MARIA ORR:
Located in Southern Tasmania off the eastern tip of the point just south of Recherche Bay, this ship was the largest vessel built in Tasmania in 1838 and was used as a whaling ship. The diving conditions are reasonably sheltered. The dive is quite shallow, around about 20 metres to the sandy bottom. This site is considered to be well worth the visit.
KARITANE:
Located in Squally Cove on the southern side of Deal Island in the Kent Group, Bass Strait. The Karitane was a steel screw steamer built in the UK in 1903. It struck Deal Island in December 1921. This site is very attractive in good weather, with crystal blue water in a sheltered bay. The safe conditions and the amount of structure left make it an excellent dive.
KATHERINE SHARER:
Located on the southern side of the entrance to Port Esperance. The Katherine Sharer was built in the UK in 1850. She was used mostly to transport gunpowder. The shipwreck was first used for diving in 1929, and is still very popular. The wreck is on a flat, sandy bottom and is easy to find.
GEORGE III:
Located 2km northwest of Actaeon Island, south of the entrance to D’Entrecasteaux channel in southern Tasmania. The George III was built in 1810, and sunk on an unmarked reef on the night of 12 April 1835. The dive is 5-10 metres in depth and is highly exposed to weather from all directions. The wreck is hidden in bull kelp, and divers are warned not to venture into any sort of swell. It is recommended to start diving early in the morning, when the weather is calmest.
The shipwrecks listed here are among the most popular dive sites in the state. Other shipwrecks used for diving in Tasmania are the WALLACE, MARY WADLEY, CAMBRIDGESHIRE, BULLI, LAKE ILLAWARRA and NORD.
Some good sites to check out for more information on shipwreck diving in Tasmania:
The Australian National Shipwreck Database:
http://eied.ea.gov.au/nsd/public/welcome.cfm
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~kemoon/Taswreck.html
http://www.dpiwe.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/ThemeNodes/LVAE-57G8RG?open
http://oceans1.customer.netspace.net.au/tas-main.html
Posted by The Skipper on Tue, October 21, 2003 at 03:52 AM
