Meet the site
Florence D was a 2,642-ton steamship built as Lake Farmingdale in Superior, Wisconsin, and launched on 30 April 1919 – one of the many 'Laker' freighters built for the US Shipping Board after World War I. By early 1942 she was a Philippine-registered freighter under US Army charter, part of the desperate effort to run supplies and ammunition through the Japanese blockade to the Philippines.
On 19 February 1942, the day of the first Japanese air raids on Darwin, she was attacked by Japanese carrier aircraft off Bathurst Island. She had picked up survivors of a US Navy Catalina shot down earlier in the day. A bomb hit her forward cargo hold, which held hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition; the bow exploded and she sank almost immediately. Three of her crew – Francisco Beltran, Librado Briones and Mariano Reyes – were killed, as was Catalina crewman Joseph Clifton Shuler. The Don Isidro, another blockade runner, was attacked and lost off Bathurst Island in the same raid.
The wreck was located in December 2008 by Wayne Keeping and publicly identified in 2009. It lies in about 16 m on a sand bottom: the stern is intact and lying on its starboard side, while the forward part of the ship is a confused debris field from the explosion. Coral, sponges and fish have colonised the structure.
Florence D is one of three declared protected zones in the NT (with the submarine I-124 and the Sanyo Maru). A closed-water order applies and entry requires permission from the NT Heritage Branch. It is a war grave in spirit and a heritage site of international significance to Australia, the United States and the Philippines. Recreational divers should regard it as closed; it is listed here for its historical importance and to make the access rules clear.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Florence D is recorded as Wreck in Tiwi 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.
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 Florence D suitable for my certification?
The record lists Wreck specialty recommended. 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 Florence D 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
Reef fish, cod, snapper, trevally, sponges and soft corals (limited published observations)
Location
WWII freighter wreck off the west coast of Bathurst Island near Rocky Point and Caution Point, north-west of Darwin, in a declared protected zone.
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
ozatwar.comnt.gov.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.