Shipwrecks provide a wealth of information about how vessels and associated artifacts interact with their environment. In western Australian conditions (tropical-subtropical), wood does not survive unless buried under coral debris (e.g. Batavia, 1629), ballast mounds (Rapid, 1811) or sand (James Matthew, 1850). When SS Xantho was discovered in 1979 the site was found to be essentially untouched and provided an excellent opportunity to examine the physical, chemical and biological conditions of an iron shipwreck. The different phases of the investigation are described: predisturbance survey (1983) of marine biology, metal corrosion (data on corrosion potential, presence of entrapped gases, and depth to solid metal); excavation and installation of cathodic protection system. Site disturbance (1984). Recovery of the engine (1985). Appendix on the marine biology of the ship's boiler.