‘The SS Pericles Replica’ is a 4m by 3m steel hulled ship that has been repurposed and refitted to resemble the Steam Ship Pericles that was wrecked in the Capes region back in 1910.
Created in collaboration between Busselton Jetty Inc, the Australian National Maritime Museum, and Shorewater Marine – this piece of art was created several years ago and was the catalyst for the entire Underwater Sculpture Park and Artificial Reef!
The original SS Pericles was a 10,900 tonne Ocean Liner (built by the same people who built the RMS Titanic) that left London on her maiden voyage to Australia on 8 July 1908. Just after noon on 31 March 1910 – five days after leaving Melbourne – the Pericles struck an unchartered rock 9.7km south of Cape Leeuwin and sank shortly after.
The Wreck now lies 5.6km south of the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse at 35m deep. The sculptural replica at the Busselton Jetty represents Australia’s maritime heritage, archaeology, history, and marine life.
The ‘SS Pericles’ and the other various underwater sculptures will offer great opportunities for marine education and building awareness within the community about the significance of Australian maritime heritage!
