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30/11/2007: "SAUMAREZ REEF MEMOIR ........ Francis Preston Blair "

The bronze prop was salvaged by Australian's sometime after this picture in 1964.

We were the first divers to visit Saumarez Reef.

Bob Grounds, Ron Zangari, Ron Taylor, Wally G. Muller (our Captain) and myself went there aboard the fishing boat Riversong departing from Yeppoon, Queensland.

Ron Taylor (aged 29) filmed his 30 minute documentary of the expedition which included footage of this grand shipwreck - a wreck with a live WW2 ammunition.

After the documentary was widely shown in theatres, unknown persons salvaged (stole) the big bronze four-blade propeller and others started a fire which detonated the ammunition.

The 7,196 ton US Liberty Ship is now owned by the Australian military. RAAF aircraft have used it for target practice.

What caused the explosion in the ship's bow has been denied as being from enemy action.

Original fishermen folk lore had the ship 'hit by a torpedo and run aground to prevent sinking and loss'.

This has been denied by authorities, others believe the truth will never be known.

Today the wreck has collapsed completely. Rust never sleeps.