Dive standard : Basic – intermediate
Launch site : Barwon Heads, Queenscliff or Portsea.
Chart no : AUS 158/AUS143
Latitude : 38" 17’45" south
Longitude : 145"36’45" east
Dive Conditions: As this site is tidal it is best to dive between the end of ebb tide and the start of flood tide.
Description : A magnificent four masted iron barque built in Liverpool.
A magnificent four masted barque, the Holyhead became quite a local attraction after it was wrecked on Point Lonsdale Reef in February 1890. As news of the disaster spread, Huge crowds gathered at Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff to gaze at the ship with it sails flapping in the wind. As one newspaper reported:
"It’s an ill wind that blows nobody good, but yesterday’s wind blew good luck to the cab men of Queenscliff. They are reaping great benefit as half of Queenscliff appears to be on the rocks a gazing at the wreck".
Of course shipwrecks in that areas were not uncommon. Between 1841 and 1890, over 30 ships were believed recked in the area. In 1883, the George Roper came to grief on Port Phillip Bay. Nearby are the wrecks of the Glaneuse and the Gange.
The Holyhead was the pride and joy of its Liverpool owner. The fact that the ship was on its maiden voyage and was so close to its final destination, made the wreck of the Holyhead an even greater tragedy.
The wreck of the Holyhead now lies
seaward of Point Lonsdale reef, 100 meters to the west of the George Roper
in four to five meters of water.
The wreck site extends for approximately 100 meters. At the stern, divers can see the ship’s steering gear including its rudder and rudderpost. The rudder has actually broken in two: Half stands upright, While the remainder lies on the port side of the wreck. There is also some iron hull plating scattered around this part of the wreck site.
Along the bottom of the wreck, the ship’s floors, the keelson, side keelson, frames and more iron plating can be seen.
Divers swimming between midships and the bow should find a stack of slate and railway iron – remains of some of the ship’s cargo. Toward the bow, just beyond the winch, the wreck becomes scattered. Mast stumps, a mast cap, yards, windlass, hull structure and a bollard are just some of the gear to be found in this area. A significant feature of this site is that it is windless.
Over the past twenty or thirty years, cutlery, glassware, portholes and other small artefacts have been salvaged from the wreck of the Holyhead.
The Holyhead was a "crack vessel" of the prestigious shipping company, W Thomas and Co. Of Liverpool. It was built under special survey at the renowned shipyard of R J Evans and Co. And Lloyd’s ranked the Holyhead in the highest class, 100A1.
It was a sturdy vessel constructed of iron. It had two decks, A bulkhead (a cemented partition in the hull to make it watertight), and a poop deck – a raised aft deck typical of large sailing ships.
The Holyhead measured 294ft (89.6m) in length, 42ft (12.8m) in breadth and 24.5ft (6.25m) in depth. It had a gross tonnage of 2336 tons.
The Holyhead departed Liverpool on the 23rd November. 1889 with a crew of 32 and a cargo valued at £60,000. A large part of the cargo comprised iron railings for railway construction. Other cargo included slate, spirits, chemicals and crockery. The Holyhead’s maiden voyage was swift and uneventful and cape Ottway was sighted on the 11th February 1890. The next day a squall blew up from the southeast and a mist enveloped the sea. The Holyhead was travelling at seven knots an hour with all sails hoisted. As the ship approached the Heads, Captain Williams retired downstairs and left the first mate in charge. The Holyhead signalled for a pilot for three hours but was unable to attract the pilot schooner. The first mate continued to sial nearer the entrance although he was aware that the vessel’s compass readings were distorted by the iron hull: a common problem in early iron ships.
Because visibility was limited and the compass was not accurate, It appeared that the Holyhead was still a considerable distance from shore. The first mate had never sailed in Victorian waters and was unaware that the Point Lonsdale reef extended into the sea for 100 meters.
Meanwhile on shore, the Officer in charge of the signal office had hoisted the danger signal but was not seen by the Holyhead.
Suddenly the ship’s watch warned of "breakers ahead". The first mate tried to tack the vessel and take it out to deeper water. But the wind was blowing violently and the Holyhead was thrown on to Point Lonsdale reef. Despite dragging the anchors, the Holyhead struck with a heavy thud. The wind was now a gale force and torrential rain swept across the ship. Seven feet of water filled the main hold.
The pilot schooner Rip came alongside, and the pilots press and stalker came aboard. The Holyhead was bumping violently against the rocks and the pilot realised there was no hope of pulling the vessel off the reef.
At the same time, a lifeboat crew had left Queenscliff and had to row against a strong tide to reach Point Lonsdale and the stricken ship. The lifeboat had to make two trips in gale force winds to rescue the crew of 32 and land them safely on the beach at Point Lonsdale.
As the seas abated, it appeared that the ship might remain on the reef. Calmer weather made it easier for cargo to be unloaded. After two unsuccessful attempts to tow the Holyhead free, the ship was sold for salvaging. In august, as salvage work was proceeding fierce storm blew up sending fittings, planks, hatches and other debris flying onto the beach at Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff. The ship eventually broke up and sank.