Athena (2994)
Between Herald Bay and Albany Gull Rock
Athena was built by Middle Dock Company with one deck, a round stern, a billet head and no galleries. The first owner in Australia was Henry Simpson of Adelaide who registered it at that port in 1872 (No. 10/1872). In 1884 it was again registered at Adelaide (No. 10/1884), this time by Simpson Bros & Partners; the brothers being J.L. and W.A. Simpson. McIllwraith McEacharn & Co. Ltd bought the Athena in 1896, and after registering it at Adelaide (No. 12/1896) converted it to a hulk. In 1898 it was taken to Albany for use as a coal hulk.
THE LOSS
After stripping the hulk of all useful items the Athena was towed to a position between Ledge and Herald points, east of Gull Rock, and there set on fire.
SITE LOCATION
The wreck thought to be that of the Athena lies in the western corner of a small bay a little over a kilometre north-west of Herald Point.
SITE DESCRIPTION
The wreck of the Athena lies in 2 m of water in the surf zone at roughly 90º and 30 m out from the base of the cliff. The site consists of substantial timber remains including the stem, breast hook and windlass barrel together with a number of metal knees and fastenings. There is also a mound of chain and two hawse pipes. The planking is about 28 by 9 cm, the frames 31 by 27 cm, and the wood appears to be in good condition. The fastenings are of both metal and wood (treenails).
EXCAVATION AND ARTEFACTS
During fieldwork carried out by Maritime Archaeology Graduate Diploma students in 1990 samples of timber from the wreck were taken and analysed, and proved to be from American elm, Ulmus Americana. An analysis of a treenail from the wreck showed it to be made from black locust, Robinia pseudoacacia.
Ship Built
Owner McIllwraith and McEacharn Co, Adelaide
Master n/a
Builder Middle Dock Co
Country Built UK
Port Built Newcastle on Tyne, South Shields, Northumberland
Port Registered Port Adelaide
When Built 1868
Ship Lost
Grouped Region South-Coast
Sinking Vessel was no longer fit for use, because partly destroyed by fire.
When Lost 2994
Where Lost Between Herald Bay and Albany Gull Rock
Latitude -35.026165
Longitude 118.016159
Position Information GPS position suspect
Ship Details
Engine N
Length 39.93
Beam 8.08
TONA 426.00
TONB 410.34
Draft 5.09
Museum Reference
Official Number 56081
Unique Number 753
Sunk Code Burnt
File Number 2009/0072/SG _MA-13/80
Chart Number 1034, 2619
Protected Protected Federal
Found Y
Inspected Y
Date Inspected 1974/12/07
Confidential NO