The Eglinton is the oldest wreck on the Perth north-metro coast. The 460-ton, 36 m timber barque left London in April 1852 carrying settlers and supplies for the Swan River Colony. Approaching Fremantle in the middle of the night, she struck a submerged reef; the rudder was knocked off and she drifted until she wrecked on the south-western part of Pamela Shoal. One female passenger died and a crew member was badly injured during the evacuation. The wreck became notorious because some of the crew and passengers broke into the cargo of alcohol.

After more than 170 years little remains. Within an area of about 30 m by 20 m in 2–8 m, divers find mostly buried remains: concreted bricks, ballast, broken china, green glass, cement barrels and lead pipes among limestone caves and sink holes. The artefacts are protected under the Historic Shipwrecks Act and must not be disturbed.

The reef is part of the attraction. Large caves beside the wreck site shelter fish and invertebrates, and the Marine Life Network reports good fish and invertebrate populations, including buffalo bream, wrasse, sweep and lobsters.

The Eglinton suits divers interested in early colonial history who are happy searching for small traces rather than structure. It needs calm weather and can be combined with the Two Fold Bay nearby. A torch helps when looking into the caves.

Water temperatures on this coast range from about 17–18 °C in late winter to 22–23 °C in late summer; a 7 mm wetsuit with a hood suits most of the year.

Launch at the Mindarie Marina public ramp (Mindarie Keys, off Marmion Avenue, about 40 minutes from the Perth CBD). The site is about 15–20 minutes north by boat, on the western side of the southern reef of Pamela Shoal, at S 31°38.552' E 115°39.523'. Anchor in the sand patches west of the wreck.

The Two Fold Bay wreck is close by.

The north-metro offshore sites face the open Indian Ocean with no island shelter. Swell comes mainly from the south-west and west, and the summer south-westerly sea breeze usually arrives late morning to early afternoon, making the run home rough. Needs calm weather with swell under 1 m, as the shoal is shallow and breaks readily.

Dive in the morning before the sea breeze.

Anchor west of the wreck, search the 30 m x 20 m site for bricks, glass, china and ballast among the limestone, then explore the large caves and sink holes next to it.

No regular operator; private boats and clubs.