Potentially historically significant as example of convict hulk. Archaeological significance could be limited due to ships being broken up. A the time of the first gold rushes, many vessels were abandoned by their crews on Port Phillip Bay. Lawlessness was rife, and existing penal institutions were unable to cope with the number of criminals being gaoled. The Deborah and Sacramento wee therefore purchased by the Government in 1853 for hulking as prison ships and were moored off Williamstown with three other prison hulks Lysander, President and Success.