DIVE LOG Australasia

• Recent extreme weather on the east coast of Australia has done damage to the ex-HMAS Adelaide at Terrigal NSW, causing it to break up. Scuttled in 2011, all the superstructure above the main deck has now washed off the wreck and it is now sitting on the sand beside the hull. The dive site has been closed until it can be deemed safe because of the unstable sheets of metal.

• The story of the wreck of the South Australian is now being told in a museum exhibit that allows history buffs to see it through the eyes of divers. The exhibit at the Australian National Maritime Museum recreates the story of the South Australian, which was wrecked off Victor Harbor in SA on 8th December 1837, making it SA’s oldest colonial shipwreck. It is hoped that the exhibition will travel to other museums around the country, and eventually become part of the National Trust Museum at Victor Harbor. See https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024 07-10/south-australian-shipwreck-recreated-national-ma ritime-museum/104072212 for further details. My own report on the exhibition can be found at https://stevereynolds.wixsite.com/website/post/vr-dive on-the-wreck-of-the-south-australian .

The ex-HMAS Adelaide being scuttled off Avoca Beach on the NSW central coast in 2011

• The 1942 SS President Coolidge shipwreck has reportedly lost all the promenade deck. The ex-HMAS Hobart , however, is still standing strong after 22 years since being scuttled in November 2002.

The ex-HMAS Hobart being scuttled off then South Australian coast in 2002

Signage for the restricted South Australian wreck site

• The ex -HMAS Canberra site has also seen severe weather conditions, but the wreck is better oriented into the prevailing swells. Initial engineering had indicated that there would be significant structural breakdown after 20 years on the bottom, and it was scuttled 15 years ago off Barwon Heads in October 2009.

• The Willunga National Trust Branch has been granted funding to support the Branch in curating their Experiencing Shipwrecks of the Tragic Shore exhibition through the Maritime Museums of Australia Project Support Scheme. The Trust’s Museum recently celebrated the 136th anniversary of the sinking of the Star of Greece on 13th July 1888. • Condolences to the family and friends of shipwreck author Hugh Edwards who passed away on 10th May at the age of 90 after a fall at his home. A celebratory wake attended by family and friends was held at the WA Maritime Museum on 6th June. His family have sold off most of his collection of books, documents, photographs and keepsakes, the bulk of which was scooped up by Kerry Stokes.

The ex-HMAS Canberra being scuttled off Ocean Grove, Victoria in 2009

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DIVE LOG Australasia #408 - October ‘24