Shipwrecks
At least 800 ships are known to have foundered in Victorian waters, the earliest in 1835. They include an enormous variety of vessels, from international and coastal sailing ships, to transatlantic and local steamers constructed of wood, iron and steel. However, fewer than 200 wrecks have actually been found, most since the rise of scuba diving in the 1960s and 1970s.
Investigating and protecting the wrecks and relics offers a fascinating insight into not only our seafaring past, but the lives of everyday people who travelled by sea, and those who depended on sea transport for supplies and communication.
All Australian shipwrecks over 75 years old are protected by State and Commonwealth historic shipwreck laws. Some younger wrecks may also be especially declared to be historic eg; World War II wrecks.
Protecting our historic shipwrecks information leaflet.