CHEMICAL WEAPONS SUNK
IN EX MANLY FERRY SS BINNGARRA
OFF SYDNEY, NSW
ON 11 DECEMBER 1946

The SS Binngarra, 58 metres long, with a draught of 3.25 metres, was launched in 1905 and was a Manly Ferry on Sydney Harbour for 25 years. SS Binngarra was taken out of service as a Manly Ferry in 1930 and after being laid up for three years, she was sold in in 1933 and towed to Balmain, where she was hulked. Her hull was then relocated to Port Stephens where she was used as a timber hulk.

The hull of the SS Binngarra was requisitioned by the US Navy during WWII and was towed to New Guinea where she became a stores ship. She was often towed between ports with her precious military cargo. Binngarra was towed back to Sydney after the war ended and on 11 December 1946 her hull was filled with chemical warfare agents and surplus ammunition and towed to a disposal area about 35.5 miles off Sydney where she was sunk in 1100 fathoms of water using scuttling charges. She sunk within 4 minutes at around 5:57pm on 11 December 1946.

REFERENCES

SS Binngarra - A Special Project of the Ferries of Sydney

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"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 27 December 2012

This page last updated 20 April 2024