Shipwreck Databases Western Australian Museum

Mayfield (1945)

Rocky Bay, Swan River

Originally built as an unpowered barge measuring 22m long and 5m across the beam, Mayfield was registered in 1899 and operated by the Swan Brewery Company. It was operated in conjunction with the paddle steamer Kentish Lass to transport beer from the brewery to the port, returning with sugar, hops and malt (Wellborn, 1987:79). In 1934, the barge was sold to a ferry operator named Tilly, who installed two engines, one powering a propeller, the other for a jib in order to operate independently (Cooper, 2012). As it is the case for many vessels of this kind, its history is relatively unknown, however during World War II, it was tasked to carried the armour plating shields of a 6 inch gun to Rottnest Island for the installation of the 9.2 inch naval guns at Oliver Hill battery (Scrimshaw, 1981:5). In 1945 it sank for reasons unknown in the Swan River at the base of the limestone cliffs on the western side of Rocky Bay, North Fremantle in a maximum depth of 5m. Its topmast visibly marked the location of the wreck for a number of years, until it eventually collapsed (Cooper, 2012).

Ship Built

Ship Lost

Gouped Region Metro

When Lost 1945

Where Lost Rocky Bay, Swan River

Latitude -32.029461

Longitude 115.757407

Position Information GPS2004

Ship Details

Engine 15HP Union engine and 10HP engine at bow to operate machinery including jib

Length 22.00

Beam 5.00

Museum Reference

Unique Number 1367

File Number 2009/0137/SG _MA-376/77

Protected Not protected State

Found Y

Inspected Y

Confidential NO