NEWSLETTER
Volume 16, Number 2, December 1997
ISSN 0814-1479
Australian Institute for Maritime Archaeology (Inc)
Editors: Kieran Hosty & Lindsey Shaw
Australian National Maritime Museum
GPO Box 5131,
SYDNEY NSW 2001
PH: 02 9552 7777 FAX: 02 9552 2318
Registered by Australia Post, Publication No. WBH 1635
AIMA Executive Council for 1995 - 1996
President: David Nutley
Sen Vice President: Jeremy Green
Vice President: Mark Staniforth
Vice President: Myra Stanbury
c/- Heritage Office
Locked Bag 5020
Parramatta NSW 2124
PH: (02) 9849 9574 FAX: (02) 9891 4688
Secretary: Tim Smith
c/- Heritage Office
Locked Bag 5020
Parramatta NSW 2124
PH: (02) 9849 9575 FAX: (02) 9891 4688
Treasurer: Cosmos Coroneos
c/- Heritage Office
Locked Bag 5020
Parramatta NSW 2124
PH: FAX: (02) 9891 4688
Honorary Auditor: Tom van Leeuwen
7 Delamere Avenue
SOUTH PERTH WA 6151
PH: 09 277 1611
Contributors please note the deadline for contributions for the next issue of the Newsletter (17.1) is March 30, 1998.
AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE FOR
MARITIME ARCHAEOLOGY INC
Minutes of the 1997 Annual General Meeting
Date: Tuesday 9 September 1997
Time: 5:30pm (WST)
Venue: W.A. Maritime Museum, Cliff St., Fremantle WA
Present:
S.A. Bill Jeffery, Nathan Richards, Peter Bell, Terry Drew, Terry Arnott
Qld. Freya Bruce, Myron Cause, Sherrin Hibbard
W.A. Pat Baker, Jeremy Green (left 7:20pm), Corioli Souter, Myra Stanbury (left 7:25pm), Dena Garratt, John Clarke (left 6:45pm), Brian Richards, Tom Vosmer (arrived 6:00pm)
Vic. Malcolm Venturoni, Ross Anderson, Paul Brock
N.S.W. David Nutley, John Riley
N.T. Paul Clark
N.Z. David Churchill
Apologies:
S.A. Mark Staniforth, Don Skinner
W.A. Mike McCarthy, Graeme Henderson
Tas. Mike Nash, Keith Moon
Vic. Ken Gurney, Peter Taylor
Qld. Peter Gesner, Warren Delaney, Janet Campbell, Vivienne Moran
N.S.W. Tim Smith, Kieran Hosty, Lindsey Shaw, Cos Coroneos
N.T. Tim Smith, Silvano Jung
1. Confirmation of A.G.M. Minutes for 1996
Moved David Nutley, seconded Jeremy Green, that the minutes of the 1996 AGM be accepted. Carried.
2. REPORTS
2.1 President's Report (Bill Jeffery)
The President submitted a summary of the year's activities which will be published in the next Newsletter. Of particular interest was the matter of AIMA's response to the overseas treasure hunting program broadcast on the Money Program, AIMA's contribution to the forthcoming publication titled Encyclopaedia of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, and AIMA's involvement in the DCA Working Party Meeting to be held 12 September 1997. All committee members were acknowledged for their contributions during the year, with particular thanks expressed to Pat Baker as Treasurer, Kieran Hosty and Lindsey Shaw for the Newsletter, Myra Stanbury and Jeremy Green as Publication Editors, and Terry Arnott as Secretary.
2.2 Treasurer's Report (Pat Baker)
The Treasurer reported on another successful year for AIMA, and was hopeful for increased volunteer memberships resulting from the AIMA/NAS training program. The Treasurer tabled the Auditor's Report which was distributed to members prior to the commencement of the meeting.
The Auditor's Report for 1996/97 will be published in the Newsletter.
2.3 Secretary' s Report (Terry Arnott)
The Secretary reported a marked improvement in communications between members of the AIMA Council due to email, and that regular meetings through the teleconference facility had proved to be advantageous to AIMA's management and operations throughout the year.
2.4 National Centre of Excellence Report (Bill Jeffery)
The President reported that the CofE is progressing well and that AIMA has played an important role over the past year as a member of the CofE's Steering Committee. The four successful applicants for the first round of project funding grants were: W.A. Maritime Museum for The Use of Solid State 13 C-NMR Spectroscopy to Measure the Extent of Degradation of Water-logged Wood Recovered from Historic Shipwrecks; W.A. Maritime Museum for Galle Harbour, Sri Lanka: Survey and Investigation; James Cook University for Pitcairn Island and the Bounty: Historical, Archaeological (Terrestrial and Maritime) Flinders University (budget to be revised - part funding) for The Archaeology of Whaling in Southern Australia (AWSA) Project Submissions for the next round of project grants will be sought in December 1997 or January 1998.
2.5 National Cultural Heritage Forum (Bill Jeffery)
The President reported that he had attended the first National Cultural Heritage Forum meeting held in Canberra in June 1997. AIMA and other community groups with an interest in cultural heritage had been invited to discuss the future role and policies of the Commonwealth with Senator Robert Hill, Minister for the Environment, and Senator Richard Alston, Minister for Communications and the Arts. The Ministers sought submissions for funding Federation project from the groups represented in the Forum, and AIMA has forwarded four project submissions. The four projects are: Whaling, Maritime Heritage Culture, AIMA Website, and the Australian Shipwreck Trail.
Another meeting of the National Cultural Heritage Forum is planned towards the end of 1997.
2.6 SPAC (Peter Gesner - apology)
In the Chairperson's absence it was decided that the SPAC should continue to advise on project issues relating to HMS Pandora and other site projects as they arise.
2.7 Diving Regulations Committee (Kieran Hosty - apology)
Following a general discussion in which David Nutley offered to assist Kieran Hosty to develop a diving standard, it was moved David Nutley, seconded Bill Jeffery, that AIMA develops a draft standard for archaeological diving.
2.8 Research Committee (Jeremy Green)
The Chairperson advised that the Research Committee has not received any project applications during the past year, and that he will contact Tom Vosmer to determine the current status of the Oman project.
2.9 Publications Review (Bill Jeffery)
The Chairperson reported that the Committee had reviewed the AIMA publications program for relevance to members and community. It was decided to continue with the Bulletin, Special Publications and Newsletter, and to produce a new magazine style publication once per year. It was also decided that AIMA requires a greater marketing effort to promote its publications. It was agreed that Bill Jeffery would undertake the roles of magazine editor and marketing officer for AIMA.
2.10 Publications Editorial (Myra Stanbury & Jeremy Green)
The two Special Publications from South Australia and Bulletin 20.2 are almost completed and will be distributed shortly.
The Editors advised that consideration should be given to producing the Bulletin annually instead of the biannual publication presently produced, and following a discussion it was agreed that a trial may be made by incorporating Bulletins 21.1 and 21.2 into one volume. Some thought is being given to improving the quality of the binding and covers of the Bulletins.
Consideration is also being given to outsourcing some of the publications preparation, ie typesetting. The added cost of the preparation would be covered by the CofE
2.11 Newsletter (Kieran Hosty & Lindsey Shaw - apologies)
Following a discussion it was agreed that consideration should be given to dating the Newsletters with the actual published date instead of the planned date, and that a web site should be initiated for the Newsletter.
2.12 Australian National Shipwrecks Database (Jeremy Green & David Nutley)
It was reported that significant problems have arisen with updating and accessing the ANSD due to a change of server in Western Australia, but it is hoped that a resolution will be found by the end of the year.
2.13 Scuba Expo 1997 (David Nutley)
It was reported that Scuba Expo 1997 was cancelled due to the demise of Dive Australia, and that AIMA's contribution of for the exhibition had been refunded by the N.S.W. Heritage Office.
2.14 AIMA/NAS Training Program (Mark Staniforth - apology)
It was reported that AIMA purchased the NAS
training package in 1996 and that Vivienne
Moran had been contracted to vary the package to Australian conditions, in consultation with the various States intending to run the course during 1997/98. Following the purchase of the NAS package the Committee nominated Mark Staniforth as the AIMA/NAS Senior Tutor. It is planned to hold the first AIMA/NAS Part One training course in November 1997 in Adelaide.
2.15 Diver Training Committee (Corioli Souter)
The Chairperson reported that the Committee had communicated with the diver training organisations in Australia and favourable responses had been received from two, namely NASDS and PADI. Further consultation will be held with these organisations with a view to introducing diver education on maritime heritage into basic level training courses.
2.16 1997 AIMA Conference (Myra Stanbury)
Following a report which was presented on the development and administration of the conference, a formal vote of thanks was expressed to all members involved in its organisation, and particularly to Myra Stanbury.
2.17 ICOMOS (Graeme Henderson - apology)
An ICOMOS meeting was held on Saturday 6 September at W.A. Maritime Museum. It was chaired by Graeme Henderson, and attended by Secretariat member, Bill Jeffery. The UNESCO Convention on protection of the maritime heritage is progressing well and a decision on this matter is expected soon. The wreck of the Titanic is to be proposed for World Heritage Listing as a test case. Consideration needs to be given to proposing an Australian site or sites for listing, possibly as a thematic approach.
