The Loss of the S.S. Waratah (1909)

The loss of the ‘Waratah’ has often been dubbed ‘The Australian Titanic’, and rightfully so given the impact she undoubtedly had in Australian-maritime history. Built for the Blue Anchor Line in 1907, she was the largest and most luxurious vessel built for the Blue Anchor Line steamship company, and perhaps the most comfortable Australian-route steamship built at that particular time. Though after merely one year of service, she disappeared without a single trace, and is still lost to this day. Despite her absolute disappearance, there have been several theories which have surfaced, where one particular theory, the theory of her having been unstable, prevails over the others. In this documentary, we explore the history of ‘Waratah’, and touch on the theory of her having been unstable, and the other theories that have also surfaced.