Wreck-cellent: Tangalooma Virtual Cache
Hidden : 9/16/2022
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
4.5 out of 5

Size: Size: virtual (virtual)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works
Looking for a different adventure?

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:


Here we will wrecks-plore some of the most famous of the many and varied abandoned shipwrecks around Brisbane and Moreton Bay. This is the world-renowned Tangalooma Shipwrecks; 15 of them. They are a haven for wildlife and tourism, and are popular for fishing, swimming, snorkelling and diving. But each of the hulks scuttled here has its own story too. Visiting this graveyard is easy enough if you ask the right people.

In 1963 the Small Craft Co-ordination Committee approached the Government to provide a stone breakwater about one mile north of Tangalooma, Moreton Island, to give shelter for small craft. On 1 Aug 1963 the Courier Mail newspaper wrote:

Scuttling boats to build a wall.
Old dredges and harbour work craft are being scuttled in Moreton Bay to form an emergency small boat anchorage. The anchorage will be one mile north of the former Tangalooma whaling station. The [Queensland] Treasurer, Mr [Thomas] Hiley decided to put [some obsolete ships] back to "work" after attempts to sell them failed to attract reasonable bids. The ships are being sunk in a line about 200 yards offshore on a sandbank. End-to-end, they will create a wall 1,000 feet long, and in places, 20 feet above high water. The operation began last week, and depending on weather conditions, should be finished next week.

The craft being used are the bucket dredge Maryborough, commissioned in 1885, suction dredge Remora (1912), hopper barges Bream and Dolphin (both 1887), the anchor launch Kookaburra (1933) and two unnamed dumb barges. The Director of the Department of Harbours and Marine (Mr. AJ. Peel) said yesterday that the Maryborough already was in position.

Between 1963 and 1984, fifteen vessels would be scuttled here, forming a breakwater 440 metres long and creating the iconic Tangalooma Wrecks, 90-160 metres from the shore.


The week of 2 Nov 2015, Maritime Safety Queensland cut the Tangalooma wrecks down to just above the waterline for public safety reasons, after the bucket dredge Platypus II started collapsing. Removed and toppled parts were placed on the seabed beside the vessels.

MARYBOROUGH (Aug 1963)

Built in 1885 by Walkers Ltd in Maryborough for the Queensland Government Department of Harbours and Marine, at a cost of £32,026, 1 shilling and 4 pence, the Maryborough was an iron steam-powered bucket dredge.

It commenced work in November of 1885. In 1887, it was sent to Bundaberg to dredge a channel through the Burnett Bar, and the same again in 1890. Then, from Aug 1892 until Jul 1894 depression meant the Maryborough was largely laid up in Maryborough, save for a few months in early 1893 after floods.

A new channel was to be cut for access to the Brisbane River. The Maryborough worked at the outer end of this cutting, while the Hercules dredged the inner end. Work on this project was completed on 1 Oct 1912.

In 1913, Maryborough was lengthened on Peters Slip, enabling it to dredge deeper. By the end of 1960 though, it was laid up outside Cairncross Dock and kept as insurance in case of severe silting-up after heavy rainfall. The Port of Brisbane was without a heavy lift crane, and given Maryborough was capable of being rigged for salvage, it was very valuable to have on call.

However, in Aug 1963, after 78 years of active life, the Maryborough was scuttled here at Tangalooma.

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

BREAM (Aug 1963)

Built in 1885 by Walkers Ltd. Of Maryborough, the Bream was made of iron and 44.2 metres long, built for the Queensland Government Department of Harbours and Marine.

In 1884, the Queensland Maritime Defence Force was formed and even though the government purchased three warships for the new force, more ships were needed. The Department of Harbours and Marine had just ordered five ships and the decision was made to convert them into auxiliary gunboats. The five ships were Bonito, Bream, Dolphin, Pumba and Stingaree. Each was built to 264 tonnes by Walkers Ltd. Of Maryborough and twin-screw, now fitted with a 5-inch gun and had boilers relocated below the waterline, they were the largest warships built in the Australian colony before federation.

