William Dawes | NSW Environment, Energy and Science

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William Dawes

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History

The William Dawes was a US steel "Liberty" ship (Official Number 89056) built and registered in Portland, Oregon. The two-decked vessel had a tonnage of 7176 tons gross, a cruiser stern and length of 416 feet (126.8 metres). She was powered by a triple expansion engine.  William Dawes was on US wartime convoy duty operating along the New South Wales south coast when she was struck by torpedo off Tathra by a Japanese I-class submarine (possibly I-11).  Cargo included ammunition, jeeps, lorries, field ambulances and half tracks.

The incident occurred at 5.30 am on 22 July 1942, near Tathra Head. This followed the sinking of the vessel George S. Livanos near Jervis Bay (20 July 1942) and Coast Farmer nearby (21 July). William Dawes caught fire and took some time to sink with the survivors making shore at Merimbula. Five lives were lost in the action. The impact blew off the stern section. The next day, the steamer Allara was torpedoed near Newcastle but recovered.

Divers from the deep wreck diving The Sydney Project conducted the first ever dives to the site on 25 October 2004 using rebreathers to 135 metres. The site was located with the aid of local Bermagui commercial fishing operators and dive charter proprietor, Keith Appleby of Bermagui Fishing & Dive Charters.

The wreck site might retain evidence of War Dead and should be treated with respect and care.

Depth of site ~135metres, beyond recognised recreational diving limits.

Download NSW Heritage Office Information Sheet. (149kb PDF file)

photo: Survivors from the William Dawes being brought into Merimbula. Courtesy: Merimbula-Imlay Historical Society.
Survivors from the William Dawes being brought into Merimbula. Courtesy: Merimbula-Imlay Historical Society.
photo: US Liberty ship Jeremiah Obrien, one of two on static display in the world. Photo: Graham Williams.
US Liberty ship Jeremiah Obrien, one of two on static display in the world. Photo: Graham Williams.

Database

Site information

Site ID: 229
Type: Steamer Construction: Steel
Primary industry: Transport Sub-industry: cargo - international
Gross tonnage: 7176 Net tonnage:
Length (mtrs): 126.797 Beam (mtrs): 17.343
Draft (mtrs): 11.369 Cargo:
Engine: Triple expansion, 339 nhp
Country built: UNITED STATES State built:
Port built: Oregon builder:
Port registered: Portland, Oregon When built: 1942
Registration number: Official number: 241489
Sources: Lloyd's RBS 1942-3 Gill, RAN 1942 - 43
Comments: Liberty ship sunk by torpedo fired from Japanese submarine I-11. Depth of site ~135m

Lost event

When lost: 1942/07/22 Where lost: Tathra Head off
Wrecked/Refloated: Wrecked Sinking: Torpedoed
From port: To port:
Master: Owner: United States Maritime Commission
Crew: Passengers:
Crew deaths: 5 Passenger deaths:
Total deaths: 5

Location

Maximum latitude: -36.59433333333 Minimum latitude:
Maximum longitude: 150.22033333333 Minimum longitude:
Datum used: WGS84
  Datum    Latitude    Longitude    Zone    Easting    Northing
AGD66 -36.59433849843220 150.22033333333000 56 251339.16863908800000 5946515.90736222000000
AGD84 -36.59433849843220 150.22033333333000 56 251339.16863908800000 5946515.90736222000000
GDA94 -36.59433337091970 150.22033333333000 56 251340.05602970700000 5946530.55719063000000
WGS84 -36.59433337001630 150.22033333333000 56 251340.05602825800000 5946530.55718232000000

Management

Found: Yes Inspected: Yes
Protected: Underwater Cultural Heritage Act 2018 Jurisdiction: Federal
Protection notes:
Signage: Web address: http://ahoy.tk-jk.net/macslog/LibertyShipWilliamDawes.S.html