Mira Flores - Rottnest Island snorkelling

The Mira Flores was a German-owned iron barque of about 500 tons and 49 metres, built in Liverpool in 1867. She was sailing from London to Fremantle under charter to the Western Australian Shipping Association, a local merchants' group challenging the London shipping brokers, with a mixed cargo that included spirits, machinery, furniture, building materials and ammunition.

At about 6.10 am on 30 January 1886, in fine weather, she struck Horseshoe Reef off the island's north-west end. Captain Witt tried to run her for the beach, but she filled and settled on another reef patch off Narrow Neck. The crew were saved, but much of the cargo was lost before she broke up, a heavy blow to the Association. An inquiry in Germany later found the captain at fault.

She lies about a kilometre offshore, bow towards the shore. The stern is the most intact part, standing up from a sandy hole about 12 metres deep, while the bow has collapsed back on itself; between them, plating, frames and a donkey-engine winch are spread over a kelp-covered reef top. One of her anchors is on display on the island.

• Experience level: Advanced
• Depth: 5-13 m (reef top 5-7 m)
• Access: Boat needed: Horseshoe Reef, about 1 km off Narrow Neck on the north-west coast. Exposed site; the dive guide wants swell under 1 m. Only the reef top (5-7 m) is within reach from the surface; the stern lies in about 12 m.
• Historic Wreck (1886)
• German Iron Barque
• Horseshoe Reef
• Intact Stern Section
• Kelp-Covered Reef
• Maritime Heritage

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