The depression of Aug 1892 until Jul 1894 meant the Bream was used as a training ship and laid up. At the end of 1950, it was again laid up near Cairncross Dock, machinery in bad condition and considered slow. It was retained though, in case of a heavy wet season, and the need to support dredges. In 1962 it was decided to dispose of the vessel as it was considered past its useful life. It made it to Aug 1962, when scuttled here at Tangalooma.

[1] [2] [5] [7]

REMORA (Aug 1963)

The Remora was a steel, twin-screw suction dredge with a displacement of 1,045 gross tonnes. Built in 1912 by F. Schichau in Elbing, Germany (the East Prussia), it was 65 metres long, 11.3 metres wide and 4.8 metres deep. It was powered by two, triple expansion steam engines with 204 nominal horsepower.

It was built for the Queensland Government Harbours and Marine Department and was a forerunner to many more suction dredges that would follow. The Echeneis and Morwong, also here at Tangalooma were based of the very same design. In 1960 the Remora was still in commission for the board. Then, in Aug 1963 it was scuttled at Tangalooma.

[1] [2] [4] [5]
Lloyd’s Register Foundation: Remora 1912

DOLPHIN (Aug 1963)

The Dolphin shares an almost identical story with the Bream and Stingaree, also scuttled here at Tangalooma. Built in 1885 by Walkers Ltd. Of Maryborough, the Dolphin was made of iron and 44.2 metres long, built for the Queensland Government Department of Harbours and Marine.

In 1884, the Queensland Maritime Defence Force was formed and even though the government purchased three warships for the new force, more ships were needed. The Department of Harbours and Marine had just ordered five ships and the decision was made to convert them into auxiliary gunboats. The five ships were Bonito, Bream, Dolphin, Pumba and Stingaree. Each was built to 264 tonnes by Walkers Ltd. Of Maryborough and twin-screw, now fitted with a 5-inch gun and had boilers relocated below the waterline, they were the largest warships built in the Australian colony before federation.

The depression of Aug 1892 until Jul 1894 meant the Dolphin was used as a training ship and laid up. At the end of 1950, it was again laid up near Cairncross Dock, described as slow with bad boilers. It was retained though, in case of a heavy wet season, and the need to support dredges. In 1962 it was decided to dispose of the vessel as it was considered past its useful life. It made it to Aug 1962, when it was scuttled at Tangalooma.

[1] [2] [5] [7]

KOOKABURRA (Aug 1963)

The Kookaburra was built in 1934 by Evans, Anderson, Phelan & Co at Kangaroo Point. It was 17.6 metres long, 3.9 metres wide, 1.9 metres deep with a displacement of 27 tonnes and used at least at one point by the Queensland Government Marine and Harbours Department as an anchor launch, assisting dredge plant with their anchoring.

By 1963 it was described as ‘old’ likely having been laid up and past viable use. Then in Aug 1963 it was scuttled here at Tangalooma.

[1] [2]

STINGAREE (1966)

The Stingaree shares an almost identical story with the Bream and Dolphin, also scuttled here at Tangalooma. Built in 1885 by Walkers Ltd. Of Maryborough, the Dolphin was made of iron and 44.2 metres long, built for the Queensland Government Department of Harbours and Marine.

In 1884, the Queensland Maritime Defence Force was formed and even though the government purchased three warships for the new force, more ships were needed. The Department of Harbours and Marine had just ordered five ships and the decision was made to convert them into auxiliary gunboats. The five ships were Bonito, Bream, Dolphin, Pumba and Stingaree. Each was built to 264 tonnes by Walkers Ltd. Of Maryborough and twin-screw, now fitted with a 5-inch gun and had boilers relocated below the waterline, they were the largest warships built in the Australian colony before federation.

