Divers:   Puspendu & Youri
Surface Crew: Justin, PT, Dazza, Ian & Mark

The Reliance was a small paddle steamer, lost in 1869 when previous to leaving Cowes on Phillip Island, she had struck a rock and damaged her hull. A small amount of water found its way into her bilge. However, it was thought that the vessel’s pumps would be able to cope. Leaving Cowes on a voyage from Western Port to Melbourne, she began taking on water a great rate. The pumps were unable to keep the water down, and when about 3-miles southeast of Cape Schanck; made for shore. At a distance of approximately 2-miles southeast of Cape Schanck, foundered in 17 fathoms  of water. After several days of on water searching we decided we would put a team of divers in the water, the size of this little vessel makes picking her up on a depth sounder or side scan unit very difficult. The current was still strong as the divers entered the water in attempt to do a sweep search unfortunately no trace of the paddle steamer was found.

Mark