3. ELECTION OF OFFICE BEARERS 1997-1998
3.1 Executive Committee Members
President: David NUTLEY
Heritage Office, Heritage Council of NSW,
Locked Bag 5020,
PARRAMATTA NSW 2124
Ph: 02 9635 6155 Fax: 02 9891 4688 Email: nutleyd@heritage.nsw.gov.au
Senior Vice: Bill JEFFERY
State Heritage Branch,
Dept of Environment & Natural Resources,
GPO Box 1047, ADELAIDE SA 5001
Ph: 08 8204 9311 Fax: 08 8204 9250 Email: jefferb@dep.sa.gov.au
Second Vice: Myra STANBURY
WA Maritime Museum, Cliff Street, FREMANTLE WA 6160
Ph: 08 9431 8437 Fax: 08 9335 7224 Email: stanburm@museum.wa.gov.au
Third Vice: Terry ARNOTT
State Heritage Branch,
Dept of Environment & Natural Resources,
GPO Box 1047, ADELAIDE SA 5001
Ph: 08 8204 9245 Fax: 08 8204 9250 Email: tarnott@denr.sa.gov.au
Secretary Tim SMITH
Heritage Office, Heritage Council of NSW
Locked Bag 5020,
PARRAMATTA NSW 2124
Ph: 02 9635 6155 Fax: 02 9891 4688 Email: smitht@heritage.nsw.gov.au
Treasurer Cos CORONEOS
46 Gale Road, MAROUBRA NSW 2035
Ph/Fax: 02 9344 3120
Email: cosmosc@ozemail.com.au
3.2 State Council Members (max 18)
Qld Peter GESNER
Queensland Museum,
GPO Box 3300, STH BRISBANE QLD 4101
Ph: 07 3840 7673 Fax: 07 3846 1918
Email: peterg@qm.qld.gov.au
Warren DELANEY
Queensland Museum,
GPO Box 3300, STH BRISBANE QLD 4101
Ph: 07 3840 7600 Fax: 07 3846 1918
Email: warrend@qm.qld.gov.au
NSW John RILEY
GPO Box 52, BONDI NSW 2026
Ph: 02 9389 5341
Commonwealth: Kieran HOSTY
C/- Australian National Maritime Museum, GPO Box 5131, SYDNEY NSW 2001
Ph: 02 9552 7710 Fax: 02 9552 2318 Email: khosty@mm.gov.au
Vic Peter HARVEY
Heritage Victoria, Level 22,
80 Collins Street,
MELBOURNE VIC 3000
Ph: 03 9655 9754 Fax: 03 9655 9720 Email: peter.harvey@doi.vic.gov.au
Ross ANDERSON
Heritage Victoria, Level 22,
80 Collins Street,
MELBOURNE VIC 3000
Ph: 03 9655 9721 Fax: 03 9655 9720 Email: ross.anderson@doi.vic.gov.au
Ken GURNEY
Heritage Victoria, Level 22,
80 Collins Street,
MELBOURNE VIC 3000
Ph: 03 9655 9734 Fax: 03 9655 9720 Email: ken.gurney@doi.vic.gov.au
Malcolm VENTURONI
MAAV, 20 Sixth Avenue,
CHELSEA HEIGHTS VIC 3196
Ph: 03 9772 4727
Email: malcolmv@ocean.com.au
Tas Mike NASH
Parks, Wildlife & Heritage, GPO Box 44A, HOBART TAS 7001
Ph: 03 6233 2387 Fax: 03 6224 0884 Email: mike.nash@delm.tas.gov.au
Keith MOON
152 Mt. Rumney Road,
MT. RUMNEY TAS 7170
Ph: 03 6261 0469 BH Ph: 03 6248 5123 Email: kemoon @ozemail.com.au
SA Dr Peter BELL
17 Sherwood Terrace,
BEAUMONT SA 5066
Ph: 08 8379 6498 Fax: 08 8338 2460 Email: pbell@adelaide.on.net
Terry DREW
SUHR, 38 Baker Street,
SOMERTON PARK SA 5044
Ph/Fax: 08 8295 1877
WA Dena GARRATT
WA Maritime Museum, Cliff Street, FREMANTLE WA 6160
Ph: 08 9431 8435 Fax: 08 9335 7224 Email: garrattd@museum.wa.gov.au
Brian RICHARDS
Lot 36 Loris Way,
KARDINYA WA 6163
Ph: 08 9360 2351 Fax: 08 9310 8480 Email: brianr@cleo.murdoch.edu.au
NT Paul CLARK
Museum & Art Gallery of the NT, GPO Box 4646, DARWIN NT 0801
Ph: 08 8999 8283 Fax: 08 8999 8289 Email: paul.clark@nt.gov.au
Tim SMITH
School of Fine Arts, Northern Territory University, DARWIN NT 0909
Ph: 08 8946 6324 Fax: 08 8927 0612 Email: tim.smith@ntu.edu.au
NZ David CHURCHILL
MAA of NZ, 22 Nassau Ave.,
Grenada North, WELLINGTON,
NEW ZEALAND
Ph: 04 232 8006 Mobile: 025 531003
3.3 AIMA/NAS Senior Tutor
Mark STANIFORTH
Archaeology, Flinders University,
GPO Box 2100,
ADELAIDE SA 5001
Ph: 08 8201 5195 Fax: 08 8201 3845 Email: Mark.Staniforth@flinders.edu.au
3.4 Publications Officer
vacant
4. APPOINTMENT OF SUB-COMMITTEES
Research Committee and Chair
(5 approved by CSIRO)
Jeremy GREEN (Chair)
WA Maritime Museum, Cliff Street, FREMANTLE WA 6160
Ph: 08 9431 8440 Fax: 08 9335 7224 Email: greenj@museum.wa.gov.au
Professor Frank BROEZE
Dept of History, University of Western Australia, WA; Professor John PENROSE Centre for Marine Science, Curtin University of Technology, WA; Mike MCINTYRE Heritage Victoria, Dept of Infrastructure, VIC; Jon WOMERSLEY Director, National Parks & Wildlife Service, Conservation, QLD
Publications Committee and Chair (7)
Jeremy GREEN (Chair) Myra STANBURY Bill JEFFERY, Kieran HOSTY
Mark STANIFORTH Cos CORONEOS Malcolm VENTURONI
Shipwrecks Register Committee and Chair (7) Jeremy GREEN (Chair) David NUTLEY Bill JEFFERY, Mike NASH Peter GESNER Paul CLARK, Tom VOSMER WA Maritime Museum, Cliff St., FREMANTLE WA 6160
Ph: 08 9431 8439 Fax: 08 9335 7224 Email: vosmert@museum.wa.gov.au
Special Projects Advisory Committee (SPAC) and Chair (8) Peter GESNER (Chair) David NUTLEY Kieran HOSTY, Mike NASH, Bill JEFFERY, Paul CLARK Peter HARVEY, Jeremy GREEN
Diving Regulations Committee and Chair (9) Kieran HOSTY (Chair) Jeremy GREEN Bill JEFFERY, David NUTLEY, Mike NASH Peter GESNER, Paul CLARK , Peter HARVEY, Professor John CAMPBELL
James Cook University,
TOWNSVILLE QLD 4811
Ph: 077 814231 Fax: 077 814045
Email: John.Campbell@jcu.edu.au
Training Programs and Chair (7)
Mark STANIFORTH (Chair) Bill JEFFERY Peter GESNER Malcolm VENTURONI Cos CORONEOS; Judith MCDONALD
Dive Australia, P.O. Box 1967, PARRAMATTA NSW 2124
Ph: 02 9689 1389 Fax: 02 9891 2256 Email:100405.3322@compuserve.com;
Corioli SOUTER W.A. Maritime Museum, Cliff Street, FREMANTLE WA 6160
Ph: 08 9431 8439 Fax: 08 9335 7224 Email: souterc@museum.wa.gov.au
Diver Education (NASDS/PADI) and Chair (5) Corioli SOUTER (Chair)
Cos CORONEOS, David NUTLEY, Judith MCDONALD; Dean COX PADI, GPO Box 713, WILLOUGHBY NSW 2068
Ph: 02 9417 2800 Fax: 02 9417 1434 Email: barcher@ozemail.com.au
Newsletter Editors (2)
Kieran HOSTY & Lindsey SHAW
Aust National Maritime Museum,
GPO Box 5131,
SYDNEY NSW 2001
Ph: 02 9552 7710 Fax: 02 9552 2318
Email: khosty@anmm.gov.au
lindseys@anmm.gov.au
5. APPOINTMENT OF PUBLIC OFFICER (2yr apptmnt)
Pat BAKER WA Maritime Museum, Cliff Street, FREMANTLE WA 6160
Ph: 08 9431 8443 Fax: 08 9335 7224 Email: bakerp@museum.wa.gov.au
6. APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR
Tom VAN LEEUWEN (CPA)
7 Delamere Avenue
SOUTH PERTH WA 6151
7. GENERAL BUSINESS
7.1 Membership Fees
Moved Myra Stanbury, seconded Jeremy Green, and carried that membership fees be increased as follows:
Ordinary from $35 to $40
Students from $25 to $30
Institutional from $75 to $80
Associate from $17.50 to $20
Life Member from $100 to $500
(NOTE: Life Membership fee does not refer to Honorary Life Membership.)
7.2 Changes to AIMA Constitution
7.2.1 AIMA/NAS Senior Tutor
Moved Bill Jeffery, seconded Dena Garratt, and carried that Clause 23.1 of the Constitution be amended as follows (changes in italics):
23.1 (1) The Council shall consist of:
a) the officers of the Institute;
b) eighteen other members
c) a publications officer
d) the AIMA/NAS Senior Tutor
7.2.2 Concession Membership
Moved Terry Arnott, seconded Pat Baker, and carried that Clause 29 (1) of the Constitution be amended as follows (changes in italics):
29. (1) Until otherwise fixed pursuant to sub-rule (2) of this rule, the annual subscription payable by ordinary members shall be the sum of twenty-five dollars ($25) and by institutional members fifty dollars ($50). Provided that ordinary members who are full-time tertiary students or who have retired from the workforce may pay three quarters (3/4) of the annual subscription rate.
7.2.3 Cheque Signatories
Moved Bill Jeffery, seconded Malcolm Venturoni, and carried that Clause 8.6 of the Constitution be amended as follows (changes in italics):
8. (6) All cheques, drafts, bills of exchange, promissory notes and other negotiable instruments shall be signed by the Treasurer, or in the Treasurer's absence, by other such member or members of the Council as the Council may nominate for that purpose, and shall be countersigned by the Secretary or President or other member of the Council as the Council may nominate for that purpose.
7.3 Fides Travelling Exhibition
A report was presented by Bill Jeffery on the South Australian proposal to develop an exhibition on the wreck of the Finnish built barque Fides (1857-1860) and plans to travel the exhibition to Finland in 1999. It was agreed that AIMA would provide support for the project on an as required basis.
7.4 1998 AIMA Conference - Darwin, Northern Territory
It was reported that Paul Clark will be the conference coordinator with support from Tim Smith and Silvano Jung. A tentative theme for the conference is The Archaeology of First Contact Sites. The exact date for the 1998 AIMA Conference has not yet been determined.
7.5 Future AIMA Conference Venues
It was reported that the time and venue for future AIMA conferences will be as follows, and that contact should be made asap with the President if any State has a difficulty with the selected dates:
1998 Darwin 1999 Sydney 2000 Adelaide 2001 Brisbane 2002 Melbourne 2003 Hobart 2004 Perth
7.6 Research Grants
It was reported that the Centre of Excellence did not wish to undertake this initiative following an approach by AIMA. It was agreed that AIMA should undertake to provide an annual research grant or publications subsidy, and that Bill Jeffery will prepare the necessary guidelines for consideration by the Committee.
7.7 Creating a Professional Classification within AIMA
A document was distributed by David Nutley on the creation of a register or classification of professional maritime archaeologists. This matter will be published in the Newsletter and will be considered by the Committee in the near future.
8. NEW BUSINESS
8.1 AEII Submarine
John Riley (NSW) expressed his thanks to AIMA for providing a letter of support for the upcoming expedition to investigate a site reported in Turkish waters.
8.2 Thanks
The members expressed their thanks to Bill Jeffery, outgoing President, and Pat Baker, outgoing Treasurer, for the hard work and input given during their terms in office which have significantly contributed to the success of AIMA.
State and Commonwealth Representatives Input: Nil
Next Annual General Meeting: The 1998 AIMA AGM is to be held during the
AIMA Conference to be held in Darwin, Northern Territory on a date to be determined.
Meeting closed: 7:30pm (WST)
Australian National Maritime Museum
Early 19th century shipwreck located off Nuku alofa, Kingdom of Tonga: On the 19 September 1997 Paul Hundley and Kieran Hosty travelled to the Island of Tongatapa in the Kingdom of Tonga.
Funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian National Maritime Museum the two curators had been requested by the Tongan Ministry of Marine and Ports to investigate the remains of a shipwreck which had been located by two Royal Australian Navy advisers to the Royal Tongan Navy in October 1996.
The Ministry of Marine and Ports and the site finders were concerned that a proposed extension to the nearby Vuna wharf could impact heavily on the wrecksite which had been tentatively identified as being an armed American vessel called the Duke of Portland or Portland which had been captured by Tongan's in 1802.
Investigation
After arriving in Tonga, Hundley and Hosty, with the assistance of Chief Petty Officer Phil Lenton, the Royal Tongan Navy, the Ministry of Marine and Ports and the Australian High Commission carried out a pre-disturbance survey of the shipwreck which lies in 16 to 18 metres of water, 150 meters off shore from the town of Nuku-alofa (the Tongan capital),
Working out of HMNB Masefield and using a workboat provided by the Australian High Commission the divers spent five days - for religious reasons work on Sunday is prohibited in Tonga - investigating the shipwreck remains.
During that time the wrecksite was measured, mapped, photographed and videoed, historical records consulted and discussions occurred between the divers, dive shop operators, the Australian High Commission, the Royal Tongan Navy and the Ministry of Marine and Ports.
Although the archaeological and historical investigation has discounted the possibility of the wreck being that of the Duke of Portland the vessel remains have proven to be of great interest.
The remains are those of an early 19th century, heavily armed, iron fastened, copper sheathed, wooden sailing vessel of approximately 300 - 400 tons. The style of construction, type of timbers used and the vessels cargo - Chinese ceramics, South East Asian provincial ware, iron billets, copper alloy pipes, animal teeth and stone - seem to indicate a vessel of South East Asian or Indian origin.
The vessels armament, it's none appearance in historical records (Nuku-alofa was established as the Tongan capital and principal port in the early 1840s) and it's method of construction - seem to indicate a vessel dating to the first quarter of the 19th century.
Artefact Hand over
Besides the archaeological investigation of the site another major feature of the ANMM's visit to Tonga was the official handing over of a small swivel gun, along with thirty ceramic artefacts. (Items which had been recovered from the shipwreck in 1996 and sent to the Australian National Maritime Museum for conservation treatment) by the Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency Mr Andrew Mullin to His Majesty King Taufa-ahau Tupou IV of Tonga.
The ceremony was attended by the Tongan Privy Council, the Tongan Prime Minister Baron Vaea of Houma, Crown Prince Tupouto-a, the Secretary of Marine and Ports Mr Sione Tu-itupou, and members of the local press including The Tongan Chronicle, Taimi-O Tonga and Matangi Tonga.
Immediate Outcomes
The archaeological investigation of the shipwreck site along with the hand over of the conserved relics has greatly highlighted the role of the Australian National Maritime Museum in the Pacific.
His Majesty King Taufa-ahau Tupou IV and Mr Mullins expressed their gratitude to the ANMM for showing an interest in the affairs of the region - and for the providing of expert assistance in the form of maritime archaeology and conservation.
During the handover ceremony the Prime Minister and Mr Mullins also mentioned that they would be keen to see the shipwreck sites off Nuku-alofa properly interpreted and protected in some sort of cultural heritage trail for tourists, a statement that was supported by the Minister for Tourism.
The Future
Paul and Kieran are currently trying to identify the wreck by using the archaeological information obtained from the wrecksite and comparing it with historical information on the 20 shipwrecks known to have been wrecked off Tonga-tapu.
This information along with recommendations on the sites interpretation and protection will be included in a formal report to the Tongan Government which is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Maritime Museums of Australia Support Scheme (MMAPSS): Successful Grant applications from the MMAPSS scheme - jointly funded by the Australian National Maritime Museum and the Commonwealth Government's Distributed National Collections Program - have just been announced.
Grants have been given to Surfworld Surfing Museum, Torquay (Vic); Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement, Swan Hill (Vic); Whaleworld Museum, Albany, (WA); Sydney Maritime Museum, Sydney (NSW); Clarence River Historical Society, Grafton (NSW); Lower Tweed River Historical Society, Tweed Heads (NSW); South Australian Maritime Museum, Port Adelaide (SA); The Portland Lifeboat Museum, Portland (Vic) and the Furneaux Historical Research Association, Flinders Island (TAS).
Kieran Hosty
Curator of Maritime Archaeology
NSW Heritage Office
PROJECT AE2
The Australian Team, Project AE2, departed Sydney on 3 October 1997 to inspect a wreck thought to be Her Majesty's Australian Submarine AE2 lost during the Gallipoli Campaign of 1915. The team returned home safely three weeks later. It was with an air of anticipation at the meeting with Selcuk Kolay of the Rahmi Koch Industrial Museum in Istanbul. Mr Kolay, finder of a wreck believed to be the scuttled submarine AE2, had spent 2 years researching and searching for the site. He made the tentative discovery following a sidescan survey of portions of the Sea of Mamora where the submarine was scuttled. On his invitation, Project AE2 proceeded to Turkey with significant financial assistance from the Royal Australian Navy, The Australian Women's Weekly and a number of lesser sponsors. Such was the excitement of the possible discovery, that TCN 9 sent a film crew to document the inspection work.
The team, which comprised Dr Mark Spencer, Tim Smith, John Riley, Merv Maher and Richard Taylor, joined the Museum's research vessel, MV Saros in Istanbul, together with its crew and Museum team, headed by Selcuk Kolay. Poor weather conditions hampered the diving operations for most of the trip, although two dives were achieved, reaching the wreck in 86 metres of water. The first dive quickly indicated that this was not a submarine but a coastal steamer, probably dating from the nineteenth century. While disappointing, the investigation of this site by Spencer, Riley and Maher, achieved the goals of Project AE2 which were to locate, identify and assess the site previously reported by Mr Kolay.
The inspection work was conducted in less than ideal conditions with limited water visibility and, due to the depth, limited bottom Arial. The results of the work were more than enough however to dismiss this particular site and to invigorate the Turkish team's continuation of the search. It is apparent that the AE2 will be located in due time, given the dedication of Selcuk Kolay, the resources at his disposal, and the enclosed nature of the Sea of Mamora. Tim Smith is now compiling a report on the inspection for submitting to the Royal Australian Navy. A substantial collection of original documentation, plans and photographs has been assembled in preparation for a possible return trip
Torone
Tim Smith returned to Sydney University's excavations of the classical Greek harbour of Torone in Northern Greece, during September. The small Australian team worked in conjunction with the Greek Government's Underwater Ephoria in the survey and excavation of the harbour installations and associated foreshore buildings. Several structures were inspected with pottery dating from the Bronze Age to the Roman period.
North Coast surveys
In November, the NSW Heritage Office undertook a preliminary surveys of a series of wreck sites in the NSW north coast. Heritage Office Maritime Archaeological staff David Nutley and Tim Smith were assisted by Colin Browne from Public Works and Services Manly Hydraulics Laboratory. Colin has recently joined AIMA after a long involvement with assisting the Heritage Office with its diving operations.
The surveys focused on a number of reported sites that had not previously been inspected by the Heritage Office. Very little of the brigantine Anne Moore has survived since 1889 when it was lost on a reef now known as Anne Moore Reef at Sandon Bluffs. This is not surprising as the reef is shallow and very exposed to easterlies, south easterlies and north easterlies. Curiously a large shaped timber appears to have survived above the sand, wedged below large boulders and covered in marine encrustations.
Further south at South West Rocks the Agnes Irving (1879) lies off the original entrance to the Macleay River. This paddle wheeler (built 1862) is in remarkably good condition for a ship that lies in about 10m at the back of the surf zone. With 4m visibility, it was deemed to be quite clear for this particular site. A position fix and photographic record were obtained along with measured sketches of some of the main components of the complex.
At Seal Rocks, the tide prevented a probe survey from determining whether the box boiler on the beach was still attached to the ship's hull. Identification is tentatively given as being that of the Trio (1870) although the Rainbow (1864) is also a possible contender. Another visit at the right tide may solve this one.
The Myall Lakes area has been identified as a focus within our current financial year work program. A visit to Hawke's Nest at the entrance to Myall Lakes put us in touch with some very helpful contacts and we subsequently visited about six wrecks on the river banks in the vicinity. We are looking forward to some detailed studies in the near future.
Sonar Imaging of the Bottom of Sydney Harbour
In November this year (1997) Sydney University carried out a high-resolution digital imaging of the bottom of Sydney Harbour using an advanced sonar. Their purpose was 'to showcase advanced marine science right inside a major city, to demonstrate the sciences and technologies which are in use at marine frontiers in Australasian waters but are unfamiliar to the main population.'
What will the harbour imagery show ?
Dr Chris Jenkins of the University of Sydney Ocean Sciences Institute says that 'The imagery will show wrecks, submerged navigation hazards, jettisoned containers and drums, the harbour tunnel, seabed trawling scars, cables and pipelines and other features of interest with resolution of about 10cm over a full 3 dimensional image'. In short, it will be like seeing the harbour with the water (briefly) sucked out. The effects are very spectacular and I recommend a visit to the website at <http://omphacite.es.su.oz.au/osi/SydHbr/shmb.html>.
Following on from the demonstration, the Heritage Office is planning some cooperative projects with the university. More news on this at a later date.
David Nutley and Tim Smith
Other New South Wales News
AE2: With the assistance of a letter of support from AIMA, private funds were raised for four divers, Mark Spencer, John Riley, Richard Tayor and Merv Meyer plus archaeologist Tim Smith to visit Turkey in October to dive a site reported to be that of the Royal Australian Navy submarine AE2 which had been sunk in action with the Turkish Navy in 1915.
The primary aim of the expedition was to positively identify the site as that of the submarine. Two dives were made to 86 meters but unfortunately the wreck turned out to be that of a small iron steamer with a straight bow, circa 1880 - 1910.
Diving conditions on the first dive were perfect and on the second dive horrendous. The water is crystal clear but very dark and the wreck is draped in fishing nets..
Although disappointed the wrecks finder Selchuk Kolay will continue the search for the AE2 with the team from Australia on standby to revisit Turkey when the submarine is found. The team saw the sites in Istanbul, visited Gallipoli and cruised the Islands of the Seas of Mormora. Some tough sightseeing after some tough diving.
Thanks again to AIMA for the support.
Riley Bey (John Riley)
AE2 Expedition Team
New South Wales
Walsh Bay Re - development, maritime archaeological assessment of Wharves 6/7 and 8/9, Sydney: An extensive re-development, for commercial and residential use, has been proposed for Walsh Bay. Some aspects of the proposal has the potential to disturb submerged cultural remains. From the 1840s Walsh Bay had been a major centre for the import/export trade for Sydney. Throughout the ninetieth century a plethora of wharves and jetties were constructed and demolished in the Bay, culminating in the erection of Government finger wharves in the first two decades of this century. The study found that substantial submerged ninetieth century cultural remains are to be expected in the areas to be impacted by the development. Though the archaeological values of the submerged cultural deposits associated with the ninetieth century wharves and jetties should not be adversely affected by the proposed works, the remains of the wharves and jetties themselves may be affected. It was recommended that an underwater inspection, both visual and remote sensing, be undertaken to locate and plot the remains of the ninetieth century wharves and jetties. The potential presence of heavy metals etc...as experienced by the WAMM on the Albany Town jetty has been noted.
