure, according to Fazey, marking another success in uncovering the secrets hidden beneath the ocean’s depths.