Zanoni
The Zanoni, located 10 nautical miles off the coast of Ardrossan, is one of the best-preserved sailing shipwrecks in Australia and one of the most complete 19th century shipwrecks in South Australia.
The 338 ton, three masted sailing vessel Zanoni was on a voyage from Port Wakefield to London with a cargo of wheat and bark. While it sank in 1865 in a freak storm, it was not discovered until 1983, when a fisher took two divers to investigate a likely spot. The shipwreck site is located in 18 metres of water, 15 kilometres south east of Ardrossan. This discovery has since lead to the site being surveyed by archaeologists and a number of artefacts being recovered, some of which can be found in the Ardrossan National Trust Museum.
The Zanoni is a popular wreck for divers to explore. A permit is needed from the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources to visit the site. In 1984, a barge was sunk, one nautical mile south of the Zanoni to act as an alternative place to fish.
We try and dive once a month weather permitting
For more information on the Zanoni visit the Ardrossan Museum – open Sundays and Public Holidays from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.