Kyarra

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

Construction and launch

The Kyarra was built at Dumbarton by Denny Bros and launched on February 2, 1903 on the River Clyde, Scotland.

Career

For ten years Kyarra sailed between Fremantle, Western Australia where she was registered, and Sydney, New South Wales carrying cargo and passengers.

On November 6, 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 January 4, 1918.

Fate

On May 24, 1918, she sailed from Tilbury for Devonport, Plymouth towards the western end on the Channel where she was to embark with civilian passengers and full general cargo. On May 26 however, before she could do so, she was attacked and fatally wounded by UB-57 near Swanage and sent to the bottom. Six lives were lost.

Today the wreck of Kyarra lies in about 30 metres of water just a short boat ride out of Swanage. The wreck is one of the most visited wrecksites in England and draws thousands of divers to her each year.