The Wreck of the SS Willyama

 I wrote about the SS Willyama at Marion Bay & the wreck of the SS Willyama in 2014.

“The 2704-ton (or 2705t) SS Willyama sank in Marion Bay, near Rhino Head, on 13th April 1907. She had been built, just 10 years earlier, in 1897 (for the Adelaide Steamship Co.). Her cargo was 4000 tons of coal from Newcastle. This coal, which was bound for Port Pirie, is said to have “provided many (of Yorke) peninsula’s residents with a private coal supply, at no charge, for many years” (“Yorke Peninsula Shipping” by Ronald Parsons).”

Geoff Mower wrote an article about the wreck   for the November 1980 MLSSA Newsletter. The article was accompanied by this sketch of the wreck site. You can click on the image to read his original dive report.

Sketch of the wreck of the Willyama – Geoff Mower, November 1980

The Willyama hit a reef on 13th April 1907). She was actually abandoned during a salvage attempt on 25th April 1907 (Anzac Day) when she became damaged during rough weather.

The wreck of the Willyama can be seen from this viewing platform at Willyama Beach
(Photo: Steve Reynolds)

This sign pointing to the wreck site is in the area where Geoff and his buddy probably camped prior to November, 1980
(Photo: Steve Reynolds)

This interpretive sign is now located close to the wreck site
(Photo: Steve Reynolds)

A close-up shot of the sign
(Photo: Steve Reynolds)

I tried getting a good shot of the wreck site from several locations along Willyama Beach. This appears to be the best shot that I managed to get of the site: –

The steering gear of the Willyama protrudes above the surface of the water even at high tide
(Photo: Steve Reynolds)

The location of the boiler was almost discernible just beyond the steering gear. I also tried to get a shot of Rhino Head in the distance from several locations along Willyama Beach and at Stenhouse Bay. This appears to be the best shot that I managed to get of it: –

Rhino Head in the distance
(Photo: Steve Reynolds)

It seems that a housing estate is now located in the area where Geoff camped prior to November 1980: –

A housing estate is now located in the area where Geoff camped prior to November 1980
(Photo: Steve Reynolds)

There are now some steps leading down to the beach at the wreck site: –

Steps leading down to the beach at the wreck site
(Photo: Steve Reynolds)

An anchor from the Willyama is located at the Marion Bay Historical Centre, along with an anchor from the SS Marion (of 1862). The Historical Centre was opened in October 1997. Unfortunately, the anchor from the SS Willyama is starting to disappear under a nearby shrub.

Marion Bay Historical Centre with anchors from the Willyama (left) & the Marion(rear)
(Photo: Steve Reynolds)

Here is a close-up shot of the anchor from the Willyama: –

An anchor from the SS Willyama located at the Marion Bay Historical Centre
(Photo: Steve Reynolds)

According to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql1UK7mzIAA , the Adelaide Freedive Tribe posted 2019 video footage of “Freediving the SS Willyama Shipwreck”. It was suggested, however, that “the conditions are rarely favourable enough to dive it”.