Fiji, often referred to as the “Soft Coral Capital of the World,” is a dream destination for divers seeking vibrant marine life and stunning underwater landscapes. Among its many underwater treasures, the Woodburn wreck near Suva stands out as a must-visit dive site. This blog takes you on a journey through the history, highlights, and unique experiences of diving the Woodburn wreck.
This blog on the Woodburn wreck in Fiji continues after this advertisement:
Scuba Diving on the Woodburn Wreck Near Suva, Fiji
My Dive Logbook reads:
Date: 1/8/1977
Place: Woodburn wreck, Fiji
Depth: 80′
Time in water: 40 minutes
Remarks: Visibility 40′. ‘SCUBAHIRE’ Charter boat. Dive buddies – 1 NZ, 1 Fiji, 1 American. Wreck strewn over bottom – steel supports. Large Angel Fish, 1′ Groper & Triggerfish. Nikonos III used for first time. 1 roll colour Kodachrome 64 ASA.
Place: Coral Plateau, Namuka Reef, Fiji
Depth: 45′
Time in water: 45 minutes
Remarks: 2nd dive of day. Large school Wrasse – 2′ long. Large Stonefish 1′. Triggerfish and Reef fish. Much Fire Coral. Camera flooded around viewfinder (front ‘O’ ring) Visibility 50′.
Woodburn History
The Woodburn was a steel sailing vessel, a 3-masted barque cargo ship that was scuttled in 1938 near Suva, Fiji’s bustling capital.
The Woodburn was a steel barque built in 1896 by Russell & Co. in Port Glasgow, the vessel had dimensions of 242 feet in length, 37.5 feet in width, and 21.8 feet in depth.
It had a gross register tonnage (GRT) of 1552, a net register tonnage (NRT) of 1445, and a deadweight tonnage (DWT) of 2600.
In 1896, the ship was launched at the Russell & Co. shipyard in Port Glasgow for Robert Shankland & Co. of Greenock.
In 1906, it was sold to A.E. Blom and partners in Nystad, with Captain F.A. Laurén at the helm.
The vessel changed ownership again in 1919, this time to Gustav Erikson of Mariehamn.
In 1926, it was sold to owners in the Fiji Islands to be used as a coal hulk. The ship ultimately met its end in 1938 when it scuttled off Suva.
Over the decades, the wreck has transformed into an artificial reef, teeming with marine life and covered in a colorful array of corals. This historical shipwreck offers divers a unique blend of history and natural beauty, making it a fascinating underwater exploration.
Preparing for the Dive
Diving the Woodburn wreck is suitable for intermediate to advanced divers due to its depth and occasional strong currents. Before embarking on this underwater adventure, it is essential to ensure you have the appropriate certification and experience. Local dive shops in Suva provide guided dives to the wreck, offering expert knowledge and ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience.
The Descent
As you descend into the crystal-clear waters of Suva’s harbor, the shadowy silhouette of the Woodburn gradually comes into view. The wreck rests at a depth of approximately 25 meters (80 feet), making it an exhilarating dive for those looking to explore the deeper realms of the ocean.
Exploring the Wreck
The Woodburn is a diver’s playground, with its structure largely intact and easily accessible. The ship’s bow, covered in soft corals and sponges, is a sight to behold. Schools of tropical fish, including barracuda, trevally, and snappers, dart in and out of the wreckage, adding to the vibrant underwater scenery.
Marine Life Abundance
The Woodburn wreck has become a thriving artificial reef, attracting a diverse range of marine species. Divers often encounter large groupers, moray eels, and lionfish patrolling the wreck. The ship’s structure is encrusted with colorful corals and sponges, providing a habitat for numerous invertebrates and small reef fish.
Keep an eye out for the elusive and graceful manta rays and reef shark that occasionally glide by, adding an extra element of excitement to the dive. The wreck’s location near the rich waters of Suva ensures a constant influx of nutrients, supporting a flourishing ecosystem around the site.
Safety Considerations
While the Woodburn wreck offers an incredible diving experience, it’s important to prioritize safety. Due to its depth and the potential for strong currents, divers should always follow their guide’s instructions and adhere to safe diving practices. Proper buoyancy control is crucial when navigating the wreck to avoid disturbing the fragile marine life and corals.