At the end of 1960, it was laid up near Cairncross Dock. On 23 Dec 1963, approval was given for the sale for £1,150 to the Riverside Coal Transport Co., who used it as a dumb lighter for a few years, transporting material and equipment in the Brisbane River. In 1966, it was towed to Tangalooma and scuttled with the other ex-Department and Defence Force vessels.

[1] [2] [5] [7]

PLATYPUS II (Mar 1966)

Built by Walkers Ltd. of Maryborough, the twin screw steamer bucket dredge Platypus II was launched on 24 Sep 1927. It was 60.9 metres in length, 12.2 metres in breadth, 4.8 metres deep and 1248 gross tonnes, with an 812 tonne hopper capacity. It replaced the Platypus (currently wrecked off Peel Island).

Delivery of the Platypus II was accepted in Brisbane by the Queensland Government on 27 Sep 1927. Once in commission, it was sent to Cairns to carry out dredging in very hard clay.

The Brisbane Courier wrote on 14 Sep 1927:
” The dredge Platypus II, just completed by Walkers, Ltd., for the Government, left on Sep 12, having been taken over after successful trials by the Harbours and Rivers Department. The vessel cost £80,000, and its construction reflects much credit upon those responsible.”

On 7 Mar 1966, the Platypus II was scuttled at the southern end of the growing breakwater at Tangaloooma, next to the Maryborough.

[1] [2] [4] [5]
The Brisbane Courier: 14 Sep 1927
Photo; State Library of Queensland: Playtpus II (ship)

SEAL (Dec 1966)

In 1926 a contract was let to Ferguson Brothers in Port Glasgow for two 812 tonne hopper barges. Being launched on 3 May 1927, the Seal and Dugong arrived in Brisbane in Jul 1927 and sea trials lasted 8 hours at full speed, with full hoppers and averaging 10.3 knots. They were each 51.8 metres long, 10.1 metres wide and 4 metres deep, with a triple expansion, 133 nominal horsepower steam engine. The role of these two barges was to serve the bucket dredges operating in the river.

On 13 Dec 1966, the Seal was scuttled at Tangalooma, bow towards the shore on the starboard side of the Platypus II.

[1] [2] [4] [5] [6]
Clydeships: Screw Steamer SEAL 1927

PELICAN (1966/67)

While some leave this vessel as unknown, it is likely a tug named Pelican. Built in 1885 in Brisbane (Likely by Evans Deakin of Kangaroo Point), it was an iron steamship of 21.1 metres long, 4.8 metres wide and 1.85 metres deep. During 1966 or 1967 it was condemned and scuttled at Tangalooma.

[5]
The Register of Australian and New Zealand Shipping: Corrected 1915

MORWONG (Apr 1973)

In 1925, a steel suction hopper dredge was built by Poole & Steele in Port Adelaide. Named No. 4 it was 1016 tonnes at 65.2 metres long, 11.6 metres wide and 4.7 metres deep. It was based on the same design as the Echeneis. In 1935, it was acquired by the Queensland Government Department of Marine and Harbours and at that time renamed the Morwong.

In 1960, it was in the South Brisbane dock undergoing reclassification, with the coal-fired boilers being converted to oil-burning. By mid-1960 after delays in receiving the necessary parts from England, the Morwong emerged as a very useful dredge once again, with rearranged and upgraded quarters. In 1973 though, after many decades of service, it was scuttled at Tangalooma.

[1] [2] [4] [5]

ICEBERG (Oct 1975)

The Iceberg was an appropriately named cold transport ship used to deliver frozen meat from the meatworks to export ships in Moreton Bay. Built by J. W. Sutton & Company in Brisbane in 1882, it was an iron ship of 293 gross tonnes, 38.8 metres long, 7.62 metres wide and 2.8 metres deep. It had a single triple-expansion steam engine of 40nhp and single screw propulsion.

Owned by Queensland Freezing and Exporting Co., it was sold to Howard Smith Co. Ltd in 1886. In 1939 it was sold to H&R Peters. The last known owners were Duncanson & Brittain. Then on 9 Oct 1975, Iceberg was scuttled at Tangalooma.

