Ozone(paddle steamer)
 Ozonepassing Pile Light, Port Phillip (Unknown c.1910).
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | Ozone |
| Operator | Bay Excursion Company |
| Builder | Napier, Shanks & Bell,Glasgow |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Paddle Steamer |
| Tonnage | 572 |
| Length | 260 ft (79 m) |
| Beam | 28 ft (8.5 m) |
| Height | 10.6 ft (3.2 m) |
| Speed | 17 knots |
TheOzonewas a ship built in 1886 nearGlasgow,inScotland.It could exceed 17 kts and is regarded as one of the finestpaddle steamersever built[citation needed].
Ozonewas commissioned by the Bay Excursion Company and relocated toAustralia,where it became a great favorite onPort PhillipBay, inVictoria,and remained in service there for many years.
History[edit]
TheOzone'sfirst bay excursion was on 18 December 1886, when she commenced a run betweenMelbourneandQueenscliff.On arrival she collided with the pier at Queenscliff.
In 1889, theOzonewas involved in a collision with the vesselElfin,inHobsons Bay,nearWilliamstown.
In 1894, she was involved in another collision, this time with the vesselMay,in Port Phillip Bay.
TheOzonewas withdrawn from service in 1918 and was sold to Melbourne shipbreaker J. Hill in March 1925. In October 1925 she was dismantled and herhullwas sunk off-shore atIndented Headto form abreakwaterfor small craft.[1]
The wreck is gradually eroding away. In April 1991, the starboard paddle wheel collapsed, dramatically changing the configuration of the remains. One ofOzone'stwo anchors has been incorporated into an historical monument, which stands on the cliff-top near Taylor Reserve, Indented Head, overlooking the wreck.[2]
Dive location[edit]
The wreckage of theOzoneremains visible about 50 metres offshore at Indented Head. The wreck is an easy shallow dive.
References[edit]
- ^"Ozone Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) Number S511".Victorian Heritage Database.Heritage Victoria.
- ^Charlesworth, Peter."Ozone 1886–1925".Maritime Archaeology Association of Victoria.Retrieved23 January2015.
Further reading[edit]
External links[edit]
- "Ozone Dive Site".The Scuba Doctor.
