HMS Pandora is the shipwreck sunk in 1791 that is protected within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
The Royal Navy ship Pandora was sent to the Pacific to search for the Bounty mutineers. After detaining several men, Pandora struck the Great Barrier Reef on 29 August 1791 and sank the following day. The wreck lies in the northern Great Barrier Reef region near the outer reefs of the Torres Strait area.
Pandora’s wreck is important both archaeologically and historically. Excavations recovered thousands of artifacts, including navigational equipment, personal objects, weapons, and parts of the ship. The site is protected under Australian heritage law, and unauthorized removal of material is prohibited.
Pandora is sometimes confused with the Yongala, a much later passenger ship wrecked near Townsville in 1911. Endeavour also has a Great Barrier Reef connection, but James Cook’s ship ran aground in 1770 and was refloated rather than becoming the Pandora wreck.