SS Ava

The SS Ava was a British passenger and cargo steamship operated by the British India Steam Navigation Company (BI) during the late 19th century. Primarily serving routes between the United Kingdom and India, it transported passengers, mail, and general cargo. The vessel is notable for its sinking in the South Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Western Australia in 1897. The sinking resulted in significant loss of life, making it a prominent maritime disaster of its time. The cause of the sinking remains officially undetermined, with theories ranging from an accidental explosion of coal gas to a spontaneous combustion of coal.