A Victorian maritime mystery dating back almost 150 years has finally been solved, thanks partly to site investigations for Iberdrola Australia’s proposed Aurora Green offshore wind farm.
Technical divers from Southern Ocean Exploration (SOE) have confirmed the identity and final resting place of the City of Hobart, an iron steamer which sank off the Gippsland coast on 24 July 1877.
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Geophysical surveys in early 2025 detected two shipwrecks in and around our proposed Aurora Green Offshore Wind Project site, located 25km+ off the coast of Gippsland.
Iberdrola Australia worked with Commonwealth and Victorian heritage teams to determine the identity of the ships. Information provided to authorities by Iberdrola Australia helped the technical divers confirm one of the shipwrecks was the City of Hobart.
The other shipwreck has been confirmed as the previously identified SS Vicky. In a somewhat ironic twist, the City of Hobart sank while carrying over 600 tonnes of coal from Newcastle to Melbourne, several decades before the establishment of Gippsland’s own coal industry.
Iberdrola Australia is now developing the Aurora Green Offshore Wind Project as the region shifts away from coal generation and towards clean energy.
Iberdrola Australia senior manager stakeholder engagement Renee Kurowski said, “We are pleased that initial investigations for the Aurora Green project were able to contribute to verifying the identity of two important pieces of Australia’s and Victoria’s maritime history.
“Finds like this aren’t just fascinating, they’re important cultural records and protecting them ensures these pieces of our history are documented for future generations.
“This exciting find will help build a clearer picture of Australia’s maritime history. We appreciate the expertise and collaboration of SOE and the Commonwealth and Victorian heritage teams, in providing us with valuable insights into the two shipwrecks.
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“As we progress through the development of Aurora Green, we remain committed to working with heritage authorities to ensure significant sites are respected and protected.”
The shipwreck sites are protected by the Commonwealth Underwater Cultural Heritage Act 2018, which prohibits interference or damage to shipwrecks without approval.
