The steamship Gambier a vessel of 1550 tons, was involved in a collision with the S.S.Easby while entering the West Channel at night in August 1891.
The Easby hit the Gambier amidships, and at right angles, nearly cutting the Gambier in two. She sank rapidly and at least 21 passengers and crew were drowned. The survivors were taken on board the Easby and taken to Melbourne.
The Wreck was considered a hazard to shipping, and was blasted.
The Gambier lies in 13 m, in the West Channel between Pop's Eye and Queenscliff. The bottom is sand, with light weed and small areas of patchy reef.
The wreck is usually sanded over, and as a result, is usually of little interest to all but the serious wreck fanatic. It can offer surprisingly good diving after a storm, when sand movement can uncover interesting sections of the hull, and even various artefacts. The wreckage is widely scattered due to the blasting.
Being in the West Channel special permission is required to dive on the Gambier.
Be aware of the location of the several passenger ferry’s, which have been known to pass uncomfortably close to the dive site on their regular runs between Queenscliff and Sorrento.
The dive site is prone to tidal currents, and can only be dived at slack water. Despite its shallow depth (13m), bottom time will be limited to 30 minutes.