Meet the site
West of Stragglers Rocks, in 19 m on the Five Fathom Bank, lies a second bucket dredge. Divingwawrecks lists it as unidentified, discovered in the 1990s and probably the Fremantle Dredge, which was bought to be stripped and sold for scrap. Only its fittings and boiler were removed before it was scuttled here, in the hope that the reefs around Stragglers Rocks and the Mewstones would stop wreckage drifting into Gage Roads. The Marine Life Network identifies it as the bucket dredge Fremantle, built in 1894 and scuttled in 1936.
The wreck sits upright on clean sand, extending about 50 m with the bow facing south-west. The bow is still fairly intact and structure stands up to midships, though some sections have collapsed. Divingwawrecks calls it a great clean dive site, and visibility is often 10–15 m because of its distance from the coast.
Delicate sponges and corals cover much of the ironwork. Schools of bullseyes and old wives shelter inside the frames, and there are buffalo bream, wrasse, western rock lobster and the occasional wobbegong. Dhufish and samson fish sometimes visit.
At 19 m this is a deeper dive than most in the Fremantle area, so it suits Advanced divers or Open Water divers with experience and a guide. It is exposed and needs calm weather, but it is one of the better intact wrecks between Fremantle and Rottnest.
Because two dredges lie in the Stragglers area, check GPS positions carefully: this one is deeper and further west. A surface marker buoy is useful, as boats heading to Rottnest pass close by.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Stragglers Unidentified Dredge is recorded as Wreck in Perth. 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.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
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 Stragglers Unidentified Dredge 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 Stragglers Unidentified Dredge 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
Sponges, soft corals, bullseyes, old wives, buffalo bream, wrasse, western rock lobster, wobbegongs, occasional dhufish and samson fish
Location
Upright iron bucket dredge in 19 m on sand west of Stragglers Rocks, believed to be the Fremantle Harbour dredge Fremantle, scuttled in 1936.
Facilities nearby
Woodman Point, Leeuwin and Fremantle boat ramps.
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
divingwawrecks.commarinelife.org.audivingwawrecks.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
