Shipwreck Databases Western Australian Museum

Cheynes III (28663)

Michaelmas Is. King George Sound

Whale Chaser Purchase June 1963.
Least depth 10m measured RAN Hydrographic HMAS Moresby 1990

Ship Built

Owner Cheynes Beach Whaling Co P/L, Albany

Builder Smith Dock Co. Ltd. Middlesborough

Country Built UK

Port Built Teesbank, Middlesborough

When Built 1947

Ship Lost

Grouped Region South-Coast

Sinking To form an artificial reef

When Lost 28663

Where Lost Michaelmas Is. King George Sound

Latitude -35.044117

Longitude 118.0275

Position Information GPS 2005

Minimum Depth of site 23.00

Ship Details

Engine Triple Exp (removed) 1800 hp

Length 47.90

Beam 8.30

TONA 441.00

TONB 152.00

Draft 4.80

Museum Reference

Official Number 196927

Unique Number 822

Sunk Code Scuttled

File Number 2009/0091/SG _MA-637/81

Protected Not protected Federal

Found Y

Inspected Y

Confidential NO

Sources

The 440 ton steam whale chaser Cheynes III was built by the Smiths Dock and Engine Company of Teeseburgh, Middlesbrough. It was originally named the Thorgrim and operated by a Norwegian based whaling company. Between 1962-63 it was owned by Whale Products Co. of Queensland and named Looma III. In 1963 it was bought by the Cheynes Beach Whaling Co, renamed Cheynes III and was engaged in whaling operations in Albany until the company ceased operations in 1978. With the support of the Museum, Albany diving identity Les Bail arranged for the SS Cheynes III to be scuttled in 1982 to create a recreational diving site. After the triple expansion steam engine was removed by a team led by John Bell of Whale world assisted by the MAAWA and Museum staff, it was taken to the western end of Michaelmas Island and sunk. The wreck has since broken into two parts in 30 metres of water, and is one of Albany’s premier dive sites. The main engine is at Whale world and the Steering engine was donated to the Museum by Mr Bell in recognition of its role in the project. It is on display at the Maritime Museum Fremantle.