Dive standard : intermediate
Locating the wreck of the Victoria Tower
Launch site : Torquay
Chart no : AUS 349
Latitude : 38" 1900" south
Longitude : 144"2175" east
Compass Bearings:
1.Dune Scour 340- mag 352 (T)
2.Point Impossible Beacon 30- mag 42 (T)
3.Barwon Heads 70- mag 82 (T)
4.Headland Point Addis 220- mag 232 (T)
5.Green Roof Bowling Club 240-mag 252 (T)
Dive Conditions: Victoria Reef is subject to heavy surge even in a low swell. When local rivers are in flood, visibility is extremely poor.
Description : A magnificent three masted iron hulled clipper. One of a small class of general cargo traders.
The magnificent
White star clipper, Victoria Tower was on its maiden voyage to Melbourne
when it was wrecked on rocks at Bream Creek, near Barwon Heads. It was one
of a small class of general cargo traders built from iron.
In the latter part of the 19th centaury, iron hulled ships dominated shipping, particularly in Britain and Europe where builders were facing a shortage of timber. However, the use of iron had its problems. Ships compasses were frequently distorted by the irons magnetic field making navigation very difficult.
Victoria Tower was thought to be an extremely attractive ship. After the vessel was wrecked, the Geelong Advertiser reported; "One or two of the sails were still flapping uselessly in the breeze and had it not been that the foremast had gone by the board, one could have imagined that the splendid vessel was still pursuing her course. Certainly under full sail, she would have been a beautiful sight. Her lines were greatly admired by those having any knowledge of such subjects".
The wreck of the
Victoria Tower lies in approximately five meters of water on the Victoria
Reef a limestone network of underwater caves and gullies. The wreckage
extends for approximately 100 meters and lies broadside to the shore with
its bow facing east.
The most impressive part of the wreck is the bow, which is intact. Divers can see a large section of hull, and the bowsprit and martingale in this region of the wreck site. Good examples of the ships upright frames can be seen at the starboard midships. Towards the bow and between the deck framing are two hatches either side of the foremost step.
The masts and yardarm lie on the seaward side of the wreckage.
The site has been extensively salvaged, though divers can sometimes see fragments of ceramics scattered around the wreck and pieces of slate and glass bottles in the hull.
The Victoria Tower was a three masted vessel of 1750 tons, Measuring 247ft in length, 40ft in breadth and had a depth in the hold of 23.7ft. The sips keel was 11" thick and above this was and 18" thick iron framework.
The Final Voyage of the Victoria Tower
Victoria Tower began its voyage from Liverpool to Melbourne on 24th July, 1869. Its cargo included slate, iron pipes, Guinness Extra Stout and various items of hardware. The ship also carried 40 passengers and a crew of 36. On the 17th October 1869. The ship was almost at its destination. That night, The weather was stormy and a thick fog blanketed the coast. Although the compasses had been out, and sightings of land were difficult to make due to the poor weather conditions, Captain Kerr was confident of the ships position and decided to fire blue lights and rockets to attract the attention of the port Phillip pilot boat.
With no response from the pilot, the Captain ordered the crew to maintain the ship on a starboard tack onwards Cape Shank lighthouse, which was only just visible in the distance. Unknown to the Captain, treacherous currents in the area were pulling Victoria Tower off its set course. At 1am, the ship crashed into rocks between Bream Creek and Spring Creek. The ship hit with such force that the main mast was driven through the keel. Anchors were immediately let go to hold the ship, but it was driven broadside onto the sea, some 400 yards from shore.
The Captain ordered the second mate and four seamen to lower one of the lifeboats and find help ashore. As the small lifeboat was lowered, the mainmast snapped in two. The five crew dived out of the boat to avoid being hit by the falling timber and managed to swim ashore.
The men spent four hours walking through muddy swamps before finding a fence line to follow. Eventually they arrived at the house of a "Mr Pierce" whom together with a local fisherman, was able to raise the alarm and organise a whaleboat to rescue those still on board.
The crew and passengers who remained on Victoria Tower would not have known what was to become of them. They had no idea whether the sailors had made it to shore or if the ship would break up.
Early next day, all 76 passengers and crew had been brought to safety. One of the special passengers, a dog by the name of Ben, who had become a favourite among the children during the voyage, was greeted with delight after he swam to shore.
There was a great deal of excitement in Geelong as news of the shipwreck spread among townsfolk. The road to Bream Creek was apparently lined with vehicles of all descriptions and there was "not a horse or any vehicle to be obtained in town".
The Geelong Advertiser remarked at the generosity of the local people towards the shipwreck survivors.
"Nearly everybody carried something for the relief of the sufferers; whisky, brandy, tins of preserved meat and loaves of bread". The sailors were also greeted with a tonic of gin, whisky and rum.
An inquiry held by the Steam Navigation Board on 27th October 1869, found Captain Kerr guilty of negligence and his Captains certificate was suspended for six months. The Victoria Tower was originally valued at £25,000 but the hull and cargo were sold for £6,000. Most of the 3,400 tons of iron pipes, Guinness, hardware and slate cargo were salvaged.