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The Wreck Reefs are located in the southern part of the Coral Sea Islands approximately 450 km East Nor East of Gladstone, Queensland or 250 km east of the Swain Reefs complex they form a narrow chain of reefs with small cays that extends for around 25 km in a west to east line Islets found on the reefs include Bird Islet, West Islet and Porpoise Cay. The reef gained its name through the sinking of the colonial sloops ''Porpoise'' and ''Cato'' which were lost on Wreck Reefs. In 1803 Matthew Flinders embarked Port Jackson aboard the ''Porpoise '' (as a passenger), which had been refitted to carry his collection of plants and papers. They were accompanied by the ''Cato'' and ''Bridgewater''. Eight days later (17 August) disaster stuck with the ''Porpoise'' and ''Cato'' striking the uncharted reefs giving cause to the naming of the area. The area is protected as a historic wreck site. ==General== The reef complex are approximately 100 km south east from Kenn Reefs, 150 km south east from the Saumarez Reefs and 120 km north nor west of Cato Island Wreck Reefs atoll consists of a narrow chain of reefs and cays which is approximately 25 km by 5 km west to east with an area of 75 km² and is open from the north. The sea always breaks over the cays. Cays found on the reefs include Bird Islet, West Islet and Porpoise Cay. Bird Islet , is a mound measuring some 500m by 250m and 6m high with a bare centre surrounded by a ring of herbage. It is the only one known to have any significant vegetation in the chain, and it has a reef 4.5 km. Porpoise Cay, is 275m long, 90m across and 3m high. It has a few low plants and lies 11 km west of Bird Islet in the centre of a shallow lagoon surrounded by a reef. The reef partially uncovers at low tide. West Islet , 1.8m high and bare, lies near the middle of the SE of three detached reefs at the west end of Wreck Reefs. A below-water reef surrounds West Islet. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Wreck Reefs」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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