Kyarra

History
Australia
Name	Kyarra
Owner	Australian United Steam Navigation Co. Ltd.
Port of registry	Fremantle, Western Australia
Builder	William Denny and Brothers, Dumbarton
Launched	2 February 1903
Fate	Sunk by UB-57 on 26 May 1918
General characteristics
Tonnage	6,953 GRT 4,383 NT
Length	415 ft 5 in (126.62 m)
Beam	52 ft 2 in (15.90 m)
Draught	31 ft 5 in (9.58 m)
Propulsion	2 × 375 hp (280 kW) triple expansion engines
Speed	15.4 knots (28.5 km/h; 17.7 mph)
Capacity	2600 tons general cargo 286 passengers (126 first class & 160 second class)
Armament	4.7 in (120 mm) gun

The Kyarra was a 6,953 ton (7,065 t) steel cargo and passenger luxury liner, built in Scotland in 1903 for the Australian United Steam Navigation Company.

Construction and launch

The Kyarra was built at Dumbarton by William Denny and Brothers, and launched on 2 February 1903 on the River Clyde, Scotland. Her name was taken from the aboriginal word for a small fillet of possum fur.

Career

For ten years Kyarra sailed between Fremantle, Western Australia, where she was registered, and Sydney, New South Wales carrying cargo and passengers. She sailed the flag of the United Steam Navigation Company Limited of London.

On 6 November 1914 she was requisitioned and converted into a hospital ship (HMAT A.55 Kyarra) for the purpose of transporting Australian medical units to Egypt. The hull was painted white with a large red cross on the side. In March 1915, Kyarra was converted into a troop transport. Commonwealth control ended 4 January 1918.

Sinking

On 5 May 1918, Kyarra was sailing from Tilbury to Devonport to embark civilian passengers and take on full general cargo. However she was sunk by UB-57 near Swanage with the loss of six lives on 26th May 1918.

It was discovered in the late 1960s by a member of the Kingston and Elmbridge British Sub-Aqua Club, which later bought the wreck. The wreck, which lies one mile off Anvil Point, remains popular with divers.

External links

• UK Diving: WRECKS: Kyarra