The PS Commodore is a paddlewheel tug from the era when paddle tugs towed sailing colliers in and out of Newcastle's harbour. Grey Nurse Charters records that she was built in 1878 at South Shields, England, and scuttled in 36 m off Newcastle on 8 September 1931, just days after the Irresistible and a few weeks before the Osprey. Her resting place has not been kind to her.

She lies in the ship anchorage off Newcastle, where dozens of bulk carriers wait to load coal, and Grey Nurse Charters notes that she has been damaged by coal ships anchoring on her. Even so, many recognisable parts remain, including the remains of a paddlewheel - an unusual feature to see on a scuttled tug, and the highlight of the dive. The surrounding seabed is sand, so the wreck forms an island of structure.

Grey Nurse Charters describes abundant fish life. Deep wrecks off Newcastle typically attract yellowtail and bullseyes, nannygai, leatherjackets and wobbegongs, and at this depth sponges and small gorgonians grow on the ironwork. At 36 m, air no-decompression time is short and nitrox is useful; the dive suits Deep-certified divers with experience.

It is less often dived than the shallower Irresistible, partly because of depth and partly because of the ship anchorage, but for wreck enthusiasts it offers the rare chance to see the paddlewheel of a nineteenth-century tug on the seabed. Because coal ships use the anchorage around the clock, check port movements with the skipper before the dive and keep the surface party alert for approaching vessels and anchor chains during the ascent.

Charters and private boats leave from Newcastle Harbour - the Carrington or Stockton boat ramps, or Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club/Marina precinct on Wharf Road - and run out past Nobbys Head through the harbour entrance, a busy commercial shipping channel where port traffic has right of way and Port Authority rules apply. Parking with trailer bays is available at both ramps. The Commodore lies off Newcastle in the anchorage area used by coal ships waiting to enter port; allow 15-25 minutes' run.

No public mark is published.

The Newcastle offshore sites are exposed to the full Tasman swell and generally need less than about 1.5 m of swell and light winds; strong southerlies and north-easterlies both make the run from the harbour uncomfortable. Visibility is the main variable: the Hunter River outflow through the harbour entrance stains the water for days after rain, so the best diving follows a dry spell and is usually timed around high tide, when clean ocean water pushes in. The East Australian Current brings warmer, clearer water from late summer into autumn, while winter can be cold (around 15-16 °C) but surprisingly clear.

Descend the shot to the wreck and locate the paddlewheel remains. Tour the recognisable machinery and hull fragments within the planned bottom time and ascend the shot with a safety stop.

Nitrox recommended; historic shipwreck protections apply.

Grey Nurse Charters dives the Newcastle wrecks and reefs by arrangement from Newcastle Harbour and Swansea; Dive Newcastle and local clubs dive them from private boats. There is no fixed daily schedule - trips run on demand and conditions.