ROOGANAH

Ronald Parsons' book "Ketches of South Australia" describes "Rooganah" as a Schooner built in 1909 by John Wilson in Port Cygnet, Tasmania. Official number 124540. In the 1920's the vessel was acquired from owners H Jones & Co of Hobart by G Loveder of Sydney. The vessel remained registered in Hobart. On August 19, 1927 under the charge of the owner and three crew, the vessel had discharged 1400 bags of coke at North Shields and was taking 198 cases of benzine to Whyalla. When about 8 miles from Whyalla an attempt was made to start the petrol engine which backfired and caused a fire that quickly spread throughout the ship. The captain was badly burned before the ship was abandoned. The Vessel was destroyed by this fire at 10am on this day. This image shows vessel with her racing topsails during one of Hobart's regattas, approx 1917. For more details refer to book mentioned above.