Ozone (paddle steamer)

Ozone passing Pile Light, Port Phillip (Unknown c.1910).
Career
Name:	Ozone
Operator:	Bay Excursion Company
General characteristics
Type:	Paddle Steamer
Tonnage:	572
Length:	260 ft (79 m)
Beam:	28 ft (8.5 m)
Height:	10.6 ft (3.2 m)
Speed:	17 knots

The Ozone was a ship built in 1886 near Glasgow, in Scotland. She could exceed 17 kts and is regarded as one of the finest paddle steamers ever built^{[citation needed]}.

Ozone was commissioned by the Bay Excursion Company and relocated to Australia, where she became a great favourite on Port Phillip Bay, in Victoria, and remained in service there for many years.

History

Paddle steamer Ozone on Port Phillip Bay (c.1900).

The wreck of the Ozone at Indented Head in the 1920s.

The wreck of the Ozone, offshore of Indented Head.

The Ozone's first bay excursion was on 18 December 1886, when she commenced a run between Melbourne and Queenscliff. On arrival she collided with the pier at Queenscliff.

In 1889, the Ozone was involved in a collision with the vessel Elfin, in Hobsons Bay, near Williamstown.

In 1894, she was involved in another collision, this time with the vessel May, in Port Phillip Bay.

The Ozone was withdrawn from service in 1918 and was sold to Melbourne shipbreaker J. Hill in March 1925. In October 1925 she was dismantled and her hull was sunk off-shore at Indented Head to form a breakwater for small craft.

Dive location

The wreckage of the Ozone remains visible about 50m offshore at Indented Head. The wreck is an easy shallow dive. One of Ozone's two anchors has been incorporated into an historical monument, which stands on the cliff-top near Taylor Reserve, overlooking the wreck, at Indented Head.

References

• Ozone 1886-1925
• Port Phillip Shipwrecks