Reliance Paddle Steamer

Picture of the Black Swan 1853-1880 similar in appearance and construction to the Reliance .

The paddle steamer Reliance was built in 1865 on the banks of the Yarra River and traded cargo between Port Phillip and Western Port before striking a rock and sinking off Woody Island.
Weather permitting searches are regulary taken to find this elusive wreck . Due to the basalt rock in the area a magnotometer is of no use so we must rely on side scan sonar. Prevalent strong Sth Westerly winds can make this an extremely dangerous location as sea conditions in Bass Strait can change in a very short space of time .

UPDATE A recent search in June 2026 has produced some interesting targets to dive . It is planned to send divers for a bottom search .Depths vary on the different marks from 35m-55m.

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