Meet the site
The Plutus was a 76 m, 812-ton iron steamship with schooner rigging, built in England specifically for the Australian coal trade. She could carry up to 1,700 tons of coal and had four very large hatches designed for rapid loading and discharge. Barely seven months after her launch, on 9 December 1882, she left Newcastle in fine conditions but ran into thick, hazy weather. At 8.20 pm the second officer saw land dead ahead; the captain, believing it to be fog, reversed engines at full speed too late, and the ship drove firmly onto the sand of Long Beach at Currarong – about ten miles off her intended course.
All twenty crew reached shore safely by morning, but the ship's back broke just forward of the bridge and she became a total loss. A marine inquiry found the master guilty of careless navigation and suspended his certificate for six months. Today the remains lie in about 3 m of water and, according to the Currarong Community Association, are accessible directly off the beach.
This is a snorkel or very shallow scuba site rather than a structured wreck dive. The iron remains are broken, partly buried and move with the sand, so what is visible changes from year to year. Small reef fish shelter among the frames. Its value is historical: it is one of the nine known shipwrecks in and around the Jervis Bay Marine Park and a tangible link to the colliers that worked this coast in the nineteenth century. It suits families and snorkellers on flat days and makes an interesting stop for divers visiting the TSS Merimbula nearby.
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 Plutus is recorded as Wreck in Shoalhaven Coast. The listed access is shore. 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 Plutus suitable for my certification?
The record lists Snorkel/Any. 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 Plutus 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
Small reef fish, bream, luderick, weed and encrusting growth on iron remains
Location
Remains of an iron coal steamer wrecked on Long Beach, Currarong, in 1882; lies in about 3 m and is accessible off the beach.
Facilities nearby
Beach access and parking in Currarong; toilets and store in the village.
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
currarong.org.ausouthcoasthistory.org.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.