NORMA (1907)
Adelaide, South Australia
Four-masted iron barque
VESSEL DETAILS
Launched:
1893, Glasgow, Scotland
Sank:
1907, rammed in a gale
Length:
84.4 metres (277’)
Beam:
12.6 metres (41’)
Displacement:
2,130 tons
Speed:
Unknown
Crew:
Unknown
Passengers:
Nil
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
Named after the Welsh druidess, Norma had quite a chequered past prior to coming to grief in a gale in 1907.
She was caught in a revolution in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on her maiden voyage and escaped under bullet fire, and was nearly wrecked in a gale trying to enter the Port of Newcastle NSW unassisted by tugs, ironically, she was saved by tugs!
While at anchor, five kilometres off Semaphore near Adelaide SA, awaiting favourable weather to set sail for the United Kingdom, she was rammed by the inbound iron sailing vessel, Ardencraig, at 2 am in the morning.
Norma sustained severe damage amidships and sank quickly without loss of life.
She is now a twisted maze of steel with her masts and other structures spread over quite a large area on a sandy bottom in 15 – 18 metres (50-60’).
The resulting artificial reef is covered in marine life.
Nudibranchs adorn her remains while large schools of bullseye and old wives hover above the wreck.
Numerous wobbegongs inhabit Norma’s nooks and crannies.
The remains her figurehead are now in the custody of the South Australian Maritime Museum.
Special thanks to the Adelaide Scuba Team.
Copyright © 2025 Steve Sinclair
DIVE DETAILS
Scuba:
Open Water
Snorkelling:
Too deep for snorkelling & freediving
Access:
Boat only (40 minutes)
Depth:
15 – 18 metres (50-60’)
Visibility:
5 – 15 metres (15-50’)
Water temperature:
12 – 22°C (54-72°F)
Seasonal:
No, but October to May best
OTHER GREAT DIVES WHILE IN THE AREA
Ex-HMAS Hobart, Aldinga Drop-off, Glenelg Dredge, Sea Wolf, Stanvac Barges and 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
ADELAIDE SCUBA
3 Cygnet Court
Glenelg North SA 5045
+61 (8) 8294 7744
diving@adelaidescuba.com.au
www.adelaidescuba.com.au
DIVE TRAVEL SERVICES
LOCATION
State or Territory:
South Australia
Nearest City:
Adelaide
HOW TO GET THERE
Air:
Nearest International Airport:
Adelaide
Nearest Domestic/Regional Airport:
Adelaide
