WreckThe HMAS Perth & USS Houston - Intro | Historical Background Part 1| Part 2

The HMAS Perth & USS Houston
Introductioins
We explore the wrecks of the famous HMAS Perth and USS Houston on their final resting sites in Banten Bay on the Eastern approach to the Sunda Straits. These two sites are only accessible by experienced divers due to the depth of the wrecks and the strong currents that are common in this area. Visibility can also present some real challenges especially on the USS Houston, which lies in soft slit. The USS Houston sits in about 30 meters with the deck level at about 17m. Diving this wreck you must be luck to get the right conditions as the soft silt sediment of the ocean floor here can be whipped up by the strong currents bring visibility down to almost zero. However, if you are lucky enough to dive this site when visibility is okay, you will be rewarded with the sight of a well preserved heavy cruiser complete with 8 inch guns.

The HMAS Perth, located 3 Nm from the USS Houston, is a much more reliable dive. Sitting in 36 meters of water with deck level at about 21 meter, the sediment here is sand, resulting in less sediment and better visibility. Again much of the ship is intact, however having been hit by many torpedoes there is heavy hull damage. In fact there is one point where a large hole has been blasted from Port to Starboard allowing you see right through the superstructure of the ship. The 6” guns of the Perth are still mounted and make a spectacular sight.

Both sites provide a great habitat for fishes, and it is common to see large Trevally, snappers and groupers around these wrecks. For the fascinating background of these well preserved wrecks, please find our historical description below.

The “Cecelia Ann” regularly offers trips accompanied by Dive Masters who have a great deal of experience diving these sites. Best visibility is towards the end of the year, October through to January. Diving on these wrecks is recommended for Advanced Divers.