WILLIAM PITT
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| Type of dive: |
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Scuttled wreck |
| Snorkelling: |
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Great wreck snorkelling! |
| Scuba: |
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Open Water |
| Access: |
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Shore |
| Depth: |
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Up to 4 metres (12’) |
| Visibility: |
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5 – 15 metres (15-50’) |
| Water temperature: |
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12 – 18°C (54-64°F) |
| Seasonal: |
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No, can visit anytime |
Great snorkelling in a tranquil location!
Canoe Bay is one of two smaller bays in Fortescue Bay near Port Arthur on the Tasman Peninsula. It is part of the stunning Tasman National Park.
Just a few metres from shore lies the remains of the SS William Pitt, a former floating pontoon barge.
Up until the early 1970’s, Canoe Bay was an anchorage for commercial fishing vessels, including rock lobster boats.
In 1953, in an effort to provide a safe haven to protect fishing vessels from swell, the William Pitt was scuttled as a breakwater at the request of the Minister for Agriculture and Sea Fisheries.
The former steam-driven hopper barge was used in the 1940’s in the construction of the predecessor of the Tasman Bridge, a floating pontoon bridge.
The William Pitt was launched in Bristol in 1904 and arrived in Australia as the Andre Reboucas in 1907. She was owned by the Melbourne Harbour Trust prior to working in Tasmania.
The vessel was around 50 metres (164’) long with a beam of 8.2 metres (27’) and her draft was 3.3 metres (10.7). She now rests on her keel in around four metres (12’).
The wreck is a fantastic snorkelling spot.
Her bow is above water and the stern is partially submerged, the ships propeller can be found at the stern underwater.
Inside the wreck there are beautiful anemones, and the fish life around the wreck includes trumpeter, rock cod, banded morwong, southern hulafish and the odd conger eel.
Care must be taken to avoid sharp metal, and sometimes the swell can present problems with surge.
Entering the wreck underwater while snorkelling is very dangerous because there may be no direct access to the surface!
Special thanks to the Eaglehawk Dive Centre Team.
Copyright © 2024 Steve Sinclair
Local dive services:
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EAGLEHAWK DIVE CENTRE |
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GO DIVE TASMANIA |
Other services:
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Need somewhere to eat, drink or stay? |
Need help getting there?
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BLAST EXPERIENCES |
Water temperatures:
OTHER INFORMATION
LOCATION
State or Territory:
Tasmania
Nearest City:
Hobart
Nearest Regional City:
Not applicable
Nearest Town:
Eaglehawk Neck
HOW TO GET THERE
Air:
Nearest International Airport:
Melbourne
Nearest Domestic/Regional Airport:
Hobart/Launceston
Road:
Hobart to Waterfall Bay:
Just over 1 hour (76 km/47 mi) via Tasman Highway (A3) and Arthur Highway (A9)
Launceston to Waterfall Bay:
Just under 3 hours (235 km/145 mi) via National Highway 1/A3/A9
Bus:
From Hobart or Launceston
Train:
Not available
Ferry:
Melbourne to Devonport (Spirit of Tasmania)
THINGS TO DO
Tasman Arch
Tasman Blowhole
Devil’s Kitchen
Waterfall Bay
Whale Watching
Port Arthur Convict Settlement