Cherry Venture

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Cherry Venture was a 1600 ton cargo ship of Scandinavian origin.

It ran aground on Teewah Beach on July 6th 1973 and remained on the beach for 34 years until its removal in early 2007.

Contents 1 Cause of the Wreck 2 Public Interest 3 Salvage Attempts 4 Removal 5 External Links 6 References

[edit] Cause of the Wreck

Cherry Venture was wrecked due to a combination of severe storms and a lack of cargo.^[1] The unladen ship sat high in the water, which when combined with the high tides and strong swell propelled it to a point far enough up the sand that it could not be successfully re-floated^[1], despite attempts that involved dredging the beach ^[2].

On the day of the storm the ship was traveling from Auckland to Brisbane.

[edit] Public Interest

The wreck was a popular stopping point for tourists en-route between Noosa and Fraser Island and has been photographed often.^[3]

[edit] Salvage Attempts

The wreck was subsequently purchased by Peter Vagellas an Australian entrepreneur who had intended to re-float to vessel and convert it into a luxury liner and floating casino to service the Great Barrier Reef. Eight salvage attempts over the next few years failed. ^[4]

[edit] Removal

In late 2006 it was announced^[5] that the wreck would be demolished due to increasing dangers posed by the wreck, including exposed Asbestos in the engine room^[6].

The removal process, which necessitated cordoning off a section of public highway which runs along the beach next to the wreck, began on February 13th 2007.

[edit] External Links

• The Cherry Venture on Google Maps

[edit] References

1. ^ ^{a b} Shipwrecks in Australia, Australian Broadcasting Corporation
2. ^ The Cherry Venture
3. ^ Flickr Tag for Cherry Venture
4. ^ Bad luck follows the Cherry Venture
5. ^ A FADING Queensland icon is about to receive its last rites.
6. ^ Cherry Venture wreck to be removed from Teewah Beach