Meet the site
The Chaudiere is the closest of the Hamelin Bay wrecks to the boat ramp and, according to divingwawrecks' South West overview, probably the more impressive of the two wooden barques. She was a 470-ton wooden barque, 41 m long with an 8.9 m beam, built at Sunderland in 1863. Marinelife.org.au records that she arrived on 23 May 1883 to load sleepers. On the night of 3 July the wind shifted north and strengthened, and she dragged her anchors toward the shore; despite more cable being let out the next morning, she ran aground and was lost on 4 July as the weather worsened.
The site covers about 30 by 10 m, with substantial hull remains: planking and frames, iron fastenings amidships, stacked timber sleepers from her cargo, and scattered copper fittings and sheathing. She lies on sand with her bow toward shore in 5-6 m. Like the Agincourt, she is a vivid example of the timber trade that brought ships to this exposed bay.
The Chaudiere is an easy shore or boat dive for Open Water divers and snorkellers, best on flat days when visibility reaches 10 m. It is often combined with the Agincourt, 260 m to the north, in one dive or snorkel.
Hamelin Bay was a timber port from the 1880s, when a jetty built in 1882 and extended in 1898 served M. C. Davies' milling operations. It was notorious for wrecks in bad weather because it is exposed to the north-west gales of winter storms; the 22 July 1900 storm alone wrecked several ships, and only the old jetty piles remain today. The bay is now a recreation zone in the Ngari Capes Marine Park, and every wreck in it older than 75 years is protected.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Chaudiere Wreck is recorded as Wreck in Margaret River & Augusta. 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 Chaudiere 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 Chaudiere 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
Small reef fish among timbers, western king wrasse, old wife, stingrays on sand, weed
Location
Wooden barque lost in 1883 while loading timber, lying in 5-6 m on sand about 650 m north of the Hamelin jetty - the closest wreck to the boat ramp.
Facilities nearby
Hamelin Bay boat ramp, holiday park and kiosk.
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.comcapetocapetours.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
