The Herschel Wreck (Edith Byrne)

The Herschel, formerly known as the Edith Byrne, is a historic shipwreck located at coordinates -35.0035, 118.1636 in the waters off City Of Albany, Western Australia, Australia. This steel hull vessel, constructed in 1857, was intentionally abandoned in 1908. Although much of the wreck has deteriorated, the bow and stern sections remain visible at approximately 20 meters deep. Access to the site is limited to boat entry, with a small swim access available at the stern area.

Measuring 49.99 meters in length, with a beam of 9.21 meters and a draft of 6.49 meters, the Herschel offers an intriguing underwater exploration opportunity. This dive site is particularly popular among beginner divers, as it boasts a maximum depth of 24 meters and a visibility of 15 meters.

When exploring the Herschel wreck, divers can anticipate encountering a thriving marine ecosystem, with large grouper often being spotted in the vicinity. The mapped point, serving as the southern tip of the ship's bow section, marks the starting point for a captivating dive. From here, divers can swim northward to further explore the site.

For an enriching diving experience in Australia, make sure to include the Herschel shipwreck in your itinerary.