The MV Australia, originally named the Mary Ellen O’Neil, was built in 1928 as a tanker vessel to transport petroleum for Texaco. Acquired from the California Petroleum Corporation, she quickly became part of Texaco’s marine fleet, traversing U.S. ports. At 530 feet in length and 18,686 gross tons, the Australia was a massive vessel among those wrecked along North Carolina’s treacherous Diamond Shoals, also known as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic.”
A Fateful Journey
On March 15, 1942, under Captain Martin Ader, the MV Australia set out from Port Arthur, Texas, bound for New Haven, Connecticut, carrying a cargo of 110,000 barrels of heavy fuel oil. Amidst the growing danger from German U-boat attacks, Captain Ader navigated cautiously, changing course several times to avoid the fate of nearby torpedoed ships. However, as the Australia neared Cape Hatteras in heavy fog, U-332, a German U-boat, awaited its arrival.
The Attack
In the early hours of March 16, the U-332 struck the Australia with a single torpedo, hitting her engine room and tragically killing four crew members. Captain Ader ordered the crew to abandon ship, and within minutes, all survivors were safely in lifeboats. A passing ship, the SS William J. Salmon, rescued them, only for the Salmon to face a similar fate off the coast of Cuba just two months later.
The Wreck and Its Legacy
After sinking, the wrecked Australia became a popular, albeit dangerous, site for Hatteras locals to scavenge exposed parts of the ship. Over time, the Navy demolished the wreck to prevent navigation hazards. Interestingly, a Liberty ship, the SS William W. Johnson, was named in honor of one of the Australia’s fallen crew members.
Diving the Australia
Today, divers visiting the Australia encounter two primary sections—the bow and stern—separated by about 200 yards in waters of 100 to 110 feet. The stern remains the most intact, featuring a large sand wave and scattered debris. Marine life abounds here, with sightings of sharks and other sea creatures. Meanwhile, the bow section, though partly buried, offers ample opportunities for exploration with its jumbled structure, a haven for marine life.
The Australia Remembered
A large model of the MV Australia is displayed at the American Merchant Marine Museum in New York, paying tribute to her story and her crew’s bravery. For those who brave the elements to dive the wreck today, the Australia is a stark reminder of the perilous days of World War II and the sacrifices of the Merchant Marine.
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