The "Holy Grail" of shipwrecks has finally been resolved. The Australian steamship SS Nemesis, which vanished more than a century ago off the coast of Australia, has finally been found.
According to recent reports, the over-a-century-old maritime mystery of Sydney has found some closure. Nearly 120 years following the vessel's vanishing act during a ferocious storm in 1904, Subsea Professional Marine Services serendipitously stumbled upon the missing shipwreck. The company, engaged in a search for lost cargo on the ocean floor near Sydney, inadvertently uncovered the long-lost wreckage. As documented in 'The New York Post,' the SS Nemesis was en route to Melbourne with a cargo of coal when it encountered severe weather off the New South Wales coast, resulting in its disappearance along with its crew of 32.
The discovery made nearly 525 feet underwater and remained virtually untouched since its fateful plunge. Last year, CSIRO, Australia's premier science agency, captured underwater imagery that confirmed the wreck's identity, highlighting its distinctive features.
Upon closer examination utilising a drop camera, significant elements of the SS Nemesis were found intact, including two anchors resting on the seafloor. The findings suggest that the vessel succumbed to the storm due to engine failure, rapidly sinking after being engulfed by a massive wave. The suddenness of the sinking likely left the crew with insufficient time to deploy lifeboats.
Now, authorities are endeavouring to locate surviving family members of the crew who perished in the tragic incident. NSW Minister for Environment and Heritage Penny Sharpe expressed optimism that the discovery would offer solace to families and friends impacted by the ship's demise, particularly acknowledging the approximately 40 children who lost parents in the tragedy.
The underwater video footage collected by CSIRO will undergo meticulous analysis and reconstruction into a 3D model of the wreck for further scrutiny. Minister Sharpe underscored the collaborative efforts between CSIRO and Subsea, leveraging modern technology and historical records to unveil the SS Nemesis' fate. Termed one of Sydney's most enduring maritime enigmas and dubbed the 'holy grail' by shipwreck researchers, the discovery brings closure to the captivating saga of the SS Nemesis.