Meet the site
The Wandra was a wooden coastal cargo steamer built by Denis Sullivan at Coopernook on the Manning River. Her keel was laid in September 1906 and she was launched on 1 June 1907, built from local timbers – an ironbark keel with blackbutt and flooded gum planking. She was 36 m long with an 8 m beam, 164 tons, powered by twin compound engines and a single boiler for about nine knots, and carried a crew of twelve.
On 15 December 1915, carrying timber from Moruya Heads, she was about a mile off Crocodile Head when seas came over the bow and her hull timbers began to open up under the pressure. With pumps unable to cope and the ship listing to port, Captain Reuben Lucey steered for The Drum and Drumsticks, anchored and got the crew into the boat; the Wandra sank as he stepped into it. No one was lost.
The wreck lies on sand at 26 m beside the reef. Nearest the reef is the large boiler with the twin engines beside it, the smaller cylinder facing south towards the bow. The propeller shafts extend north with small propellers, and a small winch and a circular fitting lie ahead of them. To the south are another winch, a bollard, kelp-covered fittings and anchor chain that is sometimes exposed, with hull ribs protruding through the sand. Timber pieces and hardwood sleepers from her cargo are scattered around. Shifting sand hides and reveals features from season to season, and a ship's telegraph recovered by a local diver has since been buried. Compact but full of detail, the Wandra is usually dived in calm seas with good visibility, and the adjacent seal colony makes this a memorable double.
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 Wandra is recorded as Wreck in Jervis Bay. 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.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
- 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 TSS Wandra 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 TSS Wandra 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
Australian fur seals (nearby colony), blue groper, wobbegongs, Port Jackson sharks, leatherjackets, yellowtail, blue dragon nudibranchs, kelp
Location
Wooden coastal steamer lying in 26 m on sand beside the reef at The Drum and Drumsticks, north of the Jervis Bay entrance; boiler, twin engines, shafts and propellers.
Facilities nearby
Departure from Huskisson (dive shop, cafés, parking) or Currarong ramp.
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.infoblog.padi.comcurrarong.org.audeep6divingjervisbay.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.