Meet the site
South of Direction Island, in 3.8 m on a clean white-sand bottom, lies the backbone of an old wooden ship. The WA Museum's inspection report records six rows of concreted iron keel and keelson bolts running for 40 m across hard sand, the central pair rising about 30 cm and the flanking pairs about 10 cm, with traces of floor timbers, thin planking and buried frames. The length of the bolt run suggests a vessel of about 40 m between perpendiculars. For many years divers took the structure to be the remains of an old jetty. Timber analysis found white oak and southern yellow pine, pointing to a North American-built ship, and the report names the American ship Gudden Barstow of New Bedford, wrecked at Cocos in 1839, as a prime candidate. Documentary records mention American whalers being dismantled at this anchorage, and the Clunies-Ross family salvaged almost everything of value from the wreck in the 19th century, leaving only the keel and keelson assembly, which was too robust to break up. The site is stable and well protected by the eastern reef from the trades, although cyclones may periodically expose and rebury parts of it. As a dive it is modest – a line of concreted bolts on sand, with little structure for fish – but it is a rare, tangible trace of the whaling-era history of Cocos, which predates the Clunies-Ross settlement's copra industry and the cable station. The shallow, clear water makes it an easy snorkel for visitors with a boat, and it is interesting to combine with the Phaeton and the Catalina for a heritage tour of Port Refuge. The site is protected underwater cultural heritage.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Direction Island Unidentified Wreck is recorded as Wreck in Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The listed access is boat (day trip). 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.
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 Direction Island Unidentified Wreck suitable for my certification?
The record lists Snorkel/Any. 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 Direction Island Unidentified 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
Sand-dwelling fish, gobies, stingrays, juvenile reef fish
Location
Keel and keelson remains of an unidentified 19th-century wooden ship in 3.8 m on sand, about 0.5 nautical mile south of Direction Island (WA Museum position 12°05.924'S, 96°52.815'E).
Facilities nearby
Departs West Island; no shops or fuel on the outer islands – Cocos Dive supplies lunch on day trips.
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
museum.wa.gov.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
