SS Rufus King, Maritime wreck site near Moreton Island, Australia
The SS Rufus King was a cargo ship built to transport supplies between continents during wartime. The wreck now rests as an underwater site positioned between two nearby islands, accessible to divers.
The ship was built in California in 1942 and soon after struck a sandbar off Queensland, splitting into two sections. The forward section was salvaged and repurposed as a repair workshop supporting military operations until 1945.
The wreck represents how vital ships were for connecting America and Australia during wartime operations. Divers visiting today encounter a physical reminder of the supply networks that sustained distant military efforts.
The wreck is accessible to divers underwater in relatively shallow waters between two islands. Visitors should arrange a guided dive through local operators who have experience with this site and the local conditions.
After sinking, the bow section was salvaged and converted into a floating repair facility called 'Half Rufus' that served military bases across the region. This improvised solution shows how wreckage was sometimes creatively repurposed rather than simply abandoned.
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