Latest News

Two new scuttled wrecks have been found by another group of explorers off Port Philip Heads - the Iron barque Don Diego (scuttled 1916) and the Teak barque Veralum (scuttled 1930).

Graveyard chart updated.

To conincide with the 5th birthday celebrations of the Red October Group on 1st June 2006, work has began on the new vicshipwrecks.com web site.

The new site will contain an extensive array of information about technical diving, shipwreck hunting, and historical details about shipwrecks in the Ships' Graveyard.

"Red October" is back from its dry dock work and ready to recommence diving and shipwreck searching activities.

Our diveboat "Red October" is in dry dock for an exhaustive maintenance programme.

Works to be undertaken include:

• New Bow Rail
• New Exterior Paint (Gunnels to Water Line)
• New Interior Paint (Cabin, Decking, Battery Box)
• Improved Diver Entry Ladders
• Improved Diver Gear-Up Benches
• Replacement of Batteries
• Replacement of all Fuel Hoses, Hose Clamps, Fuel Filters
• Hydrostatic Testing of a Fuel Tanks and Plumbing
• Replacement of Steering O-Rings and Hoses

No diving or shipwreck searching activities will be conducted during this period.

The April/May 2004 edition of Sport Diving contains an extensive article about the Red October Group and our mapping project. Be sure to check it out.

The 2003 Summer Edition of the American Technical Diving Magazine, Immersed has an extensive article about the Red October Group and our exploits in Bass Strait.

Be sure to check it out at www.immersed.com

Unfortunately, the new wreck located in 55 metres of water turned out to an old wreck which has been dived often over the years called the "Auriga".

The "Auriga" is a 487 ton iron barque which was scuttled on 5th February 1930 outside Port Phillip Heads.

Over Easter we located a new wreck in 55 metres of water. We are yet to dive this wreck and are unable to confirm its identity, but are hoping that it is the remains of the "Malaita".

The 940 ton steam ship "Malaita" is the fourth largest vessel in the Ships' Graveyard, her location has remained elusive since she was disposed of in 1928.

The wreck known around the local dive community as 'Jimmies Dunloe' was positively identified by us as the "Fawkner", a 388 ton steam hopper barge that was scuttled in 1935. This vessel is a sister ship to "Batman".

Identification of known wrecks are important so that we know which wrecks are still waiting to be found. Our latest research indicates that the vessels "Hume" and "Rip" are the final two shipwrecks still to be located in Commonwealth Area #3.

Today, the wreck sits upright on the ocean floor in 57 metres of water, her bow broken and pointing towards the surface. The stern has a distinctive sailing ship wheel and all three masts are clearly identifiable suggesting the wreck was scuttled with all three masts intact. The forward mast is lying at a 45 degree angle out from the starboard bow. The centre mast is lying 90 degrees to the length of the hull, also towards the starboard bow, a crows nest exists ¾ way up the centre mast. The stern mast is lying approximately 45 degrees to the hull, pointing also towards the starboard side of the vessel. The port side hull has collapsed inwards, the starboard side has disappeared mostly into the sand, only the original ribs of her are still protruding. On first inspection the bow appears to be plumb, but this is an illusion based on the way the bow has broken off. Her bow is curved, consistent with a sailing vessel.

The 10 metres viz. helped in being able to see significant portions of the wreck. Thanks to Simon Hamilton, Lee Evans for assisting in-water.