Cherry Venture
 The shipwreck in the 1970s
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| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | Cherry Venture |
| Route | Auckland to Brisbane |
| Builder | Lindholmens Varv, Gothenburg |
| Completed | 1944 |
| Out of service | 1973 |
| Fate | Shipwrecked |
| Status | Demolished |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 1600 |
Cherry Venture was a 1600 ton cargo ship of Scandinavian origin. It ran aground on Teewah Beach in South East Queensland, Australia on 6 July 1973 and remained on the beach for 34 years until its removal in early 2007.
Cause of the wreck
Cherry Venture was wrecked due to a combination of severe storms and a lack of cargo.[1] Buoys in the area recorded wave heights of up to 40 feet (12 m)*.[1] The unladen ship sat high in the water, which when combined with the high tides and strong swell propelled it to a point far enough up the sand that it could not be successfully re-floated, despite attempts that involved dredging the beach.[1][2]
On the day of the storm the ship was traveling from Auckland to Brisbane.
Salvage attempts
The wreck was subsequently purchased by Peter Vagellas, an Australian entrepreneur, who had intended to re-float to vessel and convert it into a luxury liner and floating casino to service the Great Barrier Reef. In 1977 there was a failed attempt to refloat the ship.[3] Eight salvage attempts over the next few years also failed.[citation needed]
Public interest
The wreck was a popular stopping point for tourists en route between Noosa and Fraser Island, and has been photographed often.[4] Despite safety warnings regarding the rusting structure's unsound nature, visitors would often climb over the wreck.[3]
Removal
In late 2006 it was announced that the wreck would be demolished due to increasing dangers posed by its deterioration, including exposed asbestos in the engine room.[5][6]
The removal process, which necessitated cordoning off a section of public highway which runs along the beach next to the wreck, began on 13 February 2007.
The ship's stainless steel propeller is mounted as a monument in the township of Rainbow Beach.
2013 hull recovery
After the demolition of the wreck in 2007, the state government ordered the site to be buried for the safety of visitors. In 2013, Cyclone Oswald and local storms caused severe erosion at the site which removed the layer of sand above the remains of the hull. This sparked the tourism business as the wreck was and now still is a special example of Australia's shipping history.
See also
References
- ^ a b c Shipwrecks in Australia, Australian Broadcasting Corporation
- ^ The Cherry Venture
- ^ a b "Cherry Venture to be removed next month". The Age. Fairfax Digital. 16 January 2007. Retrieved 30 January 2008.
- ^ Flickr Tag for Cherry Venture
- ^ A Fading Queensland icon is about to receive its last rites.
- ^ Cherry Venture wreck to be removed from Teewah Beach
External links
Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in 1973 | |
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| Other incidents |
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