Meet the site
The Carlisle Castle wreck marks one of the worst maritime disasters off Fremantle. The 1,344-ton, 70 m steel three-masted barque, launched in 1868, was bound from Glasgow to Fremantle with general cargo when a severe gale struck on the night of 11 June 1899. Unable to fix her position without sun or stars, she was driven onto Coventry Reef off Safety Bay and broke up. All 25 crew died, and only one body was recovered, near Warnbro Sound. The same storm wrecked the City of York at Rottnest.
The wreckage lies on a slope descending from about 6 m to 12 m. The eastern section is heavily overgrown with kelp, while the western parts are more exposed, with iron plates and frames forming little caves in the reef. Scattered among them are the remains of the cargo, including bottles, household items and building bricks. The site is protected under the Historic Shipwrecks Act, and nothing may be removed.
Fish life is good on the surrounding reef, with buffalo bream, wrasse, sweep, bullseyes and morwong, and crayfish in the gaps under the plates.
The reef is exposed, the approach crosses Five Fathom Bank and waves nearly always break over the site, so opportunities to dive it are limited to a few very calm days a year. Visibility on those days is often good, 10–15 m. It suits experienced boat divers with a sound understanding of swell and a well-equipped boat, and it rewards those interested in WA's shipwreck history. The WA Museum's shipwreck database holds further detail on the loss and the inquiry that followed.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Carlisle Castle Wreck is recorded as Wreck in Perth. The listed access is 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.
- 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 Carlisle Castle Wreck 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 Carlisle Castle Wreck 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
Buffalo bream, wrasse, sweep, bullseyes, morwong, western rock lobster, kelp, sponges
Location
Shattered iron remains of the barque Carlisle Castle, lost with all hands in 1899, lying on a slope on Coventry Reef off Safety Bay in 6–12 m.
Facilities nearby
Point Peron, Bent Street and Port Kennedy boat ramps.
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
divingwawrecks.commarinelife.org.audivingwawrecks.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
