Project Objective: To positively identify and conduct pre-disturbance survey of the site.

Ship History: The TSS Cumberland was a 474ft, 9471 ton steel hulled steamship built in 1915. Owned by the Federal Steam Navigation Company, she was lost under the command of Captain McGibbon, when she struck one of the 14 mines laid off Gabo Island in June 1917 by the German raider Wolf. The Cumberland was run aground on Gabo Island in order to hopefully undertake repairs and save the ship and the cargo.

After extensive salvage and repair work, the tugs Champion and James Paterson took the Cumberland in tow, stern first, and headed for Sydney. On 11 August, when five mile south-east of Green Cape a strong north-easterly allowed water to enter the salvage patch, and finally she buried her bows, reared her stern 50 feet into the air then plunged into 51 fathoms of water.

It was not until 1952 that salvage crews finally recovered the remainder of her cargo, estimated at the time to be worth £300,000 using a diving bell fitted with a telephone and mechanical grab. The Cumberland lies in 98msw.

Project Status: Four expeditions have been made to the Cumberland, two being in collaboration with the The Sydney Project. A site plan is currently being prepared. Further expeditions are planned for later this year.

Further Information Required: Any information on the Cumberland, ships general arrangement drawings, any information on the crew and officers.