SS COOGEE (1928)
Port Phillip Heads, Victoria
Three-masted iron screw steamer passenger ferry
VESSEL DETAILS
Type:
Three-masted iron screw steamer passenger ferry
Launched:
Sunderland, England 1877 as Lancashire Witch
Sank:
Scuttled 1928
Length:
69 metres (225’)
Beam:
9.24 metres (30’)
Displacement:
762 tons
Speed:
Unknown
Crew:
Unknown
Passengers:
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
In 1888, the renamed vessel, Coogee, arrived in Melbourne from England to do the Melbourne to Geelong passenger run. She also did a brief stint on the Melbourne to Launceston, Tasmania, passenger and cargo run in 1903.
She was commissioned as HMAS Coogee by the Royal Australian Navy during World War I and served as an armed minesweeper until being decommissioned in 1919 .
Coogee was chartered to repair the Bass Strait cable in 1921 and returned to the Melbourne excursion trade before being laid up and subsequently sold as scrap in 1927.
After the removal of her engines, Coogee was scuttled in 1928 about four kilometres south west of Port Phillip Heads.
During her time in Victoria, she was involved in several collisions and near misses.
Her collisions resulted significant costly damage and two lives were lost, her captain and helmsman, in a 1903 collision in fog with the Fortunato Figari.
Coogee now lies on her keel on sand in 33 metres (110’) of water.
Her remains present a spectacular dive and are covered in brilliant yellow zoanthids, sponges and whip corals, and ever-present schools of splendid perch and bullseye.
Although much of the wreck has collapsed, the bow which lays on her portside is readily recognisable. Other highlights include the boilers located midships, the running rails, and the steering quadrant to the stern presents an imposing sight. The rudder is obvious too.
Coogee is certainly up there with Australia’s best wreck dives!
Copyright © 2025 Steve Sinclair
DIVE DETAILS
Scuba:
Deep Diver
Snorkelling:
Too deep for snorkelling & freediving allowed
Access:
Boat only (30 minutes)
Depth:
33 – 36 metres (110-120’)
Visibility:
8 – 30 metres (25-100’)
Water temperature:
13 – 18°C (55-64°F)
Seasonal:
No, but November to May best
OTHER GREAT DIVES WHILE IN THE AREA
Ex-HMAS Canberra, J-Class submarines, Eliza Ramsden, Lonsdale Wall, Portsea Hole & many 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
SCUBABO DIVE VICTORIA
37 Learmonth Street
Queenscliff VIC 3225
+61 (3) 5258 1188
info@scubabo.com
www.dive.scubabo.com
SPECIAL OFFER: Free Friday Night Accommodation (One per entrant)
To redeem: Email info@scubabo.com & quote 50 Great Dives
OTHER SERVICES
Need somewhere to eat & drink?
Wharf Street Pantry
6/4 Wharf Street
Queenscliff VIC 3225
+ 61 (3) 5258 2365
info@wharfstreetpantry.au
www.wharfstreetpantry.au
Need somewhere to eat & drink?
360Q
2 Wharf Street East
Queenscliff VIC 3225
+ 61 (3) 5257 4200
enquiries@360q.com.au
www.360q.com.au
DIVE TRAVEL SERVICES
LOCATION
State or Territory:
Victoria
Nearest City:
Melbourne
Nearest Town:
Sorrento/Queenscliff
HOW TO GET THERE
Air:
Nearest International Airport:
Melbourne
Nearest Domestic/Regional Airport:
Melbourne for Sorrento/Avalon for Queenscliff
Road:
Melbourne to Sorrento:
1.5 hours (110 km/70 mi) via M 1 and Mornington Peninsula Fwy/M11
Melbourne to Queenscliff:
1.5 hours (110 km/70 mi) via M 1
Bus:
From Melbourne
Train:
Sorrento:
Not available
Queenscliff:
From Melbourne to Geelong then bus
Ferry:
From/to Sorrento or Queenscliff
