Meet the site
The Blencathra, an iron barque of about 930 tons, was bound from Glasgow to Sydney with general merchandise, mostly whisky, when she was wrecked in January 1875. The Marine Life Network guide records that she mistook the Cape Wickham light for Victoria's Cape Otway and struck near the site of the Currie lighthouse, 50 m from shore. Salvors recovered much of the cargo.
The guide rates the wreck 6 out of 10: heavily broken up over an area of about 80 x 20 m in 4-5 m, with sections of steel plate and mast, the capstan, steering gear and ballast bricks recognisable, and pottery, china and clay pipes common among the rubble. Another summary notes that no recognisable ship structure remains on the shallow rocky seabed. Local divers shore-dive it, but visitors need directions.
King Island has more recorded shipwrecks than anywhere else in Australia - King Island Tourism puts the figure at over sixty - because ships running for Bass Strait on the 'clipper route' from Europe had to thread the gap between the island and Cape Otway, often in fog and gales with uncertain navigation. Most wrecks lie in shallow water on exposed reefs and have been broken up by more than a century of westerly swell, so diving them is about history and scattered remains rather than intact hulls.
All wrecks over 75 years old are protected under Commonwealth and Tasmanian heritage law: look but do not touch, and report any new finds to the Parks and Wildlife Service maritime archaeologist. With no chamber on the island, a diving injury means aeromedical evacuation to Melbourne or Hobart, so dive conservatively and carry oxygen.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Blencathra (Currie) is recorded as Wreck in King Island. The listed access is shore or boat. Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
Topics flagged by the stored research
These are questions prompted by the existing notes, not a verified or complete hazard assessment.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- Water movement
- Ask how swell and local exposure affect the proposed entry, exit and route.
Historical access notes exist for this record, but have not been independently verified for current use. Request current directions from the operator or site manager rather than following an old entry description.
Questions, answered
Is Blencathra (Currie) suitable for my certification?
The record lists Open Water. That does not establish suitability for every route or day. Share your training, recent experience and equipment needs with the operator and ask about the specific proposed dive.
Can I book Blencathra (Currie) through YouDive?
YouDive is an independent research directory. Contact an operator directly to confirm whether it currently runs the trip, the inclusions and the booking terms.
What you might see
Wrasse, leatherjackets, magpie perch, weed
Location
Heavily broken iron barque Blencathra (1875) on the reef about 50 m offshore near the Currie lighthouse, spread over an 80 x 20 m area in 4-5 m.
Facilities nearby
Currie: supermarket, cafes, fuel, accommodation, King Island Historical Museum (lighthouse keeper's cottage), hospital (no chamber). Grassy: harbour and boat ramp. No confirmed public air-fill station - arrange locally.
Before you make plans
Conditions, access and operator schedules can change. This is a location guide, not a dive plan. Ask a local operator about current conditions and suitability for your training and experience.
Sources & further reading
marinelife.org.auoceans1.customer.netspace.net.aukingisland.org.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.