Joanna (1856-1857)

A small Victorian built sailing ship used to transport lime within Port Phillip Bay. The Joanna is a very significant wreck - it is the best preserved and the earliest known example of a Victorian built sailing ship located in Australian waters. The Joanna is situated one and a half kilometres from shore on the western bank of the west channel, betwenn Swan Island and St Leonards. The wreck lies on sand in 2-7 metres of water and stands between 1 and 3 metres above the seabed. The Joanna's cargo of bagged lime, which has now turned to cement, can still be seen. Divers visiting the wreck often find stingrays living between the lime bags. The weight of the lime has pinned down the hull and preserved it under the sand along with ship fittings and crew's possessions. On the south side of the site remains of the ship's rigging, the anchor chain and rope can be seen. The Maritime Archaeology Unit has placed a plinth on the site. The site of the Joanna is very exposed to weather from the north and south and should only be dived on slack water. Launch from St Leonards boat ramp, head south down Coles channel to No:5 beacon. Head south-east across West sand to the 6 metres hole west of No:12 pile. Beware of shallow water on top of west sand bank. A yellow marker pile is on the site. This is a 100 metre radius protected zone, access is by pewrmit only. Anchoring is prohibited.