Lots of large Leatherjackets and a variety of other fish, including Magpie Perch. Lots of Mosaic Leatherjackets, Yellowfin Leatherjackets, Horseshoe Leatherjackets, Goatfish, King George Whiting, Blue Throated Wrasse, juvenile Moonlighters, and Red Bait Crabs. We also saw a good-sized school of Trevally off to the side of the pier.
It always amazes me how much there is to see under this pier! The exit ladder on the platform two-thirds along the pier has been repaired, making it much easier to get out of the water now.
About 9 pm, incoming SS Penola ( 500 tons) struck and ran down City of Launceston which began to settle almost immediately. Passengers and crew transferred with difficulty to Penola. Sunken vessel valued at about 17,000 pounds - not insured. Sold by auction to Barrett, engineer of City of Launceston, who sold to a syndicate but salvage attempts eventually abandoned. Victorian Steam Navigation Board Inquiry held City of Launceston to blame for accident. Two separate Supreme Court actions by the respective owners for damages found in favour of the plaintiff in each case! An appeal by the aggrieved owner of the Penola for a non suit or a new trial was ultimately refused. Eleutheria, lighter, exhibited light at wreck site until it too sank. City of Launceston was the first shipwreck to be declared an Historic Shipwreck under new Victorian legislation. Built for the Melbourne to Launceston Bass Strait run, it was a regular trader across Bass Strait. - See more at:
http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/shipwrecks/124#sthash.aPC0R645.dpufAbout 9 pm, incoming SS Penola ( 500 tons) struck and ran down City of Launceston which began to settle almost immediately. Passengers and crew transferred with difficulty to Penola. Sunken vessel valued at about 17,000 pounds - not insured. Sold by auction to Barrett, engineer of City of Launceston, who sold to a syndicate but salvage attempts eventually abandoned. Victorian Steam Navigation Board Inquiry held City of Launceston to blame for accident. Two separate Supreme Court actions by the respective owners for damages found in favour of the plaintiff in each case! An appeal by the aggrieved owner of the Penola for a non suit or a new trial was ultimately refused. Eleutheria, lighter, exhibited light at wreck site until it too sank. City of Launceston was the first shipwreck to be declared an Historic Shipwreck under new Victorian legislation. Built for the Melbourne to Launceston Bass Strait run, it was a regular trader across Bass Strait. - See more at:
http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/shipwrecks/124#sthash.aPC0R645.dpufDivers: Peter Batchelor, Kirsty Batchelor, William Batchelor (with Finn McBurney snorkling above)
Weather/Sea: 10 Kts, Southerly.
Visibility: 5 metres.
Water temperature: 21°C.
Maximum depth: 4.9 metres.
Time of entry: 17:45.
Duration: 35 minutes.
