History
The Coogee, originally named the Lancashire Witch, was launched in Great Britain in 1887. On arrival in Australia she served many years as a cargo transport between Launceston and Melbourne.
In 1903 she was involved in a collision with the Fortunato Figari, near Port Phillip Heads. The ship was extensively damaged, and the Master and another crew member killed. Following this incident the Coogee became part of the large fleet of bay Steamers, transporting cargo and passengers around Port Phillip Bay.

The Wreck Today
Today the Coogee lies in approximately 34m, listing to Port on a sandy bottom. The bow and stern sections are largely intact, and have become artificial reefs, hosting abundant and varied marine life, making it a photographers delight. Both the bow and stern sections provide swim throughs and limited penetration. The midships section has partially collapsed, exposing the twin boilers.
Because of the Coogee's size and the limited bottom time due to the depth, it is recommended that divers do not try to cover too much of the wreck in one dive. Concentrate on the bow or the stern, and, in this way, you will have a more relaxed dive.

Hazards and Precautions
The depth of the Coogee is 34m, which makes it a dive that calls for skilled and experienced divers, and careful planning.
Whilst on the wreck, ensure that you are well oriented back to your anchor line. A small cave diving reel is ideal for achieving this. If you are penetrating the wreck, do so cautiously, avoiding gear becoming entangled or damaged on rusting metal.