Meet the site
The SS Davenport is a wartime wreck with a dramatic end. Grey Nurse Charters records that she was a US munitions carrier built in Oregon in 1912 - a 911-ton, 61 m timber steamer. On 10 October 1943 she caught fire in Newcastle Harbour, and because of the risk posed by her cargo she was towed out of the harbour, finally sinking in about 12 m in front of Stockton Surf Club. The fire shaped what divers see today. Grey Nurse Charters describes pipework and machinery bent and fused together by the heat, an unusual and striking sight. The timber structure below the waterline, which was protected from the fire, has survived and leaves many holes and hiding places for marine life. The combination of twisted metal and old timber framing makes an interesting, photogenic shallow wreck. The gaps in the lower hull shelter fish and invertebrates: bream, luderick, leatherjackets, yellowtail and small reef fish, with moray eels and octopus in the cavities and rays on the sand around the wreck. Encrusting growth covers the metal. At 12 m, the Davenport is an accessible wreck for Open Water divers and a good shallow dive to pair with the Yarra Yarra or the reefs off Nobbys. Visibility is the main limitation, since the wreck sits close to the harbour entrance where the Hunter River plume is strongest; timing the dive for high tide after dry weather makes a big difference. Its wartime story and fire-fused machinery make it one of Newcastle's more memorable shallow wrecks.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
SS Davenport wreck (Stockton) is recorded as Wreck in Newcastle & Lake Macquarie. 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 SS Davenport wreck (Stockton) 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 SS Davenport wreck (Stockton) 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
Bream, luderick, leatherjackets, yellowtail, moray eels, octopus, rays, encrusting invertebrates
Location
A 61 m US timber munitions steamer that caught fire in Newcastle Harbour in 1943 and was towed out, now lying in about 12 m in front of Stockton Surf Club.
Facilities nearby
Departs Newcastle Harbour ramps: parking, toilets.
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
greynurse.com.augreynurse.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.