Iberdrola Australia solves 150-year-old mystery

Sometimes the future helps us rediscover the past.

During geophysical surveys for the proposed Aurora Green Offshore Wind Project, developers recently helped uncover the long-lost wreck of the City of Hobart off the coast of Gippsland.

The City of Hobart was built expressly for the Tasmanian trade route in 1853.

The iron steamship sank in July 1877 while travelling from Newcastle to Melbourne carrying more than 600 tonnes of coal. Although the crew safely abandoned the vessel, the ship itself disappeared beneath the waves, and its final resting place remained unknown for nearly 150 years.

That mystery has now been solved.

Survey work carried out by Iberdrola Australia detected two shipwrecks on the seabed more than 25 kilometres offshore. Working alongside heritage authorities, technical divers from Southern Ocean Exploration were able to confirm the identity of one wreck as the City of Hobart, while the second was identified as the SS Vicky.

Survey image of the seabed, showing the wreckage of the City of Hobart

For the divers involved, it was an extraordinary moment. Being among the first people to see the wreck since it sank in the 19th century is the kind of discovery most maritime explorers only dream of.

Beyond the excitement, the find also highlights the importance of careful surveying and collaboration during major infrastructure and energy projects. Investigations carried out for new developments can often reveal unexpected pieces of history, helping build a clearer picture of Australia’s maritime past.

Once fully operational, the Aurora Green Offshore Wind Project will generate up to 3 gigawatts of electricity, enough to power around 2.25 million homes while supporting thousands of jobs during construction and operation.

For Iberdrola Australia, the discovery is a reminder that progress and preservation can go hand in hand. The wreck site is protected under the Underwater Cultural Heritage Act 2018, ensuring it remains undisturbed and documented for future generations.

It’s not every day a renewable energy survey helps solve a 150-year-old maritime mystery. But sometimes, looking ahead is exactly what helps us reconnect with the past.