OMEO 1858 -1905

Omeo painting by C Dickson Gregory (State Library of Victoria)

Description:

Iron Barque-Rigged Steamer

Owner:

Howard Smith and Sons, Melbourne Engine removed and converted to a 4 masted Jackass-Barque. Intercolonial and International trader

Construction:

Clinker built iron

Sunk:

1905

Size:

789 tons gross length 64.9m beam 9.3m depth 5.1m

Underwater:

site consists of above water sections and Underwater, some sections remain intact and offer interesting snorkel viewing. Note: the wreck is in shallow water

Built:

1858 by A Leslie and Co., Newcastle-on-Tyne

Location:

Coogee Beach, south of Marina

Sinking:

Parted cables driven ashore in storm

Longitude:

115.761533

Latitude:

-32.1055667

Gallery

Sailing out to Australia on her maiden voyage, departed Plymouth on March 24, 1859 carrying, in addition to general cargo, materials and equipment for laying the Bass Strait submarine cable to link Tasmania with the mainland. Photo: Omeo at Port Melbourne c1888-1906 (State Library of Victoria)

On one of her trips from Newcastle to Melbourne with a cargo of coal on 13thSeptember 1881 when entering the the west channel she collided with the Swan Spit Lighthouse. So great was the tide that she drifted right across the channel and completely wrecked the wooden lighthouse. Engraving: Omeo colliding with Swan Spit Lighthouse 1881 (State Library of Victoria)

After completing the laying of the Tasmanian telegraph cable she joined the trading route to New Zealand the original purpose of her construction. Owing to her suitability for the trade she continued periodical trips to the north, and was able to navigate the Roper River 100 miles from its mouth in February 1872. Photo: Omeo at Roper River 1872 (Allan C Green)

The West Australian of 12th September 1905 reported the last and final stranding of the OMEO. The boisterous weather raged at Fremantle throughout yesterday, the wind was blowing from W.N.W. was estimated to have attained a velocity of 60 miles. At about 5pm the hulk OMEO which was abandoned about half a mile from shore parted her moorings and drifted onto the beach. Photo: Omeo soon after grounding, Coogee Beach c1906 (Mrs M Herbert)

Easy access via walkway over groyne makes this easy access for snorkelling

The Omeo now has a snorkel trail in safe calm water, making it the most popular shipwreck in WA

Location

Videos

Underwater 3D mapping by members of MAAWA