The Hilda is a shallow, broken-up wreck that most Sydney divers visit once every couple of years. She was a 38 m (125 ft), 222-ton steam collier built in 1878–79 by Cuncliffe and Dunlop of Port Glasgow, with two masts carrying fore-and-aft sails to supplement her engine, working the short coastal run from the Newcastle and Illawarra coalfields into Sydney. Her first owner was Alexander Stuart, later Premier of NSW (1883–85); she passed to H.

Robinson in 1886 and later to E. Vickery and Sons. On the night of 19–20 July 1893 she left Port Kembla with coal for the French steamer Armand Behic.

Off Cronulla at about 1 am Captain Charles Phillipson left the bridge in the charge of the helmsman, and shortly afterwards the ship crashed onto the rocks at Cape Baily. She refloated under reverse engines, but the engineer reported that she would sink within minutes, and she went down just offshore; the Marine Board suspended the captain's certificate for three months for negligence. The wreck lies less than 200 m off Cape Baily Lighthouse on rocky bottom in 21–27 m, running south-west to north-east.

In 1958 a diver dynamited it, blowing off one and a half propeller blades, and storms in 1997 and 2001 did more damage, but two areas still hold a rough ship-like shape. The engine sits on flat rock at 21–23 m tilted to starboard, with a large winch 10 m to the north. The propeller and rudder, boiler casings and tubes, anchors and chain, capstans, davits and hull plates lie scattered around, and the propeller and engine make good photographic backdrops.

An anchor raised in the early 1970s went to the Gooyong Sea Scouts hall, and the ship's whistle was found in 2001 and restored to working order. The wreckage is well colonised by sponges and kelp with typical Kurnell fish – mado, yellowtail, silver sweep, morwong and blue gropers. At this depth it is accessible to most Advanced divers, giving 25 minutes or more without decompression, and suits wreck enthusiasts looking for an easy historical dive.

Boat only. From Port Hacking ramps (Gunnamatta Bay, Lilli Pilli) run out past Bass and Flinders Point and north-east along the Bate Bay/Kurnell cliffs to Cape Baily Lighthouse – about 15–20 minutes. From the Botany Bay ramps (Bonna Point, Kyeemagh, Foreshore Road) run out the heads and south past Cape Solander, about 20 minutes.

McFadyen's GPS is 34° 02.2661' S 151° 13.5266' E, under 200 m off the lighthouse. Anchor on the engine if possible; the rocky bottom holds well.

Cape Baily is one of the most exposed points on the Kurnell coast and the site sees extremely rough seas; southerly and south-easterly swell wraps around the cape and makes the boat ride and anchoring difficult, while big easterly seas create surge down to 20 m. Plan for swell under 1.5 m, ideally on a westerly or light north-westerly. Current is usually light but the East Australian Current occasionally runs along the cliffs.

Storms in 1997 and 2001 rearranged the wreckage, so expect changes after big east-coast lows. Visibility is best after several calm dry days.

Descend to the engine on flat rock at 21–23 m (tilted to starboard), then swim about 10 m north to the large winch and on to the bow section with anchors and chain. Return along the other side past boiler casings and tubes to the propeller and rudder at 24–27 m. With a computer, 25–28 minutes without decompression.

Pro Dive Cronulla and Abyss Scuba Diving visit occasionally in calm weather; mostly private boats and St George Scuba Club.