Help protect shipwrecks!In Australia, all shipwrecks and their associated relics that are older than 75 years are protected by law. Shipwrecks are underwater museums that reflect the history of exploration, trade and colonisation and provide important scientific, historical and educational information. When artefacts are removed from a shipwreck, valuable archaeological information is lost forever. Shipwrecks are fragile and once lost, cannot be replaced.

Interfering with or damaging shipwrecks is prohibited. The most common actions that damage or interfere with shipwrecks include:

• divers holding on to fragile structures

• divers uncovering parts of the wreck by digging or ‘hand fanning’

• taking anything from a shipwreck site

• anchoring on a shipwreck

• attaching lines directly to a shipwreck.

into historyQUEENSLAND’S SHIPWRECKS

propeller

sand.5m

Site conditions vary and will affect how much of the wreck and its relics can be seen. If you notice something suspicious or see items not marked on the plan, please contact EHP.

ST PAULSketch map of wreck site(key on reverse)

scale approximate

0 5m

timber planks

windlass

winch

boilers

condenser

propeller

triple expansion engine

chrome ore

tank

part derrick

hatch coaming

hatches

Sketch adapted with permission from a plan drawn by Linton Holroyd, George Didek and Steven Holly

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St Paul (1914) Your safety is your responsibility.

Take only photos, leave only bubbles!

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Just like Moreton Bay is a unique underwater playground for divers, so too is the Great Barrier Reef. Protecting these precious marine areas and their natural and cultural heritage is everyone’s responsibility. Visit www.qld.gov.au to find shipwreck locations on the Queensland coast including the reef, or www.reeffacts.qld.gov.au to read more about how the iconic Great Barrier Reef world heritage area is being protected.

Anyone with information or queries about Queensland’s historic shipwrecks should email archaeology@ehp.qld.gov.au

Department of Environment and Heritage Protection

This shipwreck diver guide was produced by the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP) to increase community awareness and to help protect, manage and interpret Queensland’s unique underwater cultural heritage.

Dive site informationDive rating The St Paul is only suitable for advanced and experienced divers who are certified for diving below 40m.

Location Off Smith Rock, NE of Moreton Island, Queensland

Latitude -27 0.249996

Longitude 153 29.829996

Max depth 42.5m AVG Depth 40m

AVG visibility 25m

Current The site can be affected by currents of up to 2 knots, a bottom surge in heavy seas and an average of 2m swell. The site should only be dived at slack water and in good sea conditions.

Anchoring Avoid damaging the St Paul by anchoring away from the shipwreck and letting the boat hang back over the site. Use a shot line to mark the site if necessary.

propeller

sand.5m

Site conditions vary and will affect how much of the wreck and its relics can be seen. If you notice something suspicious or see items not marked on the plan, please contact EHP.

ST PAULSketch map of wreck site(key on reverse)

scale approximate

0 5m

timber planks

windlass

winch

boilers

condenser

propeller

triple expansion engine

chrome ore

tank

part derrick

hatch coaming

hatches

Sketch adapted with permission from a plan drawn by Linton Holroyd, George Didek and Steven Holly

N

propeller

sand.5m

Site conditions vary and will affect how much of the wreck and its relics can be seen. If you notice something suspicious or see items not marked on the plan, please contact EHP.

ST PAULSketch map of wreck site(key on reverse)

scale approximate

0 5m

timber planks

windlass

winch

boilers

condenser

propeller

triple expansion engine

chrome ore

tank

part derrick

hatch coaming

hatches

Sketch adapted with permission from a plan drawn by Linton Holroyd, George Didek and Steven Holly

N

St Paul map key

Site map of St PaulThe bow of the wreck lies partially buried in a north-west position in Moreton Bay. Site features include the hull, twin boilers, engine, winches, propeller and an anchor.

Site marine life:The St Paul’s underwater superstructure is a habitat which provides food and shelter for a variety of marine life including sponges, corals, pelagic and reef fish, rays, octopus and wobbegong sharks.

St Paul (1914)Vessel type Steel, single screw steamer

Built France 1912

Dimensions Length: 229.9ft Width: 35.8ft Depth: 22.5ft Tonnage: 1633

General informationThe St Paul left port in New Caledonia en route to Brisbane on 23 March 1914 with a cargo of 2800 tons of chrome ore. Arriving off Cape Moreton the captain signalled for a pilot. However, before the pilot reached the vessel, the St Paul struck an unknown rock (now known as Smith Rock) on 27 March 1914 and sank in approximately four minutes. Of the 29 passengers, 18 lives were lost including the captain. The loss of the ship and so many lives was the primary motivator in erecting a flashing light on Smith Rock.

Windlass

Triple expansion engine

Archaeological remains on the St Paul

*Artefacts not to scaleImag

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