Ardrossan Barge, Yorke Peninsula

The Ardrossan Barge measured 140 ft/42.6 m in length, 26 ft/7.9 m width, 13.5 ft/4.1 m depth and had a capacity of 450 cubic yards. The steel barge had 9 watertight compartments and 6 sets of hopper doors, which were originally opened by hand but later converted to hydraulic operation.

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The barge had been used to dump spoil from dredging operations in Port Adelaide and most major out-ports, but became surplus to requirements after the commissioning of two self-propelled barges in 1978. On April 11th, 1984 the motorized barge Denis O’Malley towed No. 5 dumb hopper barge to a site one nautical mile south of the Zanoni shipwreck.

The spot is recommended only for advanced scuba-divers who should also keep an eye out for great white sharks, which are common visitors when the snapper run is at its peak.