Meet the site
The Netherby, a 944-ton Black Ball Line ship carrying 456 emigrants from London to Brisbane, went off course heading east through Bass Strait and struck the shore about 3 km south of Currie on 14 July 1866. Remarkably, nobody died in the wreck: King Island Tourism notes that all aboard survived, and two children were born after the wreck while the survivors were camped on the island, although three men later died during salvage.
The Marine Life Network guide rates the site 6 out of 10: heavily broken up in shallow water about 70 m offshore at 4-5 m, with a few artefacts, hull timbers and ironwork visible. It compares it with the Blencathra but with fewer artefacts, and warns that it is very exposed to the prevailing westerly swells.
King Island has more recorded shipwrecks than anywhere else in Australia - King Island Tourism puts the figure at over sixty - because ships running for Bass Strait on the 'clipper route' from Europe had to thread the gap between the island and Cape Otway, often in fog and gales with uncertain navigation. Most wrecks lie in shallow water on exposed reefs and have been broken up by more than a century of westerly swell, so diving them is about history and scattered remains rather than intact hulls.
All wrecks over 75 years old are protected under Commonwealth and Tasmanian heritage law: look but do not touch, and report any new finds to the Parks and Wildlife Service maritime archaeologist. With no chamber on the island, a diving injury means aeromedical evacuation to Melbourne or Hobart, so dive conservatively and carry oxygen.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Netherby is recorded as Wreck in King Island. 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 Netherby 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 Netherby 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
Bull kelp, west coast reef fish, crayfish
Location
Remains of the Black Ball Line emigrant ship Netherby (1866), about 70 m offshore off Netherby Point, 3 km south of Currie.
Facilities nearby
Currie: supermarket, cafes, fuel, accommodation, King Island Historical Museum (lighthouse keeper's cottage), hospital (no chamber). Grassy: harbour and boat ramp. No confirmed public air-fill station - arrange locally.
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
marinelife.org.aukingisland.org.auoceans1.customer.netspace.net.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.