The Formosa (aka SS Formosa) was a combination iron hulled coaster, three-masted schooner and twin screw steamer, built in 1868. The Formosa lies at the Portsea Back Beach in Bass Strait, 3 miles east of Point Nepean,

The Formosa shipwreck is shattered and spread over numerous gutters. The boilers and winches are still identifiable. It is often difficult to find when shifting sands cover its remains.

The Formosa shipwreck is on an extremely rough section of Point Nepean, plus difficult to dive. The wreck can only be dived in ideal conditions.

The Formosa was a twin steam engine, twin screw steamer, built in 1868, by Thomas B Seath & Co, Rutherglen, Glasgow. Gross Tonnage: 205, Net Tonnage: 173. Built on the dimensions of 137 ft (42 m) in length, with beam: 22.2 ft (6.77 m), and draught 8.33 ft (2.54 m).

The Formosa is historically significant as a rare Australian example of the technical innovation of Thomas B. Seath's shipbuilding. The vessel has interpretive significance as an example of Rutherglen shipbuilding techniques and a historic shipwreck site. The archaeological significance still needs to be determined, however, there is potential for significant wreck remains to reveal further aspects of Seath's technical innovations and social life aboard vessels such as these.

Dive Type: Wreck Dive

Imported from The Scuba Doctor