Introduction to SS Coramba

Artwork by the VMC The year was 1920, a time indelibly etched in the memory of Audrey O’Callaghan, then a young girl of twelve summers. It was the day she last saw her father, Captain John Dowling, a man whose presence filled their lives with an unwavering love and the comforting scent of saltwater. The image of their parting, though decades old, remained as vivid as if it were yesterday, a poignant tableau painted in the hues of childhood innocence and a growing premonition of sorrow.

Her father, a man of the sea, was embarking on a routine voyage aboard the cargo steamer TSS Coramba, destined for Warrnambool in Victoria’s south-west to collect goods. A fortnight was all that separated them, a seemingly insignificant lapse of time in the grand scheme of things. Yet, a sense of unease, as subtle as the shifting breeze, lingered in young Audrey’s heart. They were exceptionally close, a bond forged through shared laughter, whispered secrets, and the comforting weight of his hand on her shoulder. This bond was evident in the tender goodbyes they exchanged on that fateful day. As she kissed her father, her small voice, tinged with a hint of melancholy, uttered a wish that would forever haunt her, “Dad, I wish you were at home every night like other dads.”

Captain Dowling, with a reassuring smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes, replied, “I won’t be long, sweetheart. This is just a short trip.” His words, a promise whispered into the wind, were soon to be tragically broken. The TSS Coramba, along with its captain and its crew, vanished without a trace. The whispers of the sea, once a comforting lullaby, now carried a chilling silence.

Years turned into decades, and the ship and its crew became a ghost story whispered along the coast, a haunting reminder of a tragedy that defied explanation. The mystery deepened with each passing year, fueling the flames of despair in Audrey’s heart. She clung to the memory of her father, his warm embrace, his steady voice, and his unwavering love. She carried the burden of his absence, a constant ache that resonated in the depths of her being.

It was only in 2001, after an arduous search that spanned the better part of a century, that divers finally discovered the wreck of the TSS Coramba, bringing an end to the mystery that had consumed countless lives. The discovery brought a bittersweet sense of closure, unveiling the secrets of the depths and finally offering a resting place for those lost at sea.

Yet, for Audrey O’Callaghan, the discovery left behind a lingering ache, a tender wound that time had never fully healed. She had never forgotten the parting words of her father, a promise of a return that was never to be. The memory of his smile, his reassuring words, and the unspoken love that bound them together remained a bittersweet testament to a father’s love and a daughter’s enduring grief.