Meet the site
The Meigs was the biggest ship in Darwin Harbour on 19 February 1942 and remains the largest and most rewarding of the raid wrecks. Built in 1921 by the Los Angeles Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company at San Pedro, California, she was a 131 m, 12,568-ton US Army transport with a straight stem, counter stern, two decks and three masts. She had come to Darwin with a convoy carrying troops and supplies intended for the relief of Portuguese Timor. During the raid she was hit by numerous bombs, machine-gunned and finally struck by aerial torpedoes; remarkably only one or two of her 66 crew were killed. After the raid her masts could still be seen above the water. The 19 February 1942 raids - two waves of Japanese carrier and land-based aircraft, the first and heaviest attack ever made on mainland Australia - sank eight ships in the harbour and killed more than 230 people. In 1959-60 the Japanese firm Fujita Salvage cut most of the wrecks down to or below the waterline for scrap, so what divers find today is usually the lower hull, machinery that was too heavy to lift, and the cargo that the salvors were not permitted to remove. Fujita cut the Meigs off at the waterline around 1960 but was not allowed to take the American-owned cargo, and that is what makes the dive. The wreck lies roughly north-south in about 18 m and is a vast jumble of steel on a silty bottom. A Bren gun carrier is recognisable in the bow, military trucks lie mostly buried in the holds, lengths of railway iron cross the midships section and piles of rifle ammunition lie in dumps. Gorgonian fans and sponges cover parts of the structure. Local divers reckon it takes about three dives to see it properly, and it rewards repeat visits as the sand shifts and exposes different cargo. Its moderate depth makes it the best introduction to Darwin's WWII wreck diving for divers who can cope with low visibility, and Darwin Dive Centre notes that Open Water certification is adequate for most of the harbour wrecks when conditions are good.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
USAT Meigs is recorded as Wreck in Darwin Harbour. 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.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- 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 USAT Meigs 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 USAT Meigs 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
Estuary cod, golden snapper, black jewfish, barracuda, angelfish, batfish, trevally, lionfish, sea snakes, gorgonian fans and sponges
Location
Southern part of Darwin Harbour's main anchorage, about 3 km from the Darwin wharf and roughly 1 km from the Mauna Loa.
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
dsac.com.aumarinelife.org.auen.wikipedia.orgabc.net.aunt.gov.auwikiaustralia.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.