bob10
25th January 2012, 10:53 PM
On the afternoon of 8th july, 1973, twenty ships were forced to heave to off Caloundra, entrance to the Port of Brisbane, due to heavy seas and poor visibility that had closed the Port to shipping. Two of these ships were the Neptune Monash, and the Cherry Venture. The former had an injured seaman on board, and the latter was destined to never sail again.
The Cherry Venture was a 1,069 g.r.t. vessel, 299 ft 10 inches in length. She was owned by Sea Tanker shipping co. pty. ltd. , of Singapore. Built at Gottenburg in 1944, as the Scania, she did sail during the latter part of WW2 . In 1970, she was renamed the Siolt, and in 1972, Cherry Venture. Having discharged her cargo in Napier, NZ., the Cherry Venture was ordered to Brisbane in ballast, for instructions. If no cargo was offered, the ship was to proceed to Singapore.These orders proved fatal for the vessel.
At 0530, on Sunday, 08 July, the Captain radioed Brisbane that he had tried to anchor off Caloundra, but his vessel was dragging her anchors, and was in danger of going aground. At about 1300, after her anchor cables had parted, the Cherry Venture went ashore one mile south of Double Island Point Lighthouse. Fortunately, she remained upright, and no lives were lost. The principle damage to the ship was a broken rudder, however sand quickly built up around the hull, leaving the salvage experts no doubt salvage would be a major undertaking.with no guarantee of success.
The authorities qickly ordered the removal of of the ships bunker oil, about 180 tons, fearing a leak would would damage the sandy beach, famous for the coloured sands nearby. Numerous attempts were made to dig a pond around the hull, but this always quickly filled up. On one occasion, the ship actually floated, but tugs could not pull her free.In the end, all valuable equipment was removed, the Cherry Venture was declared a total loss, and became a tourist attraction for those visiting Double Island Point. From a proud new ship at Gottenburg, to a rusting hulk on the beach at Double island, a sad end . Bob
The Cherry Venture was a 1,069 g.r.t. vessel, 299 ft 10 inches in length. She was owned by Sea Tanker shipping co. pty. ltd. , of Singapore. Built at Gottenburg in 1944, as the Scania, she did sail during the latter part of WW2 . In 1970, she was renamed the Siolt, and in 1972, Cherry Venture. Having discharged her cargo in Napier, NZ., the Cherry Venture was ordered to Brisbane in ballast, for instructions. If no cargo was offered, the ship was to proceed to Singapore.These orders proved fatal for the vessel.
At 0530, on Sunday, 08 July, the Captain radioed Brisbane that he had tried to anchor off Caloundra, but his vessel was dragging her anchors, and was in danger of going aground. At about 1300, after her anchor cables had parted, the Cherry Venture went ashore one mile south of Double Island Point Lighthouse. Fortunately, she remained upright, and no lives were lost. The principle damage to the ship was a broken rudder, however sand quickly built up around the hull, leaving the salvage experts no doubt salvage would be a major undertaking.with no guarantee of success.
The authorities qickly ordered the removal of of the ships bunker oil, about 180 tons, fearing a leak would would damage the sandy beach, famous for the coloured sands nearby. Numerous attempts were made to dig a pond around the hull, but this always quickly filled up. On one occasion, the ship actually floated, but tugs could not pull her free.In the end, all valuable equipment was removed, the Cherry Venture was declared a total loss, and became a tourist attraction for those visiting Double Island Point. From a proud new ship at Gottenburg, to a rusting hulk on the beach at Double island, a sad end . Bob