Sydney Project returns to the Iron Knight

sven · 20th June 2006, 13:55

The Sydney Project returned to what we believe is the wreck of the iron ore bulk carrier Iron Knight, formally owned by BHP Steel. The ship was torpedoed and sunk in 1943 by the same japanese submarine, that sent an airplane to Sydney for aerial reconnaissance in preparation of the Midget submarine attack on Sydney Harbour. Of the 50 crew, only 14 were rescued. The wreck is located approx 8miles east of Bermagui (NSW). Local fisherman have provided us withe the information on the location.

Last weekend's expedition was an attempt to positively identify the wreck. Although no names plates etc were found, the evidence suggests that the wreck is indeed the Iron Knight:

position of the bridge
single prop
stern gun
size of the wreck

The wreck lies upright in 130m of water. The bridge area is covered in fishing nets. The bow has collapsed, the stern is still intact.

In picture perfect conditions (vis 40+m!!!) Samir Alhafith got some stunning video footage of the wreck. Paul Garske scootered along the entire wreck. Another achievement: Dave Apperley dived his homebuild sidemount rebreather (manual CCR) and the unit performed flawlessly.

I am soooooo jealous, because I can't dive 130m yet. I guess this is another incentive for me to dive & practise in order to get to experience on the Inspiration and hopefully see this wreck myself at some time in the future ...

For pictures (and very soon a story), please check out the Sydney Project website under http://www.sydneyproject.com/image_g...ery.asp?gid=27

The Sydney Project have now discovered 5 wrecks in the past 3 years on the New South Wales coast (Australia):
- Bega (75msw)
- William Dawes (135msw)
- Cumberland (97msw)
- Wear (120msw, not 100% identified as of yet)
- Iron Knight (125msw)

***caveseeker7*** · 20th June 2006, 14:58

Way to go, team, congratulations!

***schford*** · 21st June 2006, 10:15

Great job - thanks for sharing!

Stuart

Richard Harris · 21st June 2006, 13:27

Love the shots of the gun Samir. Well done you guys, Bermagui serving up some decent weather at last!

20th June 2006, 13:55	#1 (permalink)
sven Blogs Admin / Forum Mod Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Evolution Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sydney Posts: 551	Sydney Project returns to the Iron Knight The Sydney Project returned to what we believe is the wreck of the iron ore bulk carrier Iron Knight, formally owned by BHP Steel. The ship was torpedoed and sunk in 1943 by the same japanese submarine, that sent an airplane to Sydney for aerial reconnaissance in preparation of the Midget submarine attack on Sydney Harbour. Of the 50 crew, only 14 were rescued. The wreck is located approx 8miles east of Bermagui (NSW). Local fisherman have provided us withe the information on the location. Last weekend's expedition was an attempt to positively identify the wreck. Although no names plates etc were found, the evidence suggests that the wreck is indeed the Iron Knight: position of the bridge single prop stern gun size of the wreck The wreck lies upright in 130m of water. The bridge area is covered in fishing nets. The bow has collapsed, the stern is still intact. In picture perfect conditions (vis 40+m!!!) Samir Alhafith got some stunning video footage of the wreck. Paul Garske scootered along the entire wreck. Another achievement: Dave Apperley dived his homebuild sidemount rebreather (manual CCR) and the unit performed flawlessly. I am soooooo jealous, because I can't dive 130m yet. I guess this is another incentive for me to dive & practise in order to get to experience on the Inspiration and hopefully see this wreck myself at some time in the future ... For pictures (and very soon a story), please check out the Sydney Project website under http://www.sydneyproject.com/image_g...ery.asp?gid=27 The Sydney Project have now discovered 5 wrecks in the past 3 years on the New South Wales coast (Australia): - Bega (75msw) - William Dawes (135msw) - Cumberland (97msw) - Wear (120msw, not 100% identified as of yet) - Iron Knight (125msw) __________________ Regards, Sven The Sydney Project website: http://www.sydneyproject.com My Blog: http://sven.rebreatherworld.com "Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it's time to pause and reflect." Mark Twain Last edited by sven : 20th June 2006 at 13:58.
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20th June 2006, 14:58	#2 (permalink)
*caveseeker7* Who loves ya, baby Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Too far from Neverland Posts: 5,554	Re: Sydney Project returns to the Iron Knight Way to go, team, congratulations! __________________ Cheers Stefan "Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.!"
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21st June 2006, 10:15	#3 (permalink)
*schford* RBW Founder Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: UK Posts: 3,564	Re: Sydney Project returns to the Iron Knight Great job - thanks for sharing! Stuart __________________ Bailout and Kit Management account for Murphy's Law The only bad question is one you did not ask and later wish you had. Use of RBW is subject to the Rebreather World Terms & Conditions of Use
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21st June 2006, 13:27	#4 (permalink)
Richard Harris EXPLORER Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss MK 15.X Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 133	Re: Sydney Project returns to the Iron Knight Love the shots of the gun Samir. Well done you guys, Bermagui serving up some decent weather at last! __________________ "Harry" www.divedoc.net
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