On her maiden voyage home to London the s.s. Waratah left Melbourne on January 15th 1908 for Adelaide via Backstairs passage which lays between Kangaroo Island and the mainland of South Australia. The passage at its narrowest point is 15 kilometres wide and its maximum depth is 75 meters, it is a treacherous passage in high winds with a current running up to 4 knots and can easily set a vessel off course if not watched. It was dark when the Waratah approached the passage from the south with the Willoughby light ahead. The third officer Mr. Bennet was on watch with Captain Ilbery on the bridge at the same time. A series of signals were made to the Waratah from the lighthouse by the keeper Mr. George Angus which read, " you are running into danger" the third officer drew the signals to captain Ilberys attention. Shortly after the same signals was repeated then became continuous. Mr. Bennet said to the captain, "aren't you going to turn her out?" Captain Ilbery replied, "wait till I go down and get my glasses" Ilbery then left the bridge, (how long for is not mentioned). After a while Mr.Bennet turned the ship out and on sounding the depth of water with the hand lead it was found to be only six or seven fathoms, Waratah was drawing about four and two third fathoms (28 feet) which meant she had only 8 to 10 feet under her keel.
It was not known what was said when Captain Ilbery returned to the bridge but once the officers found out it was said, that there was a want of confidence in Captain Ilbery amongst them and they thought he ought to be relieved. Bennet who held a masters certificate was paid off in London and told the Court of inquiry that he had been promoted. Whether he and Captain Ilbery got on after the incident is not known. Perhaps Ilbery wanted him removed and the real reason for his leaving the ship was kept quiet in the court they certainly did not want the incident revealed in public. Captain Ilbery was taken sick after the Waratah docked in London and whatever his illness was we can only guess. Was Bennet given the promotion to keep his silence?
Backstairs Passage.
