'Atlas', 1966

The W D Atlas was a 197-foot dredge that had been designed to work in ports and along rivers. It had a tendency to roll even in moderate seas, but on May 20th 1966 the weather was far more than the Atlas could handle. The Atlas was being moved from Whyalla in South Australia to Sydney, prior to it being sailed to New Zealand to be overhauled. At 10pm, when the ship was off Point Perpendicular at Jervis Bay, captain Alan Gordon McTackett could see they were in serious trouble as the engines were swamped and the ship began to list. He sent out a mayday call and warned his crew to stand by the lifeboats. However, the dredge suddenly began to sink. 13 crew members, including Captain McTackett, died. Four crew members were rescued as a result of two Iriquois helicopters from 723 Squadron RAN, based near Nowra, and HMAS Vendetta responding to the mayday call. An inquiry found the ship had serious deficiencies and should never have been allowed to sail without a tug.

Image: The W D Atlas