Please select your home edition
Edition
Pantaenius 2022 - SAIL & POWER 1 LEADERBOARD ROW

Wreck of the Pretty Jane found on beach

by Press Release on 14 Feb 2009
She was an old Otago steamer SW
A shipwreck missing off Victoria’s Ninety Mile Beach for 127 years has re-appeared at Loch Sport, with remnants of its frames and boiler now visible to beachgoers.

Heritage Victoria archaeologists believe the wreck is the Scottish-built, iron steamer Pretty Jane, which sunk in 1882 following a collision with the Magnolia.


There had been no reported sightings of the wreck since its demise, until Parks Victoria rangers reported the visible remnants on the Gippsland beach last month.

Victorian Planning Minister Justin Madden said the location, dimensions and construction of the remnants all pointed to the reappearance of the ill-fated coastal trader Pretty Jane.

“The Pretty Jane was travelling from Bairnsdale to Melbourne when it collided with the Magnolia and struck the sand bar at Lakes Entrance,” Mr Madden said.
“It continued to Melbourne for repairs but began to sink just off the Ninety Mile Beach. All on board were saved but the Pretty Jane broke up and was never seen again. The natural sand movement of the beach has revealed this missing link in our maritime heritage.”


As it is below the high water mark, the Pretty Jane is officially in Commonwealth waters and therefore protected by the Australian Government’s Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976.

Federal Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts Peter Garrett welcomed the incredible discovery.
“This is a great example of the Australian and Victorian Governments working together to ensure the Pretty Jane wreck is appropriately recorded and protected,” Mr Garrett said.

“It is vital we preserve Australia’s historic shipwrecks and their artefacts, as they are often the only windows to understanding important aspects of our vast maritime heritage.
“The Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 will give legal protection to the shipwreck and its relics from damage, disturbance or removal. Provisions under the Act will ensure the protection of the wreck, its relics and any human remains.”
Mr Madden said there were about 700 historic shipwrecks in Victorian waters and only about 30 per cent of those have been found and surveyed.

“Having the Pretty Jane revealed makes it more vulnerable in many respects, which is why historic shipwrecks are protected. Heritage Victoria relies on cooperation from the community to respect the wreck and report any possible interference,” Mr Madden said.

“Although this is a wonderful opportunity for Victorians to see maritime heritage up close, beachgoers should remember that it is an offence to damage historic shipwrecks, and that includes removing items from the wreck.”
Penalties include up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment for individuals and $50,000 for a body corporate.

The 34m-long Pretty Jane was built in 1870 in Rutherglen, Scotland for the New Zealand Meat Preserving Company. In 1879, it was registered in Sydney and sold to the Australasian Steam Navigation Company.

The cargo ship Magnolia survived the 1882 collision with the Pretty Jane but in 1887 disappeared without trace between Wilsons Promontory and Lakes Entrance, taking the lives of four crew.

Lloyd Stevenson - Catalyst GT 1456x180px BOTTOMCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERBarton Marine Pipe Glands

Related Articles

4 Ultim rocketships to contest Rolex Fastnet Race
The giant 32m long by 23m wide flying trimarans are taking part in the 100th anniversary edition While the 50ft flying catamarans competing at SailGP Portsmouth this weekend will be impressive, charging out of the opposite western end of the Solent will be giant 32m long by 23m wide flying Ultim trimarans taking part in the 100th anniversary edition.
Posted on 18 Jul
SailGP comes to Portsmouth!
We speak to the sailors ahead of the weekend The Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix | Portsmouth takes place this weekend, with the 12 teams competing in F50 catamarans close to the waterfront, where a massive grandstand has been built for the spectators.
Posted on 18 Jul
SailGP: No practice racing at Portsmouth
The Practice Race was a fizzer, however the future of the SailGP fleet development was revealed. The scheduled Practice Day failed to fire at SailGP Portsmouth, after the forecast, admittedly light, breeze failed to male an appearance. The self propelled start marks were making a much better speed than the F50s.
Posted on 18 Jul
McIntyre Mini Globe Race Leg 3 Preview
The race to South Africa starts from Vuda Marina Fiji on 26th July In a world-first sailing challenge, 15 solo sailors from eight countries are navigating identical 5.8-meter (19-foot) self-built plywood yachts around the globe— The fleet has enjoyed a five week stopover in Fiji at the end of Leg 2.
Posted on 18 Jul
Third time Finn World No.1 for Alessandro Marega
Maintaining the top spot in the Finn World Ranking List Italy's Alessandro Marega maintains the top spot in the Finn World Ranking List for the third consecutive release. He remains World No. 1 with an 80-point lead over France's Laurent Hay.
Posted on 18 Jul
World Sailing Nations Cup to make grand return
After a seven-year hiatus, World Sailing has officially opened the bid process for host cities After a seven-year hiatus, the World Sailing Nations Cup, the ultimate event to crown the world's top match-racing nations, is making its much-anticipated return.
Posted on 18 Jul
Oman Kite Festival kicks off from Barr Al Hikman
With the official opening ceremony and race launch The Oman Kite Festival 2025 launched on the 15th of July on the scenic shores of Barr Al Hikman in South Al Sharqiyah Governorate, welcoming more than 90 athletes from Oman and around the world.
Posted on 18 Jul
2025 WASZP Pre-Games in Weymouth Day 2
A classic British summer's day as sailors launched beneath a blanket of grey cloud and drizzle The second day of the WASZP Pre-Games served up a classic British summer's day as sailors launched beneath a blanket of grey cloud and with a hug of fresh drizzle.
Posted on 18 Jul
Moth take a big step forward at Garda Worlds
The just concluded Int Moth Worlds at Lake Garda, Italy were technically much more complex than NZ The just concluded Int Moth Worlds at Lake Garda, Italy were technically much more complex than the 2024 World Championship, held just six months ago in New Zealand.
Posted on 17 Jul
Dates set for 2026 Congressional Cup & Ficker Cup
2026 will mark the 61st edition of the iconic Congressional Cup event The LBYC and World Match Racing Tour today announced the dates for the 2026 Long Beach Yacht Club Congressional Cup and Ficker Cup, both official stages of the World Match Racing Tour, the longest running global professional sailing series.
Posted on 17 Jul