This was my first solo dive in almost forty years, although at this depth I could have been snorkelling, apart of wanting to maintain a particular angle whilst filming.
By this dive I feel I have a better appreciation of the various behaviours shown by the Cuttlefish, and I think that this helped me to get some footage that I was really happy with. The water clarity had also improved slightly, which also helped with filming.
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.dpuf
Divers: Peter Batchelor
Weather/Sea: N/W - 5 kts.
Visibility: 7 - 10 Metres.
Water temperature: 14°C.
Maximum depth: 4 metres.
Time of entry: 1:50pm
Duration: 40 minutes.