Dive standard : Open water Diver
Depth 12 mtrs
Launch site : Rosebud pier
Chart no : Aus 158
Latitude : 38" 20’58" east
Longitude : 144"52’21" south
Description : A three masted iron clipper built in Scotland. The Hurricane was a cargo and passenger ship and had a reputation as a very fast ship.
The
remains of the Hurricane now lie in nine to twelve meters of water off
shore from Rosebud, Port Philip Bay.
The wreck lies in a seabed of sand, silt and shells. Although the site has been extensively salvaged and appears extremely broken up, divers can still see obvious features of the Hurricane including the capstan, main deck winch and hawse pipes at the bow. The rudderstock and part of the stern structure can be seen facing the shore. Other wreckage scattered about includes hull plating, deck beams, the ships frames and the keelson.
The Hurricane wreck is an exiting dive for natural history enthusiasts and photographers. The remains of the iron hull have formed an artificial reef and have been colonised by a variety of colourful marine plants and animals including Sponges, urchins, starfish and bryozoans. It is also host to parrot fish, rockcod, bullseyes, pike and scaleyfins and boarfish. A resident school of over 400 old wives live around the stern and often follow divers exploring the wreck. Around 30 to 40 stingrays also inhabit the wreck site. Unfortunately, divers disturbing the sandy seabed can easily reduce the visibility at the wreck site.
The Hurricane was protected as a Historic Wreck on the 25th of October 1989 under the Victorian Historic Shipwrecks Act (1981). Any deliberate damage or interference to the Hurricane is an offence under the act and offenders face tough penalties.
The fast sleek clipper, Hurricane was built in 1853 to transport cargo and take passengers between Liverpool and Melbourne. It was considered a safe, modern ship for its time.
A newspaper of the time published just after the ship was built described the Hurricane as, "well calculated for sailing, stability and stowage and altogether a finer specimen of iron ship was never launched".
The Hurricane made many successful voyages to Melbourne, but on 21st April 1869, it was wrecked while being guided through port Phillip heads. Today the Hurricane is a popular recreational dive. Although only a few of the ships original features can be seen, the remains of the vessel have formed an artificial reef which supports an abundance of marine life.
Built in Scotland, the Hurricane was an example of iron ship building at the height of fast record-breaking clipper technology. In fact the ship would make the journey between Liverpool and Melbourne in 60 days. At the time, this was considered quite a feat.
The
Hurricane had three main masts and was designed with watertight
compartments cemented throughout the ship. The ship was built with high
bulwarks – the high wooden planking along the sides of a ship to prevent
seas washing the deck and crew and passengers from or being washed
overboard.
The Hurricane had a gross tonnage of 1198 tons. It measured 214.9ft(65.4m) in length, 30.7ft(9.35m)in breadth. And had a depth of 20ft(6m).
The Hurricane carried cargo to supply the growing settlements of port Phillip and country Victoria. On its final voyage its cargo included canary seed, whisky, malt, bottled beer, glassware, caustic soda, saddlery, wire, nails, leather and blankets.
On its return voyages it usually took a cargo of wool, wheat, gold, mutton and beef and passengers returning to England.
Accommodation on board the Hurricane for fare paying passengers was supposedly quite luxurious and was said to be "unsurpassed by any ship in harbour". Intending passengers were invited to inspect the facilities.
The Hurricane left Liverpool on the 12th January 1869 under the command of Captain Johnson. It carried a hefty load of over 2000 tons of cargo as well as three first class passengers, 16 steerage passengers and 28 crew. The ship arrived off port Phillip Heads on the 21st April 1869 where a pilot came on board to steer the vessel through the rip.
As the Hurricane sailed passed point Lonsdale, it appeared to graze some rocks but as the ship was in the designated shipping lane, there was no cause for concern. As a precaution the pumps were operated in the hold, but it was found to be dry.
The
pilot steered the Hurricane into the south channel and headed toward
Melbourne. One of the crew reported that water was entering the hawse pipes
(holes for anchor ropes in the sides of the bow, connected at the deck).
Captain Johnson again ordered his crew to the pumps, however this time,
they found over two meters of water in the Main hold.
The anchors were released and the Hurricane changed course for Capel bay but it was too late. Before pumping could begin, the Hurricane began to sink. Passengers and crew were ordered to lifeboats as the ship sank in seven meters of water. Fortunately, no lives were lost and the majority of the ships cargo, anchors and fittings were recovered by divers and later sold at auction.
In the 1870’s a green wreck buoy warned sailors of the wrecks presence. In the 1960’s the wreck was considered a hazard to shipping and blasted with explosives.