Maritime archaeological assessment of the proposed development for Penneshaw Harbour, Kangaroo Island, South Australia. The South Australian Ports Corporation is intending to enlarge the berthing facilities of Penneshaw harbour through the creation of a breakwater and extensive dredging around the present day berth. Within the development area lies the remains of the wreck of the William (1847), a 15 ton cutter built in 1844 on Kangaroo Island as well as the possible remains of the Hog Bay Whaling Station. A two day diving inspection was undertaken with the aim of locating the remains of the William. Wreckage consistent with that of a small ninetieth century vessel was located. However this wreckage, in an area where it was deduced that the remains of the William would be present, will not be immediately impacted by the proposed development. It was recommend that a monitoring programme be established to keep a check on sand levels in the area where the suspected wreckage of the William is located after the breakwater is constructed. It was also recommended that a watching brief be kept on the dredge spoil during the dredging operations.
Maritime archaeological assessment of submerged cultural deposits associated with the South Channel Pile Light, Port Phillip Bay, Victoria. The South Channel Pile Light (SCPL), a crewed wooden structure erected in the 1870s, acted as one of the leading lights for Melbourne. Last occupied in the 1920s its condition has deteriorated markedly. Recent channel widening activities by the Government has lead to the potential destabilisation of the structure. It has been proposed to remove the superstructure of the SCPL and relocate it. As a sub-consultancy to Austral Archaeology an underwater inspection was undertaken with staff from Heritage Victoria with the aim of assessing the extent of submerged cultural deposits beneath the structure. The inspection revealed that the potential for extensive deposits for cultural material exists despite the activities of bottle collectors. However it was observed that the encroaching edge of the channel, at least one metre from the nearest pile, will have a detrimental impact on the submerged cultural deposits in the form of diminishing their contextual integrity as well as exposing artefacts to bottle collectors. It was recommended that a series of test trenches be excavated for the purpose of retrieving artefacts in context for future study and interpretation on the archaeology of the SCPL and its occupants.
The Queensland Historic Shipwrecks Database: Begun in May 1997 this project is due for completion in December. To date 632 new wrecks have been added to the database bringing the total number to 1205. Research on the wrecks has been carried out in Brisbane as well as at the National Maritime Museum in Sydney. The database has been developed on Access.
Cosmos Coroneos
Consulting Archaeologist
Northern Territory
Management Plan for the Historic Shipwreck Australian: A grant from the Commonwealth Department of Communications and the Arts has funded a project which involves the development of a management plan for the Australian historic shipwreck. This work will be conducted by David Steinberg.
For a 10 day period in early November 1997, David Steinberg and John Riley (NSW) were joined by Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife Commission officers to conduct a pre-disturbance survey of the Australia. The vessel is located at Vashon Head, Coburg Peninsula in the Northern Territory.
The Australian, built in 1896 by Napier Engineering, Glasgow, was a two masted schooner rigged steal steamer, with a gross tonnage of 2838 tons (342 x 42 x 22).
The Australian, carrying both cargo and passengers came to grief in 1906 whilst attempting to complete its run from the southern states to Darwin.
The site is of high archaeological significance because of the examples of primary and auxiliary machinery that remain in relatively good condition on the site. The extent to which the Australian illustrates a series of particular technological design features makes it a valuable example of the ingenuity and individuality behind late 19th century steamship manufacture. The distinctive clipper bow, which remains a striking feature of the site illustrates the ascetic interest of the ship designers.
Particular thanks goes out to John Riley for his participation in the filed trip and his following contributions in site interpretation. Injured by nasty marine predators and exhausted by the heat he continued to both dive and eat my cooking. Thanks also to Alan Withers, Libby Stirling, Rowan Sullivan and Mark Ingram of the N.T. Parks and Wildlife Commission for their participation in the filed trip.
This current project dealing with the Australian follows on from a wreck inspection survey conducted in 1995 by Cosmos Coroneos, Paul Clark and other AIMA representatives.
Updating Shipwreck Files: A grant from the Commonwealth Department of Communications and the Arts enabled Silvano Jung to continue work on the Northern Territory Shipwreck Database (NTSD). An extensive body of material has been accumulated on shipwrecks since the last update in 1995. The primary aim for the NTSD research this year was to incorporate this new information into the shipwreck files.
However before new material could be added to the shipwreck files, the files themselves needed to be upgraded. The shipwreck files have now been indexed providing a system that keeps track of research material on shipwreck sites as it comes to hand.
Additional historical research was also carried out, which has uncovered a number of previously unknown references to wrecked vessels. This new information will now be incorporated into the database.
Cheers
Silvano Jung and David Steinberg
Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.
silvano.jung@nt.gov.au
david.steinberg@nt.gov.au
Queensland Museum
Power Authority Back Next Pandora Expedition: Preparations for the 1998 North Queensland Power Authority (NORQEB) Pandora Expedition are well underway and the Expedition looks like being the largest one to date. Two vessels instead of the usual one, a large team and a longer period of time (12 January - 26 February) means the Museum anticipates recovering twice as many artefacts as on previous fieldtrips.
Once again Pacific Conquest will be used as an expedition work vessel. The second vessel is to be the Undersea Explorer. Both vessels will house a team of 18 people but the archaeological work will be centred on Pacific Conquest.
Two areas of the shipwreck are to be the focus of the forthcoming season. In the stern the Museum will continue to excavate the officer's storerooms and cabins whilst in the bow the excavation team will concentrate on the areas occupied by the ordinary sailor.
The four point mooring system which has been a permanent feature of the site since 1994 will be fine tuned to enable two separate dive teams to simultaneously excavate the shipwreck.
Some new faces on the 1998 Expedition will be James Cook University archaeology students Alison Mann and Jane White. Seconded from Townsville General Hospital Dr David Griffiths and Dr Stuart Lavender (back by public demand) as expedition medical officers. On an international note Per Akesson, from Sweden, David Wood, from USA, and Annabel Wood and Mark Lawrence from the UK Archaeological Diving Unit are all joining the team for the first time.
Creamware Surfaces: Many ceramic artefacts have been recovered from the Pandora. Freya Bruce, a member of the Maritime Archaeological Section at the Queensland Museum is currently researching a particular class of these artefacts known as creamware.
During the 1997 City of Townsville Expedition many intact pieces of creamware dinner service were recovered. Serving platters, dinners plates, bowls, a sauce-boat and even a soup tureen were excavated from the remains of shelves in the captain's storeroom. Traces of the their original packing material (sawdust) were also found. Unlike other examples of Pandora creamware, this dinner service shows no scratches on the glaze. This suggest they were not intended for every day use and may have been spares or used for formal occasions only.
Creamware was given its name because of the colour of the glaze and the clay. In late 18th century Britain approximately 100 potteries were employed in the manufacture of creamware; the most famous being Josiah Wedgewood's. While there are no maker's marks on this Royal Pattern creamware, current research using 18th century ceramic catalogues may be able to identify theses examples as Wedgewood. Microscopic analysis of the clay is also being performed in an attempt to identify clay type.
Freya Bruce
Queensland Museum
Foundry Marks Emerges
A famous saying in maritime archaeological excavation is that for every month of shipwreck excavation, at least six months of conservation work is created. David Hallam, Head of Queensland Museum's Conservation Section discusses current Pandora artefact treatments and future expedition plans.
As 1997 draws to a close, the collection of creamware ceramics recovered from this years work on the Pandora wrecksite have almost completed the conservation process. Material analysis of the glaze and clay revealed a high lead content. The black staining on the wine glasses and tumblers has also been removed. Analysis of the stain by Dr Frost and students from the Queensland University of Technology has indicated that the stain is lead - possible from the lining of the gunpowder magazine adjacent to the storeroom.
Treatment continues on one of the pump valves retrieved from midships and separation of the fused pieces revealed a stamped foundry mark 'Lambeth and Co'.
The Polynesian Clubs which were retrieved during the 1996 expedition are still undergoing their long term treatment in various wax solutions. This process is expected to be completed by 1999 in time for display at the permanent Pandora Expedition being planned for the new wing of the Museum of Tropical Queensland (MTQ) in Townsville.
David Hallam
All articles taken from Pandora's Post Box #4
Editors Peter Gesner & Janet Campbell
Maritime Archaeology Section
Queensland Museum
South Australia
State Heritage
Shipwreck Declarations: Three additional shipwrecks have been declared historic under the Commonwealth and South Australian Historic Shipwrecks Acts recently.
The Portland Maru, a screw steamer of 5865 tons, built in Kobe, Japan in 1919 was wrecked off the northern coast of Kangaroo Island in 1935. The wrecksite consisting of the vessel's collapsed hull, the triple expansion steam engine and the two large Scotch boilers is in 15 metres of water and provides an impressive site for divers - particularly in association with the Kangaroo Island marine life. The site is covered by the (Commonweal>
Transfer interrupted!
I> 1976.The other two sites, the Sultana and the Glenpark have been declared under the (South Australian) Historic Shipwrecks Act 1981. The Sultana was a three masted, wooden ship of 374 tons, that was carrying a general cargo to Port Adelaide from London, when it ran onto the reef around Troubridge island, at the entrance to Gulf St Vincent in 1849. The Glenpark was a three masted steel ship of 1959 tons that was sailing out of Spencers Gulf, bound for South Africa with over 28,000 bags of wheat when it ran onto rocks near Wedge Island in 1901. Both of these sites were located by the maritime heritage section using a magnetometer, and with the assistance of local enthusiasts, Chris Johnson of Edithburg and Stuart Moody of Maitland.
Regional Survey Reports: The fourth and fifth survey of shipwrecks for the different regions of South Australia have been published. They are Shipwrecks of Investigators Strait and the Lower Yorke Peninsula and Shipwrecks of Encounter Bay and Backstairs Passage. Authors are Cos Coroneos and Rob McKinnon - they have done a very good job in providing information on 54 shipwrecks located in these regions. Thanks also go to Myra Stanbury and Jeremy Green for their efforts in editing, layout and liaison with the printers.
Fides Historic Shipwrecks travelling exhibition: Visions of Australia has awarded the State Heritage Branch a grant of $37,500 to develop an exhibition on the Finnish vessel Fides, wrecked off the north coast of Kangaroo Island in 1860. The small exhibition will hopefully tour Australia in 1998/99 before it is taken to Finland where three Finnish Museums are interested in housing the exhibition. The home port for the Fides and the crew of the vessel is Kristinestad in Finland which is celebrating its 350th anniversary in 1999 and we plan to have the exhibition there at the time. It is planned to leave the exhibition in Finland at the end of the touring.
