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Divers Den

TITAN CRANE BARGE (1992)

Port Macquarie, New South Wales

Non-motorised crane vessel

VESSEL DETAILS
Launched:
1916, Carlisle, England
Sank:                          
1992, scuttled
Length:
54 metres (176’)
Beam:
24.3 metres (80’)
Displacement:
2,125 tons
Speed:
Not self-propelled
Crew:
Unknown

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
The non-motorised crane vessel, Titan, was prefabricated in England and partially assembled in Sydney in 1916.

Her final assembly was not completed until 1919 because the original 40-ton lead screws for the jib arm were lost when the merchant ship transporting them was torpedoed.

Once completed, her 27 metre (90’) cantilever arm could reach 58 metres (190’) and lift up to 150 tons using two counterweights. Titan could also use water ballast tanks as counterweight.

Titan was the largest working crane in Australia and was in service for over seventy years.

In 1989, her operating licence was refused due to the poor condition of her rivets and even though classified by the National Trust in 1990, she was sold to a Singapore company.

It was decided to tow Titan to Singapore for repairs but during her journey north, in adverse weather, the tow line entangled the tow vessel’s propellor shafts resulting in the Titan turning upside down and losing her crane just off South West Rocks.

Titan was then towed south and scuttled off Point Perpendicular, just south of Port Macquarie, and now sits upside down in 38 metres (120’) of water.

The hulk is covered in sponges and soft corals, and attracts a diverse array of fish including schools of kingfish and mulloway.

Giant cuttlefish are also often seen at the wreck site along with wobbegong sharks.

Diving conditions can be difficult due to its depth, swell and current, so experience is a necessity.

Special thanks to Peter Huettner from Scuba Haven.
Copyright © 2025 Steve Sinclair

DIVE DETAILS
Scuba:                                      
Deep Diver
Snorkelling:                           
Too deep for snorkelling & freediving
Access:                                     
Boat only (15 minutes)
Depth:                                      
28 – 38 metres (90-125’)
Visibility:                                
12 – 20 metres (40-65’)
Water temperature:           
17 – 21°C (63-70°F)
Seasonal:                                
No, can visit anytime

OTHER GREAT DIVES WHILE IN THE AREA
The Cod Hole, The Wall, Bird Rock, Bonnies Reef, Leah’s Lumps, Cod Grounds plus more.

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

OTHER SERVICES

DIVE TRAVEL SERVICES