The wrecks of two historically significant ships, the SS Rodondo and the Langstone, have been discovered off the coast of Western Australia by maritime archaeologists from the WA Museum, in collaboration with the crew of the reality show Shipwreck Hunters Australia. These vessels, lost for over a century, represent poignant tales of survival from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The SS Rodondo embarked from Adelaide in October 1894, carrying passengers eager to partake in the Western Australian gold rush. Tragically, just five days into the voyage, a navigational error led to the ship striking Pollock Reef. This mishap resulted in the loss of four lives while the remaining passengers, including two children, managed to reach Salisbury Island, approximately 140 km off Esperance. They endured a harrowing wait for rescue that lasted for days.
The Langstone, an iron sailing barque, was bound for London carrying a cargo of marri and karri timber when disaster struck in 1902. Shortly after setting sail from Bunbury, the ship encountered a fierce storm that forced it onto Naturaliste Reef. Within 20 minutes, the vessel sank, although all 13 crew members survived the initial wreck. However, exhaustion claimed the life of 22-year-old seaman Andreas Larsen shortly thereafter.
The discovery of these wrecks adds to the rich maritime heritage of Western Australia, an area often referred to as the Shipwreck Coast. According to Dr. Deb Shefi, the WA Museum’s maritime heritage curator, the region is notorious for its treacherous waters. She explained, “There’s no land between the Western Australian coast and the African continent, so water, being one of the strongest things on the planet, has all of this space to build and grow in its force.”
Dr. Shefi noted that the museum’s database contains around 1,800 recorded maritime archaeological sites along the WA coast, which includes both shipwrecks and crashed aircraft. Yet, only about 400 of these sites have been located.
The team from Shipwreck Hunters Australia, including WA filmmaker Ryan Chatfield and popular cast members such as Ash Sutton and Nush Freedman, engages in extensive research to uncover the histories of the vessels they are pursuing. Chatfield remarked that the initial step in locating a wreck often involves “deep diving through newspaper archives” to gather clues and honor the stories of those onboard.
Despite the challenges faced during expeditions, such as navigating harsh weather conditions, the thrill of discovery remains a driving force for the team. Chatfield recalled a particularly rough outing near Esperance while searching for the Rodondo, where they encountered a storm front from Antarctica that brought nine-meter swells and winds reaching 50 knots. “Ships don’t often wreck in nice, calm, crystal clear lagoons; it’s usually in locations of pure treachery and terrible weather,” he noted.
The allure of uncovering sunken treasure continues to captivate audiences, although Chatfield humorously pointed out that they have yet to find significant riches. “Are there wrecks out there loaded with gold and treasure? Probably, we haven’t found one yet, but that’s what propels you to go out onto these huge expeditions,” he said.
Under the Commonwealth Underwater Cultural Heritage Act, vessels older than 75 years are protected, prohibiting the removal of artifacts from the sites. Dr. Shefi emphasized the importance of preservation, stating, “Take only photos, leave only bubbles.”
The second season of Shipwreck Hunters Australia is set to premiere on Disney Plus on Wednesday, bringing the stories of these remarkable wrecks to an audience of over 150 million households worldwide. As viewers tune in, they will witness not only the excitement of discovery but also the enduring legacies of those who sailed these troubled waters more than a century ago.
