The American Star Picture Gallery.

ADDED ON 04-06-2008.

Andy Lawrence from Rotherham, UK wrote that he had just recently returned from a two week holiday in Fuerteventura. He said "It was very sad to see the ship in the state it's in, as I saw her when I was a child, when I waved my gran off on the start of her journey to Melbourne, Australia".

*I was surprised to see so much of the wreck was still visible above the surface after all this time, it just shows how strong the hull had been built. I would have expected her to have disappeared below the water by now.* (Ken)

Click on any of the thumbnails below to view a larger image.

Many thanks to Andy Lawrence for his contribution to the site.

ADDED ON 12-02-2008.

Justyn Greentree and his partner visited the wreck in Fuerteventura earlier this month, and took these two dramatic photos below. They were taken on 6.02.08. Justyn knew very little about the history of the ship, but loved reading all about her on this site. They were on vacation at the time, and are from Norfolk, in the UK.

Click on any of the thumbnails below to view a larger image.

Many thanks to Justyn Greentree for his contribution to the site.

ADDED ON 08-01-2008.

Catherine Wilkes and her husband have just returned from Fuerteventura and have kindly sent me their latest pictures. As you can see she is still hanging in there, but for how much longer, who knows. Catherine has taken some of these photos from different angles on the beach, a few are taken through the rocks along the shore. There are more photos taken by Catherine and her husband further down this page. (see: Added On 13/06/2007).

Click on any of the thumbnails below to view a larger image.

Many thanks to Catherine Wilkes for her contribution to the site.

ADDED ON 12-10-2007.

Eros Bonfanti was on holiday in Fuerteventura and decided to take a trip to the wreck. As you can see from these two photos below, it will not be long before the wreck will probably disappear under the water. Eros was on vacation from Italy when he took the pictures. You can clearly see that there is not much left to the wreck now - I wish I had gone over with Doug Griffiths (ex-passenger who ran a web-site about the ship). He came over to see me here in the UK, from New Zealand, and visited the wreck several times during his stay.

Click on any of the thumbnails below to view a larger image.

Many thanks to Eros Bonfanti for his contribution to the site.

ADDED ON 13-06-2007.

Catherine Wilkes and her husband visited the shipwreck, just as they do every year, when they go to Caleta de Fuste in Fuerteventura. They were both shocked at the deterioration since they were last there in December 2006. Catherine remarked that the beach area around the wreck is so beautiful and romantic. It landed in an ideal setting for it's remaining days. She really hopes it is still there when they return at Christmas.

The first three photos were taken in December 2006 and the rest are from 29th May 2007.

Click on any of the thumbnails below to view a larger image.

Many thanks to Catherine Wilkes for her contribution to the site.

ADDED ON 18-04-2007.

Susan & Andrew Dickinson have recently returned from seeing the wreck in Fuerteventura, their two young children could not get over the sight of the wreck. They live by the sea here in the UK, but there is nothing quite like this in UK waters! Andrew took the photos on March 27th. It is evident by the photos that the wreck is split apart once again, but she's not going down without a fight!

Click on any of the thumbnails below to view a larger image.

Many thanks to Andrew Dickinson for his contribution to the site.

ADDED ON 27-03-2007.

I received the photos below from Dany Dierick, taken on the 6th. of March. Although very difficult to read his message I believe he is trying to tell me that the surfer in the photos is Bob Ramakers. Dany said the surfing there was a very dangerous mission because of the current and the falling wind in the bay and radical waves to pass over!

Click on any of the thumbnails below to view a larger image.

Many thanks to Dany Dierick and Bob Ramakers for their contribution to the site.

ADDED ON 12-02-2007.

In September 2006 Sonia and Eddy Devroey sent me a selection of photos taken at the American Star wreck in Fuerteventura. Below are their latest pictures of the wreck taken on 03/02/2007, this was the twelth time they have visited the wreck. According to Sonia and Eddy the beach is full of wreckage and items from the ship, ie: lamps, toilet seats, sofa's, furniture... in fact everything that can float is there, although nothing is in good shape.

Sonia & Eddy are from Belgium and are fascinated by the wreck. Eddy feels the wreck is in a very bad shape now and probably will not be there much longer. The photos were taken with a Nikon Digi camera.

Click on any of the thumbnails below to view a larger image.

Sonia and Eddy have also sent some video footage of the wreck: View The Video Of The Wreck.

Many thanks to Sonia and Eddy Devroey for their contribution to the site.

ADDED ON 26-10-2006.

Juan and Malene Calbarro were in Fuerteventura on the 12th. of October when his wife took the photos shown below. They wanted to share these photos with all the admirers of this unforgettable ship. Juan and Malene lived on the island between 2000 and 2004, and returned in the first two weeks on this month (October 2006).

As can be seen in the photos, the tropical storm Delta, which reached the islands in November 2005, has caused the wreck to tilt even more. It seems the American Star will not be able to survive another hard winter any more. We might be seeing the last images of this beauty.

Click on any of the thumbnails below to view a larger image.

Many thanks to Juan and Malene Calbarro for their contribution to the site.

ADDED ON 5-4-2006.

These dramatic photos were sent in by Steve Whittington and were taken on the 18th. of March.

Click on any of the thumbnails below to view a larger image.

Many thanks to Steve Whittington for his contribution to the site.

Anyone interested in knowing how to get to the wreck can find details at this site: Fuerteventura Tourist Information

This page was designed by: Ken Ironside.

Due to a huge volume of questions I am asked, for which often I do not have the information, I have decided to ask that only ex-crew actually write to me please.

I am delighted with everyones contributions, and will occasionally update the Australis web site, using photos/stories etc sent to me. However I cannot answer any more questions.

Thankyou for your sustained interest in the SS Australis Homepage.

Please e-mail me on this link: Contact.

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