BOOYA (1974)
Darwin, Northern Territory
Steel-hulled three-masted schooner
VESSEL DETAILS
Launched:
1917, Netherlands as De Lauwers
Sank:
1974, cyclone
Length:
35.8 metres (118’)
Beam:
7.4 metres (24’)
Displacement:
262 tons
Speed:
Unknown
Crew:
Four
Passengers:
One
WARNING: Wrecks should not be penetrated without proper training & equipment!
NOTE: All wrecks and related artifacts older than 75 years in Australian waters are protected by the Australian Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976. Nothing can be taken!
INFORMATION
Booya is one of many wrecks laying on the bottom of Darwin Harbour.
Most Darwin Harbour wrecks are the result of Japanese air raids during World War II, Cyclone Tracy and deliberate scuttling.
Over 20 vessels, including Booya, came to grief when Cyclone Tracy hit Darwin on Christmas Eve in 1974.
The Booya was launched in 1917 as the De Lauwers and sailed under various names prior to her final renaming 1964.
During World War II, Booya served as a United States Army communication ship under the name of Argosy Lemal.
When Cyclone Tracy hit Darwin, Booya was at anchor in Darwin Harbour loaded with stores bound for Dili.
She was only discovered by chance in 20 metres (60’) of water on her starboard side in 2003.
Booya is a protected wreck, and it is illegal to disturb, remove or destroy any of the vessel’s remains including the marine life. Permission is needed to enter the wreck’s exclusion zone.
Booya’s remains are the grave of the five people who tragically lost their lives, and serves as a monument to the tragic loss of life at sea due to Cyclone Tracy on Christmas Eve 1974.
More than 16 people lost their lives at sea the night Tracy struck.
The vessel’s bow, fuel tank, wheelhouse, mast sections, a winch, vents and hatches, and the propellor and rudder at the stern are readily recognisable.
The wreck supports a diverse array of marine life.
For more information go to: https://nt.gov.au/_media/docs/arts,-sport-and-leisure/arts/visit-a-cultural-or-heritage-site/maritime-heritage/booya-brochure.pdf
Note: A permit is required to access & dive this site.
Special thanks to Todd Hughes from Dive Darwin.
Copyright © 2025 Steve Sinclair
DIVE DETAILS
Scuba:
Advanced Diver
Snorkelling:
Too deep for snorkelling & freediving
Access:
Boat only (20 minutes)
Depth:
19 metres (62’)
Visibility:
5 – 15 metres (15-50’)
Water temperature:
27 – 30°C (80-86°F)
Seasonal:
No, but Dry Season best
OTHER GREAT DIVES WHILE IN THE AREA
USS Peary, USAT Meigs, Zealandia, Mauna Loa, Darwin Princess, Mandorah Queen, Medkhanun, Song Saigon & Catalina Flying Boats.
2026 GREAT AUSTRALIAN DIVE CHALLENGE
Dive Registration
To register this dive for validation, go to: www.50greatdives.com.
NOTE: Entrants should do this dive with one of the following preferred dive services.
DIVE SERVICES
DIVE DARWIN
GPO Box 1670
Darwin City NT 0800
+61 (0) 401 751 651
info@learntodivedarwin.com.au
www.divedarwin.com.au
SPECIAL OFFER: $50 off any Dive Darwin tour or course.
To redeem: Email info@learntodivedarwin.com.au & quote 50 Great Dives.
DIVE TRAVEL SERVICES
LOCATION
State or Territory:
Northern Territory
Nearest City:
Darwin
HOW TO GET THERE
Air:
Nearest International Airport:
Darwin
Nearest Domestic/Regional Airport:
Darwin
Road:
Adelaide to Darwin:
34 hours (3,030 km/880 mi) via Stuart Hwy and National Highway 87
Broome to Darwin:
20.5 hours (1,870 km/1,160 mi) via National Highway 1
Bus:
From Adelaide or Broome
Train:
Adelaide to Darwin (The Ghan)
