The MV Noongah, a 71-meter freighter, was lost at sea in 1969, claiming the lives of 21 men. The ship was transporting steel off the coast of New South Wales when it encountered severe weather, leading to one of Australia’s largest maritime search efforts. Of the 26 crew members, only five were rescued, and just one body was ever recovered.
The wreck of MV Noongah has been identified after being tragically lost at sea 55 years ago.
We helped identify the wreck as part of a collaborative project with Heritage NSW, The Sydney Project as well as members of the public. https://t.co/MDIB69PUbT pic.twitter.com/Osm4NUAVQR
— CSIRO (@CSIRO) July 25, 2024
The shipwreck’s location remained a mystery for decades, until Australia’s science agency, CSIRO, recently confirmed the discovery using advanced seafloor mapping and video technology. The distress signal from the MV Noongah was sent on August 25, 1969, but within minutes, the ship had succumbed to the turbulent seas.
A massive search operation was launched, involving Royal Australian Navy destroyers, minesweepers, aircraft, helicopters, and various other vessels. Rescue teams also scoured the coastline in search of survivors. After 12 hours, two men were found in separate life rafts, and three others were discovered clinging to a plank, according to local reports.
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For years, locals had suspected the shipwreck’s location, roughly 460 kilometers north of Sydney near South West Rocks. However, the technology or expertise required to confirm the wreck’s identity was lacking until recently. Last month, a high-tech vessel from CSIRO investigated the site and discovered the wreck, mostly intact and upright on the seabed at a depth of 170 meters. The wreck’s key dimensions matched those of the MV Noongah, confirming its identity.
The Sydney Project, an initiative focused on locating and documenting lost shipwrecks, is planning a dive to gather additional footage from the site. This effort aims to provide more insight into the circumstances surrounding the ship’s sinking.
CSIRO’s Matt Kimber expressed the importance of the discovery, noting that the tragedy still resonates with the community. “We hope that knowing the resting place of the vessel brings some closure for all,” Kimber said.
The shipwreck of coastal freighter Noongah has been found more than 50 years after it sank.
The ship’s sinking was described as one of Australia’s worst maritime disasters, and led to one of the nation’s largest searches for survivors.
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Surviving family members of the crew have expressed relief at the discovery. Pamela Hendy, the widow of Captain Leo Botsman, shared that the fate of the MV Noongah had always been on her mind. The confirmation of the ship’s final resting place brings some comfort to the families who have been living with this uncertainty for over five decades.
Major Points:
- The MV Noongah, a 71-meter freighter, sank in 1969 during a storm off the coast of New South Wales, resulting in the loss of 21 crew members.
- Only five of the 26 crewmen were rescued, with just one body recovered, sparking one of Australia’s largest maritime searches.
- The shipwreck’s location was recently confirmed by Australia’s science agency, CSIRO, using advanced seafloor mapping and video technology.
- The wreck was found largely intact and upright at a depth of 170 meters, matching the dimensions of the MV Noongah.
- The discovery provides some closure to the community and surviving family members, as efforts continue to gather more information about the ship’s sinking.
Charles William III – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