AIMA/NAS Training: Terry Arnott and myself combined with Mark Staniforth to conduct the first course in South Australia (conducted over a weekend). A total of thirteen students participated; some 'older' divers; some 'new' divers; and some that did not dive. A (half day) pool session with diving instructor Judi Francis was part of the course (and well received). The feedback from the course participants was encouraging and provided some useful hints for the next course scheduled for the 21 and 22 March 1998. One of the course participants has written a short article for Dive Log Australia which should be published early in the new year.
New Department Name: The government department housing the maritime heritage section of the State Heritage Branch has changed its name again, following a recent State election. It is now called the Department of Environment, Heritage, and Aboriginal Affairs (DEHAA). Everything else (address, phone, fax, etc) remains the same, although I am now on a PC computer and I have a new email address; bjeffery@denr.sa.gov.au
Bill Jeffery
State Heritage Branch
GPO Box 1047
Adelaide SA 5001
Ph: (08) 8204 9311 Fax: (08) 8204 9455
Flinders University.
Mark Staniforth and a small team of students and staff from Flinders are conducting site survey and recording on whaling station sites on Eyre Peninsula (7 - 14 November 1997) and Kangaroo Island (17-23 November 1997). A small group from Flinders will be involved in excavation work on the Kelly and Lucas Whaling Station Site at Adventure Bay on Bruny Island, Tasmania for three weeks in December.
Nathan Richards has completed his Honours thesis The history and archaeology of the Garden Island ship's graveyard, North Arm of the Port Adelaide River, Port Adelaide, South Australia.
South Australia ran the first AIMA/NAS Part One Training program on the weekend of 1 & 2 November. There were 13 participants and the course included a practical session held in a local pool under the supervision of diving instructor Judi Francis. It seemed to go very well and the feedback from the participants has been positive.
NAS certificates have arrived from the United Kingdom and are available by contacting Mark Staniforth. The schedule for AIMA/NAS Training includes Part 1 courses in Victoria and Tasmania before Christmas.
Further information on courses is available from Mark Staniforth, Senior NAS Tutor.
Lecturer in Historical and Maritime Archaeology, School of Cultural Studies
Flinders University of SA
GPO Box 2100, Adelaide SA 5001
phone + 61 8 8201 5195
fax + 61 8 8201 3845
Mark.Staniforth@flinders.edu.au
See Archaeology at Flinders on our website at http://cmetwww.cc.flinders.edu.au/Archaeology/Home_Page.html
The Archaeology of Whaling in Southern Australia. Conference July 1997, La Trobe University, Victoria: La Trobe University was the host of the first Archaeology of Whaling in Southern Australia (AWSA) conference on July 14 and 15 1997. The conference was organised by Dr Susan Lawrence from la Trobe's School of Archaeological and Historical Studies and Mark Staniforth from Archaeology in the School of Cultural Studies at the Flinders University of South Australia. There were 35 delegates present, from working archaeologists to aspiring archaeologists (a.k.a. students) representing universities, government departments, museums and private consulting agencies in Australia and New Zealand.
The two-day conference covered topics ranging from site surveys and historical documentary evidence to museum exhibits. The first session on Monday morning consisted of regional overviews of whaling research. Papers were given by Mike Nash from the Parks and Wildlife Service, Tasmania, Denis Gojak from the National Parks and Wildlife Service New South Wales, Leah McKenzie from Heritage Victoria, Terry Arnott from the South Australia Heritage Branch and Nigel Prickett from the Auckland Museum.
The second session on Monday focussed on case studies. Dr Martin Gibbs from James Cook University presented a paper based on his Ph.D. research in Western Australia, Mark Staniforth discussed fieldwork undertaken on the west coast of South Australia and Jane Lennon from Jane Lennon and Associates talked about whaling at Wilson's Promontory, Victoria.
Monday evening saw the majority of the conference delegates gather at the new Heritage Victoria offices for the launch of their latest publication An Archaeological Survey of Sealing and Whaling Sites in Victoria by Karen Townrow, followed by the conference dinner in China Town.
Tuesday morning brought session three on thematic studies, headed by Dale Chatwin from the Australian Bureau of Statistics' paper on the demise of the British Southern Whale Fishery. Michael Pearson from Heritage Management Consultants interpreted shipping date, Parry Kostoglou from Forestry Tasmania saw 'whaling as a war' in Tasmania and Susan Lawrence took an ' integrated approach' to whaling archaeology. Tim Murray from La Trobe University gave some final remarks on the papers presented at the conference.
Session four on Tuesday afternoon was the AWSA Project Workshop where the delegates discussed the aims of AWSA including a national database on whaling sites and current or necessary research and ways in which all of this information could be presented to various audiences.
All up the conference was very interesting and it was pleasing to see delegates from such a wide variety of institutions. Best of luck to the AWSA Project in the future, I'm sure we'll be hearing more from them soon.
Cassandra Philippou
Archaeology Honours Student
Flinders University.
Victoria
Big plans for the City of Launceston
The historic shipwreck City of Launceston (1865) may be opened for access to recreational divers. A working group comprising Heritage Victoria staff, and members of the Historic Shipwrecks Advisory Committee (HSAC) has prepared a three year plan aimed at fully documenting the fragile wreck. The three year project includes a pre-disturbance survey, rescue archaeology to recover endangered artefacts and a test excavation at the site prior to it's opening to recreational divers under permit.
The first stage of the project, to be conducted during November this year will include the preparation of detailed site plans and extensive recording of the physical, chemical and biological environment on and around the wreck. Information gathered during this stage will be used o prepare a research design for the second stage ; a test excavation of the site to be conducted in 1998; The final stage to be conducted during 1999, will be aimed at establishing the excavated areas and preparing the wreck for its opening by recreational dive groups early in the year 2000.
Following representations to the Victorian government by members of the Maritime Archaeology Association of Victoria (MAAV) the Victoria Historic Shipwrecks Act (1981) was enacted in the state and the City of Launceston protected.
New Publications hot off the press!!
Wrecks on the Reef: A guide to the historic shipwrecks at Port Phillip Heads
Hot off the press is the latest publication from Heritage Victoria and the Heritage Council, Wrecks on the Reef - A guide to the historic shipwrecks at Port Phillip Heads. Based on historical research, maritime archaeological surveys and documentation of collections of shipwreck artefacts held by private custodians, this attractive publication focuses on the forty historic shipwrecks that are known to have been wrecked on Lonsdale and Nepean reefs which guard the treacherous entrance to Port Phillip Bay. Each wreck has a fascinating story to tell about Victoria's maritime past and gives an insight into life at sea, the hazards of seafaring, heroic rescues, trade and tragedy.
The book contains archival photos and paintings of the vessels, underwater sire plans and photography of the sites as they lie today. There are colour aerial photos of Point Lonsdale/Lonsdale Reef and Point Nepean/Nepean Reef with the locations of the wrecks pinpointed, interpretation of the reef's structure and underwater topography of the Rip, an explanation of the Rip and the tides, and brief histories of the Queenscliff Lifeboat service, the Port Phillip Pilot Service, wreckers and salvagers and Corsair Rock.
The 'Wrecks on the Reef' project is a collaboration between Heritage Victoria and recreational divers who have dived in this area for years and recovered artefacts from the Lonsdale and Nepean Reefs prior t the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976. Nearly all the significant artefacts recovered from this area are held in private collections. With the large number of historic shipwrecks in a relatively small area which is subject to wave action, sand movement and currents, the area is also a complex composite site and much remains to be identified and located. This book goes some way to documenting the wrecks and artefacts that have been recovered from this fascinating area which is rich in maritime history and offers fantastic diving and scenery.
Some of the wrecks included are those of the steamer Cheviot (1870 - 1887) which lost its propeller and was blown ashore with the worst loss of life at the Heads when 35 - 37 were battered to death on rocks or drowned on Point Nepean; the steamer Conside (1848 - 1852) which tragically followed the warning lights of the schooner Portland wrecked just an hour before on Lonsdale Reef, and was itself wrecked with the loss of fourteen lives; the RMS Australia (1892 - 1904) a grand P & O mail steamer which due to a pilot's defective eyesight brought on by a disease, wad the largest vessel to be wrecked at the Heads when it was run aground on Point Nepean Reef; the Petriana (1879 - 1903) which caused Victoria's first oil spill; and the wooden ship Sea (1847 - 1853) whose intoxicated captain attempted to head out in gale conditions ignoring the pilots warnings and was blown ashore at Point Nepean with the loss of his own life, 15 of his crew and that of one rescuer.
Wrecks on the Reef brings to life the crews, passengers, pilots, wreckers, salvors and rescuers involved in the wrecks as well as giving the technical details of the vessels and interpreting their underwater remains for divers and the public.
Wrecks on the Reef - A guide to the historic shipwrecks at Port Phillip Heads (Cost $19.91) is available from the Department of Infrastructure bookshop at:
Level 3 Concourse
Nauru House
80 Collins Street
MELBOURNE
THE LEGAL BRIEF
Appointment of Inspectors:
Heritage Act 1997
The proclamation of the Heritage Act last year brought the appointment of new inspectors to an abrupt halt. The Executive Director was of the view that these should be held in abeyance until new data cards were printed and a new Inspectors Handbook was published.
It is perhaps worth noting here that Members of the Police Force are inspectors as of course, and do not require specific appointment. In addition, Fisheries and Wildlife Officers and Rangers already appointed under the former Historic Shipwrecks Act 1981 are automatically inspectors under the new Act and have powers to investigate all relevant heritage offences, not just those involving shipwrecks. We are confident that they will find the new authorisation a particularly useful tool to help them protect terrestrial archaeological sites, especially those located within the parks system.
New Heritage Act data cards are now being distributed through DNRE Enforcement Branch to officers whose nominations for the appointment under the State Act remain outstanding. These data cards are completed with each nominee's details and presigned by the Executive Director. They are designed for use with the DNRE polaroid photographic ID system and can therefore be processed locally in the usual way by Area administrative personnel.
The Heritage Inspector's Handbook is with the publishers and will be available for distribution shortly. It provides a guide to the protection processes in the legislation and summarises the key provisions relating to offences, powers, evidence and proceedings. Limited hard copies of the Victorian Heritage Register are also available free of charge to inspectors upon request.
We hope all inspectors will find the handbook a useful field reference and welcome your constructive feedback on its content and presentation.
Address Change:. The new address is
Maritime Heritage Victoria
Nauru House
Level 22, 80 Collins Street
Melbourne, Victoria 3000
Ph (03) 9655 9752
Fax: (03) 9655 9720
Email change: Please note the following email address changes for the troops from Heritage Victoria re change from "@dpd.vic.gov.au" to "@doi.vic.gov.au"
Peter.Harvey@doi.vic.gov.au
Ken.Gurney@doi.vic.gov.au
Ross.Anderson@doi.vic.gov.au
Maritime Archaeology Association of Victoria.
Henrietta Hunt
I would like to say that the Henrietta has been found, I would like to, but I would be lying through my eye teeth. Two mixed up crazy divers conducted another search for the above mentioned wreck on Sunday the 14th of September. We met at Altona boat ramp for an 8 o'clock start only to be confronted with drizzling rain and fog. A person could get wet in those conditions.
