Meet the site
The TSS John Penn was an iron screw steamer built in London in 1867, about 140 feet (43 m) long and 199 tons, capable of 10 knots. According to the South Coast History Society, she left Tathra for Sydney on 7 November 1879 with mixed cargo and passengers. In dense fog the captain kept up speed on what he believed was a safe offshore course, and just before 2 am on 8 November she drove onto rocks at the foot of Burrewarra Head in flat seas. She was refloated at high tide but foundered and sank in about 12 m of water while under tow towards Broulee Bay. No one was lost. A Marine Board inquiry found the captain negligent for not slowing down or using the sounding lead in fog and suspended his certificate for three months.
The Marine Life Network lists the wreck as a 10 m shore dive near Burrewarra Point, describing it as a big, very old wreck, 42 m long, now in mud. (It gives the loss year as 1870, but the historical record says 1879.) Little of the ship is likely to stand proud of the bottom; expect scattered iron plates, frames, perhaps the boiler or engine parts, partly buried in mud and silt.
This is a site for wreck enthusiasts who enjoy searching for history rather than a scenic dive. Visibility is often poor. As a wreck more than 75 years old, it is protected under the Underwater Cultural Heritage Act 2018, so nothing may be disturbed or removed. Position data is not published and should be obtained from the heritage database before a 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.
TSS John Penn is recorded as Wreck in Batemans Bay. The listed access is shore or boat. Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
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 TSS John Penn 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 TSS John Penn 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
Flathead, stingrays, octopus, small reef fish around exposed wreckage, sea squirts and sponges on metal
Location
Remains of an 1867 iron screw steamer that struck Burrewarra Head in fog in 1879 and sank under tow towards Broulee Bay in about 10–12 m; now largely in mud.
Facilities nearby
Tomakin boat ramp; shops at Tomakin and Broulee.
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
southcoasthistory.org.aumarinelife.org.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.