SS Cumberland
Merchant vessel, Eden, NSW south Coast Australia- Max Depth: 97 Mtrs
- Average Depth: 95 Mtrs
- Average Viz: 10 Mtrs
- Construction: steel
- Sank In: 1917
- Lives Lost: 0
The SS Cumberland struck a German mine during WW1, and is the first casualty of war in Australian waters. It was beached on Gabo Island for
repairs, before being towed to Eden when it struck heavy seas and sank.
The cargo of copper and lead was recovered in 1951 using Bell technology to lay explosives on the deck and then use a grappel to remove
parts of the decks. Other Cargo was frozen meat and wool. No free-swimming divers ever saw this wreck since.
The wreck is broken up, but over a large area, with artifacts everywhere. Dived for the first time by Sydney Project on 8th Nov 2003, it was confirmed that this was indeed the wreck of the Cumberland, by finding bones, copper ingots and letters on the bow of the wreck.
Cumberland cruiser stern diagram
Credit: Dave Hurst
Cumberland Wreck
Cumberland wreck stern at 97m depth, with Kevin Okeby modelling. Credit: Mark Spencer.
Sandy lights up the Cumberland
Credit: Dave Hurst
Sandy diving the Cumberland
Credit: Dave Hurst
Twisted Metal
Credit: Mark Spencer.
Cumberland Wreck
Aft of midships – Paul Garske and Samir Alhafith
Cumberland Promenade
Credit: Mark Spencer.
Jason diving the Cumberland
Credit: Mark Spencer.
Deck level
Credit: Mark Spencer.
Bow letters
Credit: Mark Spencer.
Craig Challen at fallen cruise stern
Credit: Mark Spencer.
Stern, cargo hold
Credit: Mark Spencer.
Stern, looking aft
Credit: Mark Spencer.
Animal bones
Credit: Mark Spencer.
The locals
Credit: Mark Spencer.
More locals
Credit: Mark Spencer.
The line where the sky meets the sea
Credit: Mark Spencer.
Cumberland-Mark in gear
Credit: Mark Spencer.