[1] [2]
Photo; State Library of Queensland: Iceberg (ship)

UKI (Jun 1976)

The Uki was launched at Port Glasgow on 21 Mar 1923, built by Lithgows Ltd. for the North Coast Steam Navigation Company. It was a steel motor barge of 533.4 tonnes at 46.55 metres long, 10.5 metres wide and 2.6 metres deep. On board, it had two triple expansion steam engines of 70 nominal horsepower, and the ship was capable of 9 knots. It was used to transport passengers and cargo in the form of turpentine timber piles from Northern NSW ports to Sydney.

On 11 Dec 1939, the Uki was requisitioned for conversion to a minesweeper for the Royal Australian Navy to aid in the war effort. It was given sweeping gear, guns and extra accommodation on board. In Oct 1944 it was returned to the owner.

In 1954, it was sold to M Bern & Co. Shipping in Sydney. It was then sold in 1960 to the Moreton Tug & Lighter Co. and converted again, this time into a diesel-engined river barge. It was equipped with 220 brake horsepower Caterpillar engines.

By 1960, the Uki was hulked in the Brisbane River; converted to a lighter and in 1963 it was owned by Campbell Construction Co. in Brisbane and used with dredges. It was stripped and scuttled in Jun 1976, then scuttled at Tangalooma.

[1] [2]
Flotilla Australia: North Coast Steam Navigation Company
Clydeships: Screw Steamer UKI 1923

BERMAGUI (1979)

The Bermagui was a 408 gross tonne teel barge built in 1912 by Ailsa Shipbuilding Company in Troon, Scotland for the Illawarra & South Coast Steam Navigation Company in Sydney. It had two double-expansion steam engines and was capable of 10 knots. On 3 Jul 1912 it was launched; 43.8 metres long, 9.7 metres wide and 2.51 metres deep.

On 30 Oct 1939, it was requisitioned for naval service as an auxiliary minesweeper and sailed the following day to Melbourne to begin fit out. It was fitted with one 12-pounder gun, one .303-inch Vickers machine gun, and four Type D depth charges. Many coastal steamers and fishing vessels were requisitioned, and they were manned by members of the Australian Naval Reserve. On 11 Dec, the Bermagui was commissioned and sailed for Newcastle on 19 Jan 1940 as a minesweeping unit. On 19 Feb 1943, it was returned to Sydney and converted to a controlled minefield tender.

Following the conversion, Bermagui was recommissioned on 4 Jan 1944 and would serve in the Brisbane Sydney and Port Stephens areas. Then, throughout 1944-45, it was employed as a torpedo trial vessel. Paid off again into reserve in Sydney on 23 Nov 1946, it was returned to its previous owners on 22 Jul 1946.

Three more times it quickly changed owners; 1951 to Lumber Operators P/L, in 1954/55 to Allen Taylor & Co. for the timber transport trade, and then in 1961 where it was converted into a dumb gravel barge for use on the Brisbane River. It was in use until 1979, when it was scuttled at Tangalooma after 33 years of post-war service.

[1] [6]
Royal Australian Navy: HMAS Bermagui
Flotilla Australia: Illawarra & South Coast Steam Navigation Company
Wikipedia: HMAS Bermagui
Clydeships: Screw Steamer BERMAGUI 1912

GROPER (Feb 1982)

In 1954, Fleming & Ferguson of Paisley, Scotland built a bucket dredge of 750 tonnes, 54.4 metres long, 11.3 metres wide, and 4 metres deep. With two triple expansion steam engines and boilers that ran on fuel oil, it was named the Groper and for the Queensland Government Department of Harbours and Marine.

During 1966-67, it was given a major overhaul with extensive renewals to the decks, the vertical shaft of the ladder drive and electrification of the bucket handling crane plus major repairs.

In Feb of 1982, the Groper was scuttled at Tangalooma as part of the breakwater here.