The boat was quickly launched and we headed in a S.W. direction as Pt. Cook could not be seen. Travelling out from Altona and across the Bay the water looked very clear and inviting until we arrived at the Point, at this instance the water turned green and all out enthusiasm went out the window, I located the shallow reef we would be using as our inner mark and buoyed this, we then ran out to a position I had plotted on the chart with the aid of a few beers the night before. I have been plotting each trip onto a chart with the use of a G.P.S. so that we know where we have searched and so we know where it isn't.
The plan, and this can be a very loose term, was to swim towards a white marker on the Point until we hit about two metres of water, we would the head south-east for the buoy then back to the boat on a triangular search pattern, and with a fair wind and a following sea, got to have a sea metaphor in a sea story, we would find our quarry. Of all great plans of mice and men, Wow two metaphors in one paragraph.
John Munro was quickly in the water, there could be no escape for me now so I had to follow him in. The viz was about three metres and the water temperature was a mild eleven degrees, not too bad really. What can I say about the diving at Point Cook that hasn't been written already, boring springs to mind, boring rocks, boring sponges, boring abalone, boring starfish, boring parasites that night attach themselves to any of these, but no wreck as yet.
We swam on our first bearing, nothing, we swam on our second bearing to the buoy, nothing, we swam to our third bearing, something, a small piece of muntz metal about 18 x 5 cm. 20 metres south of the boat. John and I search around this area for a while without success, there however was much more of the same, nothing.
As our air was getting low and my fingers were refusing to work we headed back to the boat for a thermos of hot coffee.
The next time we head out again, yipee, we will have a new starting point. So the hunt continues, I'll see you out there.
Peter Taylor
CORIO BAY INSPECTIONS
With clear sunny skies and Corio Bay a giant mill pond, conditions on Sunday 13 July were perfect for an ambitious program of sit inspectors at Geelong. Jim Anderson provided much of the local knowledge necessary to find the sites, in cooperation with Lyall Mills, who also piloted his Stacer, and Malcolm Venturoni, who was his usual informative self. Peter Charlesworth, Tony Gregory, John Hargreaves, Russel Stewart and Peter Taylor completed the crew. We launched the boat at North Geelong, below the historic walls of Osbourne House. As we made our way up the Hopetoun Channel, past work boats engaged in deepening the channel, a battle for the most accurate foxes on G.P.S. units began.
Our first dive was on the remains of the Anieura (ex Oronite), which lies on a reef in three to four metres of water off Point Lillias. She was a four masted wooden schooner built in California in 1918, of 1625 gross tons, measuring 236.5 x 42 x 26.95 feet, with an auxiliary diesel engine. After use by the Geelong Harbour Trust (G.H.T.) as a hulk, she was dismantled then burned at Avalon Beach, defiantly drifting then sinking at her final resting place. Much of the bottom structure of the vessel remains, with the keel, frames and planking in good condition throughout her length. Significant sections of the port side also remain, reaching up to within a metre of the surface in places. Superb visibility aided the divers in their examination.
Nearby, several bluestone moles herald the location of the Point Wilson Quarry, which provided stone for the fortress foundations that most of us know as Pope's Eye. Here, firmly aground at the most substantial mole and looking like they are awaiting sailing orders, lie two rusty hulks. The Edward Bechervaise (ex Wallaroo) was an iron hulled ladder bucket dredge, built in Scotland in 1878, of 420 gross tons. According to records she was not self propelled. Purchased in 1935 from South Australia, she worked for the G.H.T. before being dismantled and beached in 1956. Alongside id the Henry Meakin (ex Kharki), a steam hopper barge built in 1900 in the same yard as the Edward Bechervaise, measuring 139.9 x 28.1 x 10.15 feet. Bought from the Natal government in 1906, she worked as a tug before being converted to a hopper barge, and finally dismantled in 1946. Both these hulks are largely intact, but the process of corrosion is well advanced. Decks have fallen in, large holes dot the hull side and the bow of Edward Bechevaise has been cut away. The remains of the winching or lifting gear was found ashore.
Returning to Corio Bay from the outer harbour, we attempted to locate the remains of the City of Melbourne and the Britain, lying in shallow water off Point Henry. Only the former was located on the day. The City of Melbourne (ex Black Warrior) was a Black Ball Line clipper that caught fire and then sunk off Williamstown in 1868. After being raised, she was employed as a coal hulk, before being purchased by the Victorian Department of Defence for use as a block ship in time of war. In 1890, she was dismantled and floated to Point Henry for use as a landing for bay steamers taking passengers to the Bellarive Tea Gardens. After breaking her moorings and sinking, she was eventually blown up in 1895. MAAV members who participated in the wreck survey course several years ago will be familiar with the site. Little timber remains on the sandy bottom at four metres, but scattered iron knees betray the resting place of this fine ship.
Next on our list was the famous Lightning. Another Black Ball Line clipper, it was reputedly the fastest large vessel under sail ever constructed, having once covered a distance of 436 miles in a day. For a time she was commanded by the infamous Captain "Bully" Forbes. The Lightning lies in seven metres of water near the old Yarra Street Pier, on (or more accurately under) a muddy silty bottom, where she sunk after burning to the water line. During our inspection, visibility was virtually nil (normal conditions at the site), so the search for remains was largely a touchy feely session. Unlike the others, the author failed to find any sign of the vessel. Jim and Lyall, who are familiar with the site, report that much timber survives, mostly encased in the mud. An acquaintance of John Hergreaves claims that the outline of the Lightning was clearly visible from the air, as late as the mid sixties, when he flew over the site in a light aircraft.
John Hargreaves
P.S. KOOKABURRA
The Kookaburra came to life in 1911, nit as a steamer, but as a barge for Jack Diener. The barge was intended to carry stock, though Diener fitted it out as a shop for his hawking business on the river. The Flo D was the barge's name and was built at Goolwa by boat builder David Milne. The Barge was carvel built with composite framework. It's official registration number was 122735 at the port of Adelaide. The Flo D measured 100.9m x 16.7m x 4.6m and had a gross tonnage of 169.13 tons.
In March of 1917 the P.S. Merle which was also owned by Diener, was swamped and sank whilst crossing Lake Alexandrina. The vessel was raised and it's hawking days were over. The engine and boiler were removed from the P.S. Merle and it was sold as a barge .
The year of 1918 saw the barge Flo D lengthened to 141m and the engine (16 horsepower) and boiler from the P.S. Merle were installed. The engine was positioned at the stern between twin paddlewheels as a stern wheeler. It also has a tall single smoke stack. As this barge was now powered, it was renamed P.S. Kookaburra. As the P.S, Kookaburra the vessel now measured 141m x 16.7m x 4.2m and had a gross tonnage of 350.29 tons.
When Jack Dienre retired he handed the vessel over to his son, Tom, who took over the business of Hawking. In 1928 the family sold the P.S. Kookaburra.
In a photograph of 1956 it shows the P.S. Kookaburra, as other side wheel paddle steamers, having a more practical wheel house and configuration. It also shows that the paddle boxes have been moved more towards the centre. The P.S. Kookaburra survived up until the early 1960,s. In 1964 the vessel was taken to Nyah to become a floating cabaret. It was abandoned in 1965 and sank at its mooring (a tree). The registration of the P.S. Kookaburra was cancelled open the 27/5/1977.
Over the years the P.S. Kookaburra has slipped beneath the Murray River in a derelict state. At Nyah, a boat ramp and town drain run through the middle of the wrecksite. Very little of the stern remains as most of this would have been removed along with the boiler and paddlewheels when the construction of the boat ram took place. The deckhouse has completely collapsed into the wreck. However the stempost in still in position and iron frames with timber planking attached could be felt for about forty feet along the starboard side and sixty feet along the port side. Much wreckage is scattered across the middle of the wreck, but most of this could not be identified due to the lack of visibility and lack of time. Further work is planned on this site. Corrosion measurements were also taken of the wreck, the results of these will be published at a later date.
Tony Gregory
All articles from Wreckings (Aug - Nov, 1997)
Western Australian Maritime Museum
CofE not to take part in Pandora 1998: I have been advised by the Director of the Western Australian Maritime Museum, Andrew Reeve, that I will be required in February to take part in the planning for the new Western Australia Maritime Museum. As a result I'm unable to take part in the proposed Pandora Expedition where I had hoped to conduct a technical training programme for practitioners. AS AIMA members are probably aware the objective of this exercise was to deploy the sonar positioning system and the stereophotogrammetry system on the site and use the opportune to train people in its use. The Director has suggested that people come to Western Australia to take part in this training and I have been asked to seek expressions of interest in this program.
As far as I can see the position fixing system will not be ready until just before the Pandora, it was intended that it be tested on the site. It seems therefore that the best solution would be to look at several different positions since my involvement in the new Museum is unlikely to last much later than April/May.
Option One: Late Summer 1997/98
Options Two: AIMA Conference
Option Three: Early summer 1998
The problem with the AIMA Conference is that it will be in Darwin (not the best place for seeing things underwater, especially crocs)
I'm open to suggestions from Practitioners.
By the third quarter of next year the CofE should have two new pieces of equipment that could be incorporated into a technical workshop. These are the PC sonar and the PC based magnetometer. Also the Cof E have quite a bit of expertise with the ArcView GIS system in integrating magnetometer, side scan sonar and site mapping.
Jeremy Green
jeremy.green@museum.wa.gov.au
News from the Internet
New discoveries in the harbour of the Viking Age trading centre Hedeby/Haithabu in Schleswig, Northern Germany. From Subarch
In the period from 11./4.-3./5. 1997 verification of the structures
recorded during seismic survey in 1996 was attempted with divers from the Christian Albrechts University in Kiel. A new and very detailed interpretation of the recorded data, made in February, was the basis for the investigation. All structures were verified and the interpretations appeared to be correct. The situation: On the western side of the Haithabu Nor (inlet) is the half-circular rampart, 640 m in diameter, protecting the 10th century phase of the settlement. During a diving investigation in 1953, parts of a 260 m long and NW-SE orientated palisade' reaching land 100 m south of the northern rampart, was observed. It consisted of large amounts of poles. Smaller concentrations of poles near land north of the southern rampart were observed, close to the northernmost end of this supposed structure was found the wreck of a Viking ship.
