The Wreck Reefs are located in the southern part of the Coral Sea Islands approximately 450 km East Nor East of Gladstone, Queensland or 250 km east of the Swain Reefs complex they form a narrow chain of reefs with small cays that extends for around 25 km in a west to east line
Islets found on the reefs include Bird Islet, West Islet and Porpoise Cay.
The reef gained its name through the sinking of the colonial sloops Porpoise and Cato which were lost on Wreck Reefs. In 1803 Matthew Flinders had left Port Jackson in the Porpoise (as a passenger), which had been refitted to carry his collection of plants and papers. They were accompanied by the Cato and Bridgewater. Eight days later (17 August) disaster stuck with the Porpoise and Cato striking the uncharted reefs to which this incident then gave its name to the vessels are of great historic significance and the wrecks contained within this area lie within a historic wreck site and are protected from unauthorized interference.
Read more about Wreck Reefs: General, Known Shipwrecks On The Reef
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