[1] [2] [5]
Lloyd’s Register Foundation: Groper 1954
Clydeships: Screw Steamer GROPER 1954

ECHENEIS (Jun 1984)

The Echenies, a steel, twin-screw drag suction hopper barge, was built by Walkers Ltd. of Maryborough in early 1953. It sported four, triple expansion steam engines of 700 indicated horsepower. At 1048 tonnes, it was 65.3 metres long, 11.6 metres wide and 4.87 metres deep.

On 28 May 1953, The Courier Mail newspaper wrote: “Brisbane's new deluxe dredge, the Echeneis, began operations yesterday at Mercantile Wharf and along the Bulimba reach. Harbours and Marine Department officials said yesterday that oil-fired boilers made the Echeneis the cleanest dredge in Australia. They said the accommodation for the complement of 16 men included padded seats, hot showers, refrigeration, and modern sleeping quarters. The Echeneis, which could continue pumping while mobile, would be valuable for dredging around wharves and river cuttings.”

On 4 Jun 1953, The Maryborough Chronicle newspaper wrote: “Within an hour today 1400 tons of mud sucked from the bed at Bulimba was helping to reclaim land for Brisbane's industrial growth at Hamilton. The medium was the new £510,000 suction dredge, Echeneis. The Echeneis was officially commissioned for the Harbours and Marine Department by the State Treasurer, Mr. Welsh. A large party of shipping interests and port officials boarded the Echeneis at Hamilton for a demonstration run. The ten-knot oil-fired dredge sucked in the 1400 tons of mud and slush at Bulimba in about 15 minutes. Fifteen to 20 minutes later it was moored near the steel wharf at Hamilton discharging the mud through a pipe, connected to its side, to land being reclaimed 300 feet away. The discharge was completed in about 20 minutes. The dredge will be available for all QLD ports, but at present will work the Brisbane River.”

The Echeneis was the last ship to be added to the Tangalooma breakwater, scuttled on 22 Jun 1984.

[1] [2]
Dredgepoint: Echeneis
The Courier Mail: 28 May 1953
The Maryborough Chronicle: 4 Jun 1953

Common Sources:
[1] Geoff Plunkett: ’Sea Dumping in Australia’ Department of the Environment and Heritage, 2003
[2] Nathan Richards: ’Australian National Abandoned Vessel Database, Volume 4’ Flinders University, 2003
[3] Dr. Roderick McLeod: ’A Short History of the Dredging of the Brisbane River, 1860 to 1910’ Royal Historical Society of Queensland, 1978
[4] Dr. Roderick McLeod: ’The Abandoned Hulks of the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay’, Royal Historical Society of Queensland, 1974
[5] Queensland Department of Harbours and Marine: 'Port and Harbour Development in Queensland from 1824 to 1985'
[6] Lance Paterson: 'Wreck-ollections: Ships and Shipwrecks in Queensland Waters, Volume 2'
[7] Wikipedia: Queensland Maritime Defence Force Auxiliary Gunboats

Di-wreck-tions for Logging

To claim a find on this geocache, you are required to visit GZ and take a photo to prove you were there, or otherwise at the wrecks and attach it to your 'Found It' log:
• Photos taken from shore or the ferry will not be accepted. Being at GZ necessitates being on a boat, or swimming in the water among the wrecks.
• Your photo may be a selfie (like the CO took to the right), or taken by a friend (if you choose to include your face).
• If not including your face, the photo must include some identifying object to prove it was you.
• Your photo/s must show some part of the wrecks.
• Back-dated photos from trips prior to the publish date will not be accepted.
• Every finder must upload a photo to their individual log. Photos must be attached to the log, not messaged to the CO.
• Multiple photos are very welcome!

Virtual Rewards 3.0
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between 1 Mar 2022 and 1 Mar 2023. 4,000 geocachers were given the opportunity to hide one. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 3.0 on the Geocaching Blog.

Additional Hints (No hints available.)



Advertising with Us

Inventory

View past Trackables

What are Trackable Items?

Bookmark Lists

View all bookmark lists...