News
Divers discover mystery shipwreck off Sydney coast
A mystery shipwreck has been discovered off the Sydney coastline by divers.
Using sonar technology and old records from the NSW Department of Public Works and Royal Australian Navy, self-confessed history “nut” Scott Willan found the wreck about 6.5kms directly east of the Macquarie Lighthouse, near Watsons Bay.
The wreck, which is about 28m long sits upright in 73m of water.
Photos show the rudder and bow of the iron-hulled ship which are clearly distinguishable, despite being covered in seaweed and shellfish.
Mr Willan, who dived the wreck last week, said he is 95 percent sure he can identify the vessel.
“Based on reinterpreted data I have from Public Works and more recent data from a survey by the Navy in the area, I think it’s the SS Yamba, a tug boat that was used in Sydney Harbour,” he said.
Records show the Yamba was a 104-ton iron-hulled, steam-powered tug built by Altas Engineering in 1920 for J. Fenwick and Co., an old Balmain-based tugboat company.
Mr Willan said she was stripped down and then scuttled in 1942.
On its website the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage described the Fenwick Tug Boat Company as the “earliest and pre-eminent tugboat operator on Sydney Harbour.”
Official records state that the Yamba “foundered approximately 5 miles off South Head, bearing west by north (magnetic) in 40 fathoms”.
“You’ve got to remember this was a time when ships were moving away from steam to diesel powered engines,” Mr Willan said.
“To strip out the old steam boiler to put in a diesel motor would have been expensive.”
After the discovery Mr Willan had to report the find the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage as well as the federal government’s Australian Hydrographic Service, which maintains and produces navigational charts.
Photos: Damien Siviero
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
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We’re thrilled to announce the final addition to our new Scubaverse Underwater Photography Team: multi-award-winning underwater filmmaker and photographer Jacob Guy.
Like Shannon Moran, who we announced as one of our new underwater photography team members yesterday, Jacob represents the next generation of underwater image-makers, bringing fresh energy and a seriously impressive set of credentials to the team. A Fourth Element ambassador, teacher at The Underwater Club, and co-founder of 71%, Jacob is passionate about conservation and natural history storytelling, using his lens to inspire a deeper connection to the ocean.
Jacob has filmed and self-produced award-winning documentaries and worked as a photo and video pro in Lembeh and on liveaboards throughout Indonesia. Most recently, he was named Young Ocean Photographer of the Year, further cementing his reputation as one of the most exciting emerging talents in underwater media today.
You may already be familiar with his compelling work across social media, where he shares his ocean adventures via @JacobGuy.media.
“I’m really excited to be joining the team at Scubaverse,” said Jacob.
“And I couldn’t be happier to have him onboard,” said Scubaverse founder, Dave Alexander. “Jacob is part of a bold new wave of underwater storytellers—and I’m delighted that Scubaverse can be part of his journey as he continues to make waves in the world of diving and underwater photography.”
We can’t wait to share with you what our new underwater photography team cook up—there’s a lot of exciting stuff on the horizon, so stay tuned!
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