Objects from Wyola

Wyola was a steam tug built in 1912 in South Shields, UK, and owned by Swan River Shipping Company. On its voyage from the UK to Fremantle, Wyola stopped at Balla Balla, Western Australia, to collect the barque Concordia, which had been wrecked in a cyclone earlier that year. Wyola towed Concordia to Fremantle for use as a coal hulk. 

At the time of its arrival, Wyola was one of the most powerful and efficient tugs in Australia. It operated not only in Fremantle, but all along the WA coast, undertaking long-distance towing, salvage, and rescue operations.

The objects on display were salvaged from Wyola when it was scrapped in 1970. The objects are a steam whistle (MH 1011), lifebuoy (MH 1016), and ship’s telegraph from the engine room (MH 1022 and MH 1023). 

An ash hoist engine and Sunderland Forge generator engine from Wyola, are also on display in the Robert Steele Steam Machinery exhibition.

Oil painting by C. D’Arcy-Evans, 1918, showing Wyola pulling bow of P&O passenger liner Malwa away from the wharf. Pilot boat, Lady Forrest is also shown in the foreground to the right. Donated by M. Donnes, Fremantle Ports, MH 699.