Meet the site
The Olive Cam was built in 1920 as the steam trawler SS Nodzu by Cook, Welton and Gemmell of Beverley, England: 128.5 feet long, 23.5 feet wide and 281 gross tons, with a coal-fired triple-expansion engine. In 1929 she was bought by Cam and Sons, the Sydney fishing company founded by Italian-born Carlo Caminiti, and later renamed Olive Cam after one of his children. During the Second World War she was requisitioned as the auxiliary minesweeper HMAS Olive Cam (FY76), nicknamed 'Little Ol', served off Western Australia and took part in the search for survivors of HMAS Sydney in 1941. She returned to trawling in 1946.
On 2 November 1954, fishing between Eden and Green Cape under Captain William Glackin, she was caught in a howling south-westerly. Trying to reach Eden close to shore, she struck a bommie just south of Mowarry Point and lost her propeller. As the crew tried to get ashore along a line, huge waves swept away Captain Glackin and two others; they died. The survivors walked towards Eden and reached the Edrom guest house.
Today the Olive Cam lies in less than 9 m, with many pieces in only 3 m, in three gullies south of a small point. In the southern gully are a length of drive shaft, copper pipe, brass fittings, the remains of the rudder and one and a half cylinders of the engine, and the boiler standing on end like a huge rock almost to the surface, with a winch beyond. The middle gully holds a great deal of wreckage up to 3 m, and outside it lies a Lt Rodgers anchor. McFadyen says a keen wreck diver could spend well over an hour here.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Olive Cam is recorded as Wreck in Eden & Green Cape. 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 Olive Cam 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 Olive Cam 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
Blue groper, luderick, leatherjackets, sweep, wrasse, kelp, sponges
Location
Remains of a steam trawler and former WWII auxiliary minesweeper wrecked in 1954 just south of Mowarry Point, south of Eden; boiler, engine parts and anchor in gullies at 3–9 m.
Facilities nearby
Quarantine Bay ramp and Snug Cove, Eden.
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
michaelmcfadyenscuba.infomarinelife.org.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.