In August 1989, the Archaeological Diving Unit (ADU) completed a survey of the wreck. As the diving contractor for England’s marine heritage, the ADU was responsible for researching assessing and monitoring wrecks.
The ADU divers noted that the main threat to the wreck was from divers whom had already removed some brass fittings from the engine and had left a hammer behind.
When the wreck was rediscovered the main features of the wreck were the two sets of boilers with engine in between. The outline of the hull was visible in parts but mainly evident through frames occasionally protruding from the seabed.
Intact features of the Iona II
· Hull to turn of the bilge - buried
· 2m x 4m section of hull
· Pairs of forward and aft boilers
· Sections of funnel
· Port paddle wheel
· Parts of starboard paddle wheel
· Engine
Missing features of the Iona II
· Masts
· Deckhouses
· Majority of funnels
After the underwater investigations the archaeological remains of the crankshaft, pistons and valve gear were compared with shipyard drawings to confirm that the wreck was the Iona II. The engine was a one off design and matched exactly with the engineers’ drawings.