After the end of the war, the obstruction was investigated by the survey ship HMAS "Lachlan". She arrived over the area in June 1947, and after several runs in the locality using anti-submarine instruments and echo sounder, found what appeared to be a patch of shoal water at six fathoms (11 m) surrounded by soundings from twelve to fourteen fathoms (22 to 26 m). "Lachlan" steamed over the area several times and found that the object was about long and probably the wreck of a fair-sized steamer, possibly lying on her side. The only ship that had been reported missing in those waters was "Yongala". The Navy did nothing to follow up the find.