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SS Waratah (1909)

NOTES:
SPAWNS AT LARGE OIL RIG
INFINITE ELECTRICITY IS REQUIRED
THE SINKING IS BASED OFF THE THEORY SHE CAPSIZED

Credit:
Huge thanks for Liam for critiquing this vessel for accuracy and providing plans!
Another thanks for Oceanic Star Line for helping with plans, her livery and flags
Story:

The SS Waratah was built by Barclay Curle in Glasgow for Lund's Blue Anchor Line from September 1907 and completed on October 23rd 1908. She was launched September 12th 1908, performed sea trials on the same day as completion. Being about 9,300 gross tons, she was not a large ship at all for 1907, with the largest being 35,700 tons (Mauretania). She departed London on her long maiden voyage with 910 on board, 689 third class, 67 1st class and 154 crew; Waratah did not have 2nd class. Departing on November 5th and steaming at around 13.5 knots, she arrived in Cape Town on November 27th, and arrived at Adelaide on December 15th. During this leg of the voyage, a fire broke out on the 6th of December and kept re-igniting until the 10th. She continued her voyage to Melbourne then Sydney where she received repairs. She steamed back for London stopping at the Colony of Natal and Cape Colony. Her maiden voyage was finally completed when she arrived back in London on March 7th, 1909. Almost instantly, a massive issue was reported by her captain and crew to have appalling stability and be very problematic. Finally, after a heated argument, the Waratah received a refit.

Now refitted though not in her favour, more heavy machinery was placed high up on her decks and she received paint modifications. She departed on her second and final voyage on April 27th 1909, carrying only 334 passengers and crew as opposed to the 910 on her maiden voyage. After arriving in Cape Town on May 18th, she steamed on towards Adelaide where she loaded 970 tons of lead ore on board on June 6th. She arrived at Melbourne on June 11th where docking was problematic due to stability issues. She steamed on to Sydney and eventually departed on June 26th and departed from Adelaide on July 7th for the Colony of Natal. Arriving in Durban on July 25th, Claude G. Sawyer left the ship out of fear of her instability, sending a telegram to his wife "Thought Waratah top-heavy, landed in Durban." Departing the day after with 211 on board at 8:15PM, she was due to reach Cape Town on the 29th. She never arrived.

The Clan Liner, SS Clan MacIntyre last saw Waratah about 9:30AM on the 27th and she was just steaming along with no issues, though a horrible hurricane would appear by the 28th. Supposedly, a rifleman saw a steamer through his telescope on the 28th roll violently to her starboard side, partially and slowly recover before another wave washed over and the ship vanished from sight. This is believed to be the capsizing of the Waratah, but if it was actually her and actually capsizing is debatable. To this day, Waratah's wreck has never been found.

May all 211 who were lost in this terrifying loss may rest in peace.