The Sepia 1898

The Sepia is the wreck of a sailing ship, lost at the turn of the century near Carnac Island. The wreck is now well broken up but the site is still recognizable as a wreck with items clearly visible such as the large admiralty pattern anchor, standing upright, embedded into the limestone reef. Maximum Depth 15 metres.

Sepia. Iron barque, 715 tons. Built Hartlepool, England, 1864. Lbd 177.3 x 29.4 x 18 ft. Out of London , sank within minutes of striking Challenger rock, two kilometres south-west of Carnac Island, twelve nautical miles from Fremantle, 29 December 1898. Four members of the crew lashed themselves to the masts which were standing well above sea level, while the remainder rowed to Fremantle for assistance.
Portion of her hull, anchors and numerous artefacts remain in fifteen metres, two kilometres off Carnac Island.

A 715-ton iron barque that sank in 15 metres of water off the south west of Carnac Island after hitting Challenger Rock in 1898. The cargo of 1,200 tons of mixed goods valued at £20,000, considered a huge sum at that time, was lost but all hands escaped to safety.

WA Divers

VOC Historical Society Inc

Research by students from Rockingham Senior High School

Rockingham Senior High School