Preserving the Underwater Heritage
As with any dive site, responsible diving practices are essential to preserve the Woodburn wreck for future generations. Avoid touching or removing any marine life or artifacts, and be mindful of your buoyancy to prevent accidental damage to the corals and wreck structure. By practicing sustainable diving, we can ensure that this underwater treasure remains a vibrant and thriving habitat.
Woodburn
Diving the Woodburn wreck near Suva, Fiji, is an unforgettable experience that combines history, adventure, and the mesmerizing beauty of the underwater world.
From the moment you descend into the depths and catch your first glimpse of the wreck, to exploring its hidden corners and encountering its abundant marine life, every moment is filled with wonder and excitement.
Whether you’re an experienced wreck diver or a curious adventurer looking to explore Fiji’s underwater heritage, the Woodburn wreck offers a unique and captivating dive that will leave you with memories to cherish for a lifetime.
So gear up, take the plunge, and discover the magic that lies beneath the surface of Suva’s waters.
SCUTTLED
Pacific Islands Monthly, 15 February 1940 Vol. X No.7
Suva Sees the End of a Familiar Barque
THE old “Woodburn,” which was towed to sea and sunk on October 31, had been moored in Suva harbour for 12 years, and used as a coal hulk.
Originally, she was one of Shackland’s ships; a steel barque, built by Russell and Company, Glasgow, for the “Burn” Line. That was about 45 years ago.
Termed by seamen a “bald-header”, like most of Shackland’s vessels, she was the smallest of their fleet. When, eventually, the fleet was sold in 1904, the “Woodburn” went to the Germans, and sailed under their flag for many years. With no published records, or anything outstanding in any of her passages, the “Woodburn” was just a typical, flat-bottomed cargo-carrier.
On the morning that she was towed to sea, a Suva engineering firm, Messrs. Bish Ltd., cut several holes in the ship’s sides, around the water-line, and temporary plates were attached to each one.
More holes were cut higher up, and these were left open.
At 1 p.m. all preparations were complete. The tow-boat was the “Matafele” (B.P.’s new island motor vessel).
Once clear of the harbour, the old barque felt the heave of the sea again, and rose gracefully to the swell. But no yards crossed the fore and main masts, no spanker was hauled out on the mizen, no sails unfurled up aloft, no mate yelled
“Lee fore brace!”. The ship was stripped, from stem to stem, except for the very rusty lighthouse towers and capstan on the forecastle head. On the main deck, the iron frame of the galley and of the half deck (where the apprentices were housed) still remained.
Manning the ship for the burial ceremony were two officers and five Fijians.
Chief Officer J. Hills was on the fore castle-head, keeping an eye on the tow line and watching for signals from the tow-boat. Hulk-master C. Lees was aft, in charge of the steering. One Fijian was at the wheel, and two engineer-boys were ready to unscrew the plates at the water line.
When a mile out at sea, and 15 miles to go, the beam wind freshened, and the large hull of the sailing ship began to toss about. The “Woodburn’s” grave was meant to be near the island of Beqa, clear of submarine cables.
But the fore-derrick guy ropes carried away, and the great boom swung wildly out to leeward, listing the light ship considerably. A few minutes later the after derrick followed suit. The tow-boat plugged away, however. Then, three miles out, the tow-line parted, and the old “Woodburn”, helplessly adrift, began to roll alarmingly. The wind was blowing her onto the reef.
The two engineer-boys hopped down into the hold and had all temporary plates unscrewed in double-quick time. In treble-quick time they climbed the ladders again! No job on shore was ever done with such alacrity. Gushing into the “Woodburn’s” empty hold were great streams of green water. All hands got clear away in their boat.
Cruising, quite close, passengers and crew on the “Matafele” saw the “Woodburn” gradually fill and drift onto the reef, where she settled down on an even keel.
Looking like a three-masted fore and aft schooner, her white spars were clearly visible from Suva port for some days.
Then they, too, disappeared.
The “Woodburn” proved to those who watched her the extraordinary stability of a sailing ship. She simply would not capsize. On board the “Matafele”, one and another kept saying, “She is going this time!” But she never went. On the contrary, her last dying movement was to stand upright on the reef.—H.C.L.
Miss N. Armstrong, of the Melanesian Mission’s school at Torgil, New Hebrides, spent furlough at her home in Cambridge, New Zealand, in December and January.
Pacific Islands Monthly — February 15, 1940
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