Sydney Project divers passion for exploration and going where no one been before inspires the group to find new wrecks and bring them back to life. The following database is for wrecks we have found, dived, or currently searching for. Once rust is in your blood, there is just something about diving wrecks that is hard to describe. The chance of a new discovery, the history and circumstances behind the loss of a vessel and in some cases the tragic loss of life. Visiting a ship for the first time since it went down, is a special feeling and a rare privilege that will always drive us to find new wrecks.

To read more about the wrecks listed below, click on their name.
 

BEGA - Steamer Screw
Encounter Ex-H.M.A.S - Steamer screw
Iron Knight - Iron oar carrier
Keilawarra - Steamer Screw
Koputai - Steamer paddle
Nemesis - Steamer screw
SS Cumberland - Merchant
SS Wear - Steamer screw
William Dawes - Liberty
"William Dawes"

Tathra, NSW - Liberty
Max Depth: 140 Mtrs Average Depth: 130 Mtrs
Average Viz: 40 Mtrs Lives Lost: 5
Construction: Steel Sank In: 1942

The William Dawes was steel "Liberty" ship (Official Number 89056) built and registered in Portland, Oregon, USA. The two-decked vessel had a tonnage of 7176 tons gross, a cruiser stern and length of 416 feet (126.8 metres). A triple expansion engine powered it.  William Dawes was on wartime convoy duty operating along the New South Wales south coast when it was struck by torpedo by a Japanese I-class submarine I-11.  The terrifying incident occured at 5.30 am on 22 July 1942, near Tathra Head.  This followed the sinking of the vessel George S. Livanos near Jervis Bay (20 July 1942) and Coast Farmer nearby (21 July). William Dawes caught fire and took sometime to sink with the survivors making shore at Merimbula. Five lives were lost in the action. The next day (23 July), the steamer Allara was torpedoed near Newcastle but recovered.

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