Sydney experienced torrential rainfall during the week leading up to the planned dive at Bare Island. However the surface weather conditions at the weekend were good for diving. Despite the strong likelihood of poor visibility, SSAC members Steve W, Steve T, Jonathan & Sam thought it would be worth having a look.
On arrival at the site the sea was calm but the water was filthy dark brown. Pollution warnings were also in place at the nearby Congwong Bay. With no other divers to be seen at the normally crowded site it was an easy decision to cancel the dive and proceed with a cunning backup plan.
Instead of heading south across the bridge to Bare Island, all four divers turned east to embark on the Cape Banks Circuit bush walk in Kamay Botany Bay National Park. After rounding Henry Head rusting wreckage was sighted in the distance on Cape Banks headland. Upon closer inspection this turned out to be the remains of the collier SS Minmi (1927, 1,455 tons). The vessel ran aground in 1937 after encountering thick fog during a passage from Melbourne to Newcastle.
Another highlight of the hike was the historic Coast Hospital Cemetery, established in the early 1880s and home to around 2,000 graves. An optional side trip to the Jennifer Street Boardwalk was saved for another day since brekkie at the Boatshed was calling.
