Highland Forest Wreck

Meet the site

The Highland Forest was a 1,040-ton, 74 m steel barque, built in 1884, and has a literary connection: Joseph Conrad served aboard her as first mate in 1887, an episode he later wrote about in The Mirror of the Sea. On 29 April 1901, approaching Fremantle, Captain Chapman stopped taking soundings and failed to check the ship's position. At 5 am she ran onto the Murray Reefs with all sails set and took 14 feet of water in her holds within 15 minutes. All 18 on board survived, including the captain's wife and young child.

The wreck lies in 6–8 m on the first reef chain south of Point Becher, off Port Kennedy. Most of it is heavily covered in kelp. The bow is still recognisable, with the iron sides collapsed outwards, and the wreckage covers roughly 30 m by 15 m. On the far side of a nearby sand hole are impressive caves and swim-throughs in the reef, which add to the dive.

The Murray Reefs are covered in Ecklonia kelp, with sea fans under the overhangs, buffalo bream, wrasse, sweep and western rock lobster in the crevices.

The site is exposed and needs calm conditions, but it is a short run from Port Kennedy. It suits Open Water divers who enjoy both historic wrecks and limestone reef, and anyone interested in Conrad's life at sea. It is protected as a historic shipwreck, so nothing may be removed. Combine it with the Chalmers and the Sisters to the north for a day of historic wreck diving out of Port Kennedy.

What you might see

Buffalo bream, wrasse, sweep, western rock lobster, gorgonian sea fans, Ecklonia kelp, sponges

Location

Remains of the steel barque Highland Forest, wrecked in 1901, on the first reef chain south of Point Becher off Port Kennedy, in 6–8 m.

Facilities nearby

Port Kennedy boat ramp (parking, toilets) and Bent Street ramp, Safety Bay.