Itata (1883)

Itata was a three-masted iron barque built by R & J Evans, Liverpool in 1883. She was severely damaged by a fire in her hold at Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, in 1906.^[1] Her hulk was towed to Sydney and was scuttled in Saltpan Creek, Middle Harbour.

The wreck of Itata.
History
United Kingdom
Name	Itata
Owner	Newark Shipping Company
Port of registry	Liverpool
Builder	R. & J. Evans, Liverpool
Launched	1883
Identification	Official Number: 87910
Fate	Scuttled in Middle Harbour.
General characteristics
Length	202.1 ft (61.6 m)
Beam	33 ft 6 in (10.21 m)
Depth	9.9 ft (3.0 m)
Sail plan	Full-rigged ship

The location is -33.8151031, 151.2246810

Fate

While awaiting loading of one hold with coal alongside a wharf, she was severely damaged by fire at Newcastle, 12 January 1906 after another hold with a nitrate cargo caught fire. The resultant fire and explosions bowed and twisted her iron hull. She was towed to Sydney for use as a hulk, however was too badly damaged and was scuttled in Saltpan Creek, Middle Harbour.

Currently the Itata is often used as a training site for wreck diving dive courses.

References

1. "The Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday 13 January 1906. p.11". Sydney Morning Herald. 13 January 1906. Retrieved 29 February 2012.

33°48.913′S 151°13.481′E