In 1978-81 a geophysical survey was carried out in the harbour area with a 5 kHz Pinger system under the direction of Dr. Harald Stümpel. What appears to be pieces of the northern palisade were located again, but in positions indicating that it might be connected directly to the northern rampart. Excavation of the area between land and wreck 2 by
means of sheet piling, under the direction of Ole Crumlin-Petersen, revealed in the same period the remains of 4 partly overlapping
landing piers. In 1996 a survey with a new acoustic penetration system, CAP 6600 produced by Datasonics, was carried out as a collaboration between Dr Ole Gron, Centre for Maritime Archaeology, The Danish
National Museum, Dr. Gerd Hoffmann, GEOMAR, Kiel, Archäologisches
Landesmuseum der CAU, Schleswig, Institut für Ur- und Frühgeschichte, Kiel, and the Geological Institute, Århus University. This survey revealed 18 structures parallel to the 4 landing piers already excavated. These structures seemed protected by two more than 200 m long structures, one apparently continuing to the north from the southern end of the circular rampart, the other running more or less E-W from a point 200 m south of the end of the northern rampart, and thus not connected to it. SE of the end of the southern rampart was a structure interpreted as a hitherto unknown wreck, measuring 20 by 5 metres. The already known wreck 3, a bit to the north of the end of the southern rampart was also observed in the profiles. The 1997 verification was carried out in the regis of the Archäologisches Landesmuseum der CAU, Schleswig, GEOMAR, Kiel, and Institut für Ur- und Frühgeschichte, Kiel. The two 200 m long structures were demonstrated to be dense pole palisades, apparently piers protecting the harbour. Testing in selected areas along the shore between them, made it clear that the area was filled with posts concentrating in zones perpendicular to the shore, no doubt landing piers. The series of smaller pole concentrations observed north of the southern rampart in 1953 must be the ends of these structures. The 'new' wreck seems to be a flat bottomed and carvel built, barge, probably not Viking Age. No datings of the structures have been obtained yet, but the layout
indicates that we deal with an intact harbour with at least 22 landing piers of which some overlap due to different chronological positions.
A preliminary plan of the structure can be obtained as attachment on > the e-mail address <ole.gron@nikuosl.ninaniku.no>
Ole Gron
Gerd Hoffmann
NIKU (Norsk Institutt for Kulturforskning) GEOMAR - Forschungszentrum fur Marine
phone: (+45) 2294 0332
phone: (+49) 4318803176
fax: (+45) 2294 0301
fax: (+49) 4318807300
e-mail: ole.gron@nikuosl.ninaniku.no >
Wreckage Resembles Blackbeard Ship From The Associated Press 12/10/97 BEAUFORT, N.C. (AP) via ACRA-L:
Archaeologists studying wreckage found
about two miles offshore say signs continue to suggest they may have found Queen Anne's Revenge, the flagship of the pirate Blackbeard. ``We don't expect to find treasure. But we've already found
numerous artefacts,'' said Fay Mitchell Henderson of the state Department of Cultural Resources. ``We're hoping to be able to definitively say that this boat belonged to Blackbeard.'' Underwater archaeologists began a month-long exploration of the
site Oct. 3. They soon plan to begin raising artefacts from the site. Divers have discovered nine cannons at the wreck site about 20
feet below the sea's surface. When Blackbeard was captain of the Queen Anne's Revenge, it carried 40 cannons. Researchers say that if the wreck is not of the flagship, it could be one of two other similar ships in Blackbeard's fleet or a small Spanish sloop tender. Blackbeard, the nickname of Edward Teach, commanded four vessels and 300 pirates in his prime, and his flagship carried a crew of 125. His reign on the seas climaxed in May 1718 when his crew blockaded Charleston, S.C., for more than a week. On his way back up the coast the next month, the Queen Anne'sRevenge ran aground and sank. He died during a battle six months later. Divers from a Florida-based research group spotted the remains last November while searching for a Spanish treasure ship. State archaeologists announced the find in March - giving it an 80 to 90 percent chance of being the pirate's ship.
Possible Spanish wreck found off St. Augustine From News-East Coast Edition @ 10/15/97 via Chuck Ellenbaum on Subarch:
A long-submerged vessel discovered off Florida's coast likely was a Spanish colonial merchant ship wrecked 300 years ago while travelling from Cuba, archaeologists said Wednesday. A team of divers from the non-profit Southern Oceans Archaeological Research group discovered the ship, which had not yet been identified by name, in September about a half-mile off the city of St. Augustine. If the wreck proves to be a Spanish ship, it could mark the first time such a vessel has been discovered this far north on Florida's east coast. Full text story, http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=5446243-65d
Platter, jar fragments found at Blackbeard site From News - West Coast Edition @ 10/21/97 via Chuck Ellenbaum and Subarch:
Divers have recovered a plate, a platter and pieces of earthenware storage jars and are about to raise cannons from an 18th-century shipwreck believed to be the flagship of the English pirate Blackbeard. After using an array of high-tech gear to map the wreck site last week, a team of marine archaeologists and divers began pulling artefacts from the sea floor this week about two miles off the North Carolina coast at Beaufort Inlet, where Blackbeard's ship Queen Anne's Revenge went down in 1718. The month-long expedition began Oct. 3. See
http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=5548046-2a8
Cannon barrels hoisted from Blackbeard site: From FYI from News-Morning Edition @ 10/23/97 via subarch
Two cannon barrels believed to be from the flagship of the pirate Blackbeard surfaced Wednesday for the first time since 1718, carried from the ocean floor by divers. Archaeologists used air bags to lift one 8-foot barrel from the shipwreck believed to be Blackbeard's Queen Anne's Revenge. They moved it away from the wreck site before hoisting it on a 90-foot research vessel waiting at the surface. Complications forced the eight-member dive team to forgo using air bags with the other 3,500-pound barrel. They brought it up using a winch and crane. The cannon barrels were encrusted with coral, sand and broken shells. For story
http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=5566612-af0
From Subarch - John Purtell. Project Diana - Roman Ship Reconstruction Project
Web site http://www.virtual-pc.com/orontes/index.html
The project to rebuild one of Caligula's ships at Lake Nemi has come very much nearer becoming fact in recent months though only now can we put out some of the news.
1. First development. The ENI Group has carried an entire article in its company magazine on Project Diana - make of that what you will at this point. Who is ENI? You may be more familiar with the name of one of its smaller holdings - AGIP. ENI has the biggest capitalisation and share distribution of any Italian company. This article will be put on to the project web page in the coming days.
2. Moves are in progress to create a composite body for the purpose of building the ship. Included in this body will be one of the most prominent cultural organisations in Italy. To ensure "trasparenza" as it is called here, all financial transactions will be completely administered by an internationally known bank and will provide guarantees to potential sponsors that the financial affairs are completely in order. Dianae Lacus, who will be in this new body, will not in any way administer the funds, and will occupy itself only with the operational aspects of reaching the objective ie the finished ship. The confederation of industry will be represented also in this body and will exploit the possibilities of employment and training which will be presented within the context of the project.
3. This aforementioned structure which will be the first example of major collaboration between industry and culture in a project of this scale may provide a pattern for an analogous project in Sicily, to build a 7th cent. B.C. Greek merchant ship.
4. The shipyards involved in the project, Sangermani and Torre del Greco, have decided to start the construction even in advance of funding. Thus the first 12 metres of the bow section should start in January and be ready for transport (by helicopter) up to Nemi by Easter 98. This undoubtedly will be a spectacular event and obviously will be exploited to the full by the international media.
TREASURE HUNTERS MUST PAY from
Associated Press as reported in the Florida Arial Union on 01/08/97 via Chuck Meide
cmeide@juno.com: MIAMI - A dozen years after Mel Fisher and his son found a mother lode of gold, silver, and gems on a sunken Spanish galleon, a federal judge ruled
the treasure hunters must pay for ruining irreplaceable sea grasses off the
Florida Keys.
The treasure hunters were found liable for destroying more than an acre of
protected sea grass beds off the Middle Keys in 1992 while searching for galleons lost in the hurricane of 1733.
The ruling was the first enforcement action in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to go to trial. The sanctuary was created in 1990 to protect 2,800 nautical square miles of water surrounding the Keys.
U.S. District Judge Edward B. Davis ruled Wednesday that Kane Fisher and Salvors Inc. must pay $589,331 to restore the sea grass. They also will have to hand over an iron anchor, silver forks and plates, silver coins, bronze medallions and other artefacts.
Kane Fisher, 39, was hunting treasure off Florida's Treasure Coast yesterday and unavailable to comment.
But the 74-year-old Mel Fisher, who is president of Salvors Inc., said such
rulings would be the death knell of his profession. He was dropped from the government action in May because he was undergoing chemotherapy.
"This will make it very difficult to treasure hunt in the sanctuary," Fisher said. "This just put them all out of business."
The family's attorneys argued many other companies were searching in the area at the time and the sea grasses suffered no permanent damage. The area in question was a spot known as Coffins Patch, about 3 miles off Marathon, one of the larger of dozens of islands that drop down from the Florida Peninsula in a westward arc.
Salvors was using a Mel Fisher innovation called mailboxes, elbow-shaped metal tubes that propel water from the boat propellers to uncover booty long hidden by the shifting sands. The judge found Fisher's operations were responsible for hundreds of "blow holes."
Sanctuary officials disagreed with the Fishers' contention that the blow holes, averaging 20 feet to 30 feet wide and 3 feet to 5 feet deep will recover naturally. "Recent surveys show there has been no significant recovery of sea grass areas," said George Schmahl, the sanctuary's manager in the Lower Keys.
The azure waters off the Keys are heavily used by anglers and recreational boaters already, factors leading to the creation of the sanctuary. Michael Barnes, attorney for the Fishers, said the judge apparently didn't recognise his clients had any pre-existing rights because of their longstanding work in the Keys. He said the family is considering an appeal.
International and Miscellaneous News
Society of Historical Archaeology is on Internet with all relevant information for membership, conference schedule, etc. Just go to http://www.sha.org For your information, our Conference on Historical and Underwater Archaeology is in Atlanta, Georgia, January 7 - 10, 1998, and is hosted by TRC Garrow Associates Inc., New South Associates, and Georgia State University. You may also e-mail the SHA at sha@azstarnet.com, or call (520) 886-8006; Fax (520) 886-0182)
Ancient mariners' shipwrecks revealed By Tim Friend USA Today 31/7/97. WASHINGTON - The explorer who found the Titanic said Wednesday that he has discovered a trove of ancient Roman ships and thousands of pristine artefacts at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea. The archaeological expedition led by oceanographer Robert Ballard is the first conducted in deep waters and demonstrates for the first time, scientists' remarkable ability to recover pieces of ancient history from the deep ocean floor.
Until now, no major ancient shipwreck has been discovered below 200 feet. The technologies used by Ballard's group can reach depths of 20,000 feet, deep enough to reach 98% of the oceans' floors. I'm convinced that the deep sea holds a vast amount of human history, more than is held in all of the museums of the world, Ballard said here at the National Geographic Society. Equipped with the U.S. Navy nuclear submarine NR-1, the support ship Carolyn Chouest and the unmanned, submersible
robot vessel Jason, Ballard's team scouted the ocean bottom in May and June between Rome and Tunis (ancient Carthage) in North Africa. About 100 miles off the coast of Carthage, the team found five Roman ships dating from 200 B.C. to 400 A.D., an Islamic fishing vessel from the 17th or 18th century and two ships from the 19th century. The oldest Roman ship, which was 100 feet long, carried long ceramic jars with pointed bases called amphora's. They were used to transport wine, oil, fish sauce and fruit preserves. Hundreds of kitchen and household items and bronze vessels were strewn about the ship on the ocean floor at depths of nearly 2,500 feet. A second ship from the time of Christ carried pre-cut Roman columns and giant cut blocks of either granite or marble; pre-fab Roman buildings; says Ballard. In all, more than 100 artefacts were recovered from the shipwrecks.
