City of Perth

Shipwrecks

3 July

Written By Greg Flowers

MAYFIELD 3d Model April 2025 G Flowers www.shipwrecks.com.au
https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/mayfieldmay2025flowers-f10817d081574111a141c25fad7cb629

Description

Timber barge (1899)- double ended. 1934 conversion to propeller driven.

Owner

Swan Brewery Co. Sold in 1934 Tilley

Construction

Timber hull and frames 2 engines fitted 1934 15 Hp Union Engine 10 Hp bow engine

Built

Circa 1899 registered to be towed

Size

Length 22m beam 5m

Sunk

1945

Location

15 metres from Western shore line cliffs at Rocky Bay, North Fremantle in 4.4 metres of water. Lies north south parallel with shore Bow pointing 300° north

Latitude & Longitude

degrees & decimal minutes

S 32°01.767

E 115°45.444

History

Carting associated with the Swan Brewery and later during WW2 taking munitions to Rottnest Island.

Rediscovered

Mike Pollard MAAWA August 1979.

Sinking

Details to be researched.

Underwater

Prominent features are the two upright engines one with drive gear and propeller attached and the bow engine used for operating a jib for cargo movement. Some internal planking visible. Quantity of debris across the site. Parallel to and approx. 10 meters from the City of Perth wreck.

The dive getting there

Wreck features

Located on the western side of the Swan River adjacent to the limestone cliff/bank.

Access via boat from the Leeuwin boat ramp a distance of approximately 480 meters, (paid parking) or via swimming upriver approximately 200 meters from the Harvey Beach jetty adjacent to the water police headquarters. Boat access to the Harvey beach jetty is restricted. Beware of boat traffic and tidal movements.

The 2 upright engines with some deck planking, post wrecking rubbish such as rubber tyres. Stern engine with attached driveshaft through the hull to the propeller still in place.

Adjacent to the Wreck of the city of perth

Observations based on April 2025 Dive

Site Changes

In C Cockram’s 1990 drawing no propeller is shown. In April 2025 about ½ of propeller is exposed and a greater amount of longitudinal deck planking exposed port bow near the bow upright engine area.

Resources

Swan & Canning River Wrecks by Colin Scrimshaw MAAWA 1981 p5

Western Australian Museum Shipwreck data bases Mayfield

Links

References

https://shipwreckswa.com/mayfield-1899-1945/

https://museum.wa.gov.au/maritime-archaeology-db/wrecks/id-1367/

Historical pictures of wrecking