Meet the site
The Betsey Island graveyard, west of Little Betsey Island at the mouth of the Derwent, is Hobart's ships' graveyard: from the 1930s to the 1980s obsolete vessels, barges and sections of the old floating bridge were towed here and scuttled in about 20-34 m. The Marine Life Network guide calls it a huge concentration of wreck dives very close to Hobart, with a pebble-and-mud bottom that stirs up easily, poor visibility after bad weather or decaying Storm Bay swell, and massive yellow and white jewel anemones and, at times, hordes of school fish on the wrecks. The Swiftness was built in Scotland in 1920 and scuttled at Betsey Island in 1979. The guide gives her as 147 tons and 98.4 ft (30 m) long. She lies about 100 m south-west of the Macquarie in about 20 m. The hull is heavily broken, but parts of the bow and stern remain intact, and her most unusual feature is her steam engine, which the guide notes came from a former mainland mine plant rather than being purpose-built for the ship. The engine block and associated machinery stand up from the wreckage and are a focus for photographers when visibility allows. Jewel anemones, sponges and sea squirts cover the steel, and fish shelter in the broken hull. Because she is close to the Macquarie and the barges, experienced divers can visit her as part of a multi-wreck dive using a compass bearing – but only in reasonable visibility, as the bottom is featureless between wrecks and silt clouds easily. Otherwise, shot her directly. The Swiftness is a good example of the practical, make-do engineering of Tasmania's small coastal and harbour vessels in the twentieth century.
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 Swiftness (Betsey Island) is recorded as Wreck in Hobart & Derwent. The listed access is boat (day trip). 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.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
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 Swiftness (Betsey Island) suitable for my certification?
The record lists Advanced 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 Swiftness (Betsey Island) 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
Jewel anemones, sponges, sea squirts, small schooling fish, leatherjackets, crabs
Location
Heavily broken 1920 Scottish-built vessel Swiftness, scuttled in 1979, about 100 m south-west of the Macquarie in about 20 m, with partial bow and stern and an unusual steam engine.
Facilities nearby
South Arm and Lauderdale boat ramps; fills in Hobart.
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.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.