This time I took a short journey to Homebush Bay here in Sydney to check out the old ship wrecks.
Here is a brief history of the bay, stolen from Afloat.com.au. (It’s worth checking out this page before continuing as they have historical shots of the bay and its wrecks.)
In 1966, approval for a ship-breaking yard was granted by the Maritime Services Board to several private companies. These companies paid a monthly fee. Vessels were moored in the bay, ready for breaking-up ashore. In 1970, the MSB constructed a ramp for this purpose.
Those vessels known to be brokenup from 1970 were Kookaburra, Branston and Samson by Goldfield Metal Traders, Kara Kara by Marrickville Metals and two barges by Nicholson Bros Harbour Transport Pty Ltd.
Another ship, Meggol, was broken up in the bay but the hull removed and scuttled off Long Reef as part of the artificial reef created there from 1976 onwards.
There are at least four ships’ hulls and the remains of several barges and smaller vessels visible in Homebush Bay. These will be protected under the historic Shipwrecks Act, 1976 which applies to all shipwrecks over seventyfi ve years old. Relics over fifty years old and located in lakes and/or rivers, are protected under the provisions of the NSW Heritage Act, 1977.
Now that is done, here are the shots.
This plaque is built into the footpath on the way to a tiny peninusla into the bay which holds tree visible wrecks.
Some other wrecks are not so visible.
The area around is very accessible. There is even a ramp built right up to one of them.
Next to this wreck are two barges that have been run aground. They are made out of wood and are decaying rapidly. They used to be used for transportation of bricks from the local factory. And you can really tell.
Bricks everywhere!
Below is the most famous wreck of the bay and the one that I saw on imgur that clued me in on its existence. It litterally sits only a few metres off shore next to a massive block of flats. Lucky bastards.
Now this is the wreck that I couldn’t get to because its in the water offshore and there are no access points. I had to wade into the mangroves to get these shots. It’s a large wreck as you can see, and I really want to come back in a boat to check it out.
These wrecks are located in Sydney in the area used for the Olympic games. So access is great, and its worth checking these out. If you are into riding, this area is FULL of people on bikes and there are tonnes of bike tracks. So take your pushy.