Imagine the ghostly silhouette of the Ozone Paddle Steamer Ship Wreck. It lies just 50 metres offshore at Indented Head. This magnificent vessel once graced Port Phillip Bay. The Ozone was a paddle steamer built in 1886 near Glasgow. She was one of the finest ever built. She could reach speeds exceeding 17 knots.
Commissioned by the Bay Excursion Company the Ozone travelled to Australia. She became a beloved fixture on Port Phillip Bay. For many years she ferried passengers between Melbourne and Queenscliff. Her maiden voyage however was rather eventful. On December 18 1886 she collided with the Queenscliff pier. The Ozone’s career wasn’t without incidents. She was involved in several collisions including one with the Elfin in Hobsons Bay near Williamstown in 1889 and another with the May in Port Phillip Bay in 1894.
In 1918 the Ozone was retired. She was sold to shipbreaker J Hill in 1925. Her hull was deliberately sunk to create a breakwater. Today the wreck is slowly decaying. Time and the ocean’s relentless power have taken their toll. In 1991 the starboard paddle wheel collapsed dramatically altering the wreck’s appearance. One of the Ozone’s anchors now stands as a poignant memorial near Taylor Reserve at Indented Head. It overlooks the remains of this impressive vessel.
Divers can explore the shallow wreck. It’s an easy dive for those interested in history and underwater exploration. The Ozone’s story is a testament to a bygone era of elegant paddle steamers. It is also a reminder of Melbourne’s maritime past. This wreck silently rests on the seabed a tribute to a proud vessel.