GLENELG DREDGE
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| Type of dive: |
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Scuttled wreck |
| Snorkelling: |
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No, too deep! |
| Scuba: |
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Open Water |
| Access: |
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Boat only (20 minutes) |
| Depth: |
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15 – 18 metres (50-60’) |
| Visibility: |
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5 – 15 metres (15-50’) |
| Water temperature: |
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12 – 22°C (54-72°F) |
| Seasonal: |
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No, can visit anytime |
In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, the South Australian Dive Industry was instrumental in gaining government approval for a series of artificial reefs.
The result to date is two tyre reefs; the Grange Tyre Reef (late 1970’s) and the Glenelg Tyre Reef (1983), and the sinking of several disused vessels, all close to the city of Adelaide.
The Glenelg Dredge and the nearby Glenelg Barge are part of the underwater fleet which also includes three barges – The Stanvac Barges (1954), The Lumb (1994), MV Seawolf (2002), and Ex-HMAS Hobart (2002) which is a must do dive.
In 1912, the Glenelg Dredge, originally named ‘South Australian’, joined the bucket dredge ‘Adelaide’, the tug ‘Tandanya’ and two hoppers to become part of one Australia’s most up-to-date dredging fleets.
She spent most of the next 70 years working around Port Adelaide and the Outer Harbour before being laid up in 1982.
After being stripped, she was scuttled in 1983
The dredge now lays upright and intact on sand in 18 metres (60’) of water and the depth of the deck is 15 metres (50’).
The suction crane on the bow and the boilers in the engine room are quite obvious.
The wreck supports many species of fish including brown spotted boarfish, long-snout boarfish, various leatherjacket species, dusky morwong, plus schools of common bullseye, old wives and long-finned pike.
Graceful blue devils, rock ling and cuttlefish can be spotted under the wreck and on the sand. Common sawshark have been sighted next to the wrecks, albeit rarely.
In 1984, she was joined by the Glenelg Barge, a hopper barge used by the South Australian. The barge is only 30 metres (100’) from the dredge and there is a star dropper trail set up to assist navigation between the two wrecks.
Both wrecks can easily be dived on the same dive.
Penetration of the wrecks by untrained and ill-equipped divers is not recommended due to the dangers of tight compartments, sharp rusting metal and silt.
Copyright © 2024 Steve Sinclair
Vessel details:
Type: Self-propelled cutter suction dredge
Launched: Holland, 1911
Sank: 1985 (scuttled)
Length: 41.9 metres (137.5’)
Beam: 3.5 metres (11.5’)
Displacement: 395 tons
Speed: Unknown
Crew: Unknown
Passengers: Nil
Other great dives to do while you are there:
Ex-HMAS Hobart, Broken Bottom, Port Noarlunga, MV Seawolf and Glenelg Tyre Reef.
Local dive services:
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ADELAIDE SCUBA |
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BLAST EXPERIENCES |
OTHER INFORMATION
LOCATION
State or Territory:
South Australia
Nearest City:
Adelaide
Nearest Regional City:
Not relevant
Nearest Town:
Not relevant
HOW TO GET THERE
Air:
Nearest International Airport:
Adelaide
Nearest Domestic/Regional Airport:
Adelaide
Road:
Not relevant
Bus:
Not relevant
Train:
Not relevant
Ferry:
Not relevant
THINGS TO DO
Adelaide Zoo
South Australian Museum
Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Centre
National Railway Museum
Adelaide Jail
South Australian Aviation Museum
Australian Rules Football
McLaren Vale & Barossa Valley Wineries
Flinders Ranges
Granite Island Penguin Colony