s.v. 'Magdala' - On 21st February 1882 the merchant ship s.v. 'Magdala' sailed out of Penarth Dock with a cargo of coal headed for the Indonesian island of Ternate Moluccas. Her master was a man named Nelson. During the 2015 search for the stricken aircraft, flight MH370, two shipwrecks were identified, one of which is believed to be the remains of the 'Magdala' situated in deep water about 1,340 miles off the coast of Australia in the Indian Ocean. The most likely cause of her loss was a catastrophic explosion probably caused by the need to batten down the hatches in the Roaring Forties and inevitable build up of coal damp in the sealed holds.

The search identified anchors, chain and one of the most interesting finds was a large rectangular metal object, six metres in length, which initially generated excitement as a possible treasure chest. It was found to be the iron water tank from the vessel. Also note the scattering of coal around the area! This image of the remains of the tank is believed to be from the merchant ship 'Magdala'. Image courtesy of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau. [879]

Background to Report - In June 2014 the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) contracted survey company Fugro to undertake a wide-area bathymetric search for the missing Malaysian Airlines Boeing 777 aircraft (flight number MH370) aircraft. In the course of undertaking the search lasting until 17 January 2017, four sonar contacts were identified as shipwreck sites. The ATSB sought advice from the WA Museum’s Department of Maritime Archaeology which identified two of the wrecks as mid to late 19th century historic sailing shipwrecks, designated Indian Ocean Shipwreck (IOS)-001 (located May 2015) and IOS-002 (located December 2015). This report summarises the historical research and maritime archaeological analyses that have been undertaken in an attempt to identify these sites. The other two shipwrecks, located in March 2016 and October 2016 respectively, were identified as late 20th century motorised fishing trawlers, and are not included in this report. [880]

MISSING VESSELS. The undermentioned vessels, which have previously been referred to as overdue, were on Wednesday posted at Lloyd's as missing :— The Magdala, Captain Nelson, official No. 53,712, which sailed from Penarth for Ternate Moluccas, laden with coals, on February 21st. - South Wales Daily News [325] [361] 3rd November 1882.

The same newspaper records that the 'Magdala' of 394 tons arrived at Penarth Dock from London, in ballast, on the 9th February 1882.