Meet the site
The Ly-ee-Moon was built in 1859 by the Thames Shipbuilding Company in London as a fast, luxurious paddle steamer for the opium trade, 282 feet long and 27 feet wide. She reached 17 knots on trials, the fastest speed yet achieved by a British-built vessel. She worked in Chinese waters for Jardine, Matheson and Company, was bought by the Japanese Shogunate in 1864 and renamed Taihei Maru, and was later sunk after being rammed in Hong Kong Harbour, refloated, re-engined and converted to a screw steamer. The Australasian Steam Navigation Company bought her around 1877–78; she caught fire during a refit at Pyrmont, was scuttled to put out the fire, raised and repaired, and then ran on the Sydney–Melbourne route.
On the night of 30 May 1886, sailing from Melbourne to Sydney in clear, calm weather, she ran at full speed into the rocks at the base of the recently built Green Cape lighthouse. Of the 86 on board, 71 died; only 15 survived (Wikipedia; NPWS gives 76 victims). It remains one of the worst shipwrecks on the NSW coast, and victims are buried in a small cemetery near the lighthouse.
The wreck broke up quickly and lies in two sections as scattered ironwork. McFadyen describes metal fragments and plating jammed at the base of the bommie wall, two bollards, copper piping and bent pipes at 12–14 m, and further north along the eastern wall at 7–9 m an anchor that appears to be from the Ly-ee-Moon and part of the steam engine's cylinders. Beside them are a diesel engine and a small stainless propeller from a much later fishing boat. More plating, girders, boiler sections and rigging fittings lie on the rock platform above. There is not a lot of structure, but the history and setting make it a memorable dive.
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 Ly-ee-Moon 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 SS Ly-ee-Moon 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 Ly-ee-Moon 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
Kelp, blue groper, luderick, drummer, sweep, wrasse, leatherjackets, sponges, sea squirts
Location
Scattered ironwork of an 1859 paddle steamer (later screw steamer) that ran onto the rocks below Green Cape lighthouse on 30 May 1886 with the loss of 71 lives; wreckage between a bombora and the eastern reef at 5–14 m.
Facilities nearby
None at the site; Green Cape lighthouse precinct (NPWS accommodation, toilets) onshore; nearest ramps Wonboyn Lake or 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.infoen.wikipedia.orgmarinelife.org.aunationalparks.nsw.gov.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.