Waratah: Descendants and Memories

THEIR MEMORY LIVES ON

The souls on board Waratah on her final voyage in July 1909 were never seen again, but their memory lives on for their descendants and for those who take an intense interest in

what really happened on that voyage between Durban and Cape Town. Memorial inscriptions placed in commemoration of individual passengers and crew members are to be found in many parts of the world, and ceremonies continue to be held on the annual anniversary of the Waratah's disappearance.

The photos below were taken at the event held in Victoria, Australia
on Monday 27 July 2009 

 to mark the Centenary of the loss of the Waratah.

An inscribed plaque was unveiled by Winton McColl, great grandson of John Ebsworth:

The Blue Anchor Line steamship Waratah en route to England from Australia
was lost off the South African coast in extremely heavy seas
between Durban and Cape Town on 27 July 1909.

Captain Josiah Edward Ilbery, 118 crew and 113 passengers, including 75 from Australia
perished without a trace.

100 years later, descendants cast wreaths on the waters of Port Phillip Bay
and unveiled this plaque to remember them.

Queenscliffe Maritime Museum July 2009

Display done by Staff of Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Click on pic to zoom

Ted Ebsworth was chosen to cast the memorial wreath into the sea. With him is the youngest of Mr John Ebsworth’s descendants, David Harrison and Museum Staff.

As the ferry crossed the anticipated path the Waratah would have travelled as she departed from Port Melbourne on 1 June 1909, Ted Ebsworth, grandson of passenger Mr. John Ebsworth, cast the Protea memorial wreath onto the waters of Port Phillip, followed by fresh flowers from descendants and friends.

Courtesy of

Queenscliffe Maritime Museum

Weeroona Parade

Queenscliff

Victoria

Australia

Thanks to Sue Patterson.