This area of deep sea was chosen because the shortest distance for ships bound between North Africa and Rome was across the rough and unpredictable blue water. Most ancient merchant ships preferred to hug the coastline, but Ballard believed that some might have risked the shorter, direct route.
Most historians did not think the ancient mariners made that direct
route; says Ballard, founder of the Institute for Exploration in Mystic, Conn. The purpose of this expedition was to go out and find that ancient mariner, the risk-taker, the entrepreneur who would take the shortest route. Ballard bet that some risk-takers lost to Poseidon - Greek god of the sea - and sunk, their ships intact, to the dark sea floor. At the still bottom, artefacts would remain unbroken and out of reach of looters.
This is a remarkable discovery says Jim Stewart, a pioneer of SCUBA and ocean exploration at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, Calif. We stand today in the ocean probably where Lewis and Clark did when they jumped across the Mississippi. Now with the new sophistication of equipment we're just starting to learn about the oceans.
In early May, the NR-1 dove into the Mediterranean and took the lead
with a radar system capable of extending down thousands of feet; the support ship followed above. As blips appeared on the NR-1's radar screen, it began discovering shipwrecks at a rate of one every two days. We finally had to say stop. Enough, Ballard says. We were finding more ships than we could possibly handle.
After the NR-1 located a wreck, the support ship maintained its position over it while team members from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, aboard the ship, sent the Jason with its radar and cameras down to the site. First, scanning sonar was used to build a three-dimensional map of the wreck site in very fine one-inch resolution, says co-principal investigator Dana Yoerger of Woods Hole. His team was responsible for operating Jason. "We did the mapping in one hour, and this is the finest detailed map ever made of the ocean floor, Yoerger says. Next, with Jason on autopilot moving very slowly at one-inch per second, it photographed the wreckage and artefacts with the electronic camera. The images were stitched together by computer into a high-resolution picture of the entire wreck. Lastly, Jason's pilots at the surface manoeuvred the robot arm to recover only those artefacts necessary for dating the wrecks. Removing artefacts in essence destroys the site. In the future we can have in situ deep ocean museums that we can visit electronically, says Ballard. The artefacts were placed into mesh containers dropped down on weights. After Jason secured the artefacts, the weights were released and the containers floated to the top.
Along the route that Ballard predicted would be littered with shipwrecks, the submarine found a 20-square-mile area of the ocean floor strewn with artefacts. By comparison, the Titanic and the German battleship Bismarck each were found with debris spread over only a half mile. The reason for the cluster of wrecks is that this region of the Mediterranean Sea is similar to the Bermuda Triangle of the Caribbean. Unpredictable violent storms and rough seas are the norm year round.
The Mediterranean floor, which averages 9,000 feet deep and is 20,000 feet deep off the coast of Greece, probably hides hundreds more shipwrecks, says chief archaeologist Anna Marguerite McCann of Boston University. McCann says the oldest of the Roman ships may have carried 100 passengers on its wooden deck. It was deep-bellied to hold hundreds of amphora's of eight different types. The ship also probably was square-rigged with linen sails and had lines like those used on venetian blinds to furl and unfurl its sails. Over the last 2,000 years, wood bores (a type of sea worm) ate the ships down to the mud line. But below the sediment lies the remainder of their hulls and countless more artefacts. Among McCann's favourites: an 18-inch-long ceramic roasting pan shaped like an old-fashioned bathtub.
The expedition was funded in part by the National Geographic Society, Woods Hole, the U.S Navy's Office of Naval Research and Office of Deep Submergence Systems, the J.P. Kaplan Fund, Sun-Star Electric Inc. and private donors. The Navy donated its vessels for the crew's experience. Ballard says the group next will tackle the bottom of the Black Sea, which is devoid of oxygen. That means any wrecks on the bottom should be intact and safe from the wood bores.
Says George Bass, the pioneer of ocean archaeology and head of the Institute of Nautical Archaeology, Texas A& M University, College Station: Ballard has shown it is possible to find deep wrecks and (that there is a) surprisingly large number. The artefacts from the deep ocean also are in superb condition, just as if they fell to the sea floor yesterday.
Historical Archaeology (ASHA). ASHA founded in 1970 encourages archaeological research on historical sites, buildings, artefacts and relics by historical research, survey, recording, excavation and analysis and the publication of results of such research. The wide range of historical archaeology in Australia is reflected in ASHA's publications Studies in Historical Archaeology, Australasian Historical Archaeology and the quarterly Newsletter. Membership is open to both amateur and professional levels of archaeology. Subscriptions are as follows: Individual membership (per annum) $25.00. Corporate membership (per annum) $30.00.
For further information please contact
The Secretary
Australasian Society of Historical Archaeology, Box 220
Holme Building
University of Sydney, NSW 2006.
Grants and funding
Australia Council Grants. The Council provides grant money for many cultural activities. For comprehensive details of the Australia Council's grants and application procedures please see the Australian Council for the Arts Grants Handbook 1997. Available from the Australia Council on (02) 9950 9000
The Getty Grant Program of Santa Monica, California. has awarded a grant to the University of Canberra to establish a post graduate internship program. It funds graduates from the Conservation of Cultural Materials program to complete a one- year internship at a recognised conservation laboratory in Australia or overseas. Persons eligible are graduates who completed their studies in 1995 - 96. Approximately AUD $20,000 for one year. Contact Professor Colin Pearson, Director, NCCHSS, University of Canberra, PO Box 1, Belconnen, ACT, 2616. Ph (06) 201 2368.
The One Stop Arts Shop: Launched by the Federal Government in August the aim of this site is to provide a single access point to all possible avenues of support available for people in the cultural sector. It brings together information on the wide array of cultural grants, support programs and industry development programs offered by all levels of government and their agencies as well as the assistance available through corporations, foundations and non-government bodies. The One Stop Art Shop can be accessed through the website www.artsinfo.com.au or by a free telephone service 1800 241 247. (From Museum Matters)
George Alexander Foundation & Ian Potter Foundation - Value up to $100,000. Awarded to Australian organisations for projects in areas including arts, fellowships, travel, grants and research. Closing dates mid April; mid July. Contact Executive Secretary, George Alexander Foundation and Ian Potter Foundation, Level 5, 1 Collins St, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Ph (03) 9650 3188.
Fellowships: From National Maritime Museum, Head of Research, Greenwich, SE10 9NF, England the following information on Fellowships:
Sackler Research Fellowship in the History of Astronomy and Navigational Sciences, 12,500 pounds p.a., tenable two years.
Caird Senior Fellowship - 17th century Dutch maritime paintings - medals - 18th century prints, 12,500 pounds p.a, tenable one year.
Caird Junior Research Fellowship in (British) Naval and Maritime History and Associated Studies, 8,500 p.a, tenable one year.
British Council: Travel Grant Scheme; Academic Link and Interchange Scheme (ALIS); Visitors Scheme; Post Graduate Bursaries; and for a listing of their international courses and seminars contact PO Box 88, Edgecliff NSW 2027. Ph (02) 326 2022, Fax: (02) 327 4868
United States Cultural and Academic Specialist Grants: Awarded to American specialists to spend two to six weeks at an Australian museum or gallery to work on specific projects or work as consultants. Available on a shared cost basis with USIS (United States Information Service) Contact: Noeline R. Milson, USIS, Ph (06) 270 5966, Fax: (06) 273 3051.
New Books, Publication and Video's
Excavating Ships of War Vol II, International Maritime Series. Edited Mensun Bound, Oxford University MARE. 210 pages, fully illustrated, black and white photographs, line drawings. Second publication based on the two - day conference The Archaeology of Ships of War, that was held at Greenwich in 1992. Papers have been expanded to include others solicited by the editor. They focus of specific surveys and excavations, many of which are ongoing. The papers include ones by Myra Stanbury (The Sirius: Norfolk Island, Australia, 1790) and Peter Gesner (The Pandora, Queensland, Australia, 1797). Release date January 1998. Further information from Anthony Nelson Publishers, PO Box 9, Oswestry, Shropshire, England, SY11 1BY.
British Museum Encyclopaedia of Underwater and Maritime Archaeology. Edited James P Delgardo, 120 colour, 300 black and white illustrations. British Museum Encyclopaedia of Underwater and Maritime Archaeology is the first comprehensive reference book on the discovery and recovery of the submerged past. Written by an international team of over 180 expert contributors (including Peter Gesner, Jeremy Green, Graham Henderson, Bill Jeffery, Mike Nash and Mark Staniforth), the Encyclopaedia contains over 450 entries, covering all aspects of underwater and maritime archaeology, from prehistory to the modern era and will be an invaluable resource for students, historians, archaeologists, professional and recreational divers.
The Editor who well know to many AIMA members, is Executive Director of the Vancouver Maritime Museum in Canada.
For further information please contact British Museum Press, 46 Bloomsbury Street, London,, England, WC1B 3QQ.
From trees to seas: The Lady Denman Heritage Complex at Huskisson, New South Wales has just released a video featuring the boatbuilder Mr Alf Settree and the shipbuilding industry at Jervis Bay (NSW) from 1862. Mr Settree talks about shipbuilding tools, demonstrates techniques and describes construction of workframe wooden boats. The video costs $25.00 and can be ordered from the Lady Denman Heritage Complex, PO Box 123, Huskisson, NSW, 2540.
NAS: Nautical Archaeology Society and International Journal of Nautical Archaeology offer a special joint membership/subscription rate to professional and avocational maritime researchers. Join NAS and receive both NAS Newsletter and IJNA for $US60. Contact Membership Secretary, 206 Moorview Way, Skipton, N Yorks, BD23 2TN, England
Scientific Diving : A General Code of Practise: Diving Books, the Worlds Largest Publisher of Diving Books has announced the release of the second edition of this popular text.
The Code of Practise for Scientific Diving was first published in 1988 as Vol 53 of the series UNESCO Technical Papers in Marine Science. The first edition attracted input from 100 scientific divers in more than 30 countries. The Second Edition has been prepared and edited by the Scientific Committee of the World Underwater Federation (CMAS) for UNESCO. Edited by N.C. Flemming and M.D. Max.
Priced at US39.95 the publication is available from Best Publishing Co, P.O. Box 30100, Flagstaff, AZ, USA 86003 - 0100.
Ph: (520) 527-1055
Fax: (520) 526-0370
Credit card orders accepted.
Forthcoming Conferences
NASOH The North American Society of Oceanic History will hold its annual conference 9 - 12 April 1998 in San Diego, California. For More Information please contact William Dudley, Naval Historical Centre, Washington Naval Yard, Building 57, Washington, DC, USA, 20013-7127
World Archaeological Congress 4 in conjunction with an Organising Committee here in Cape Town. This congress will take place on the campus of the University of Cape Town from 10 - 14 January 1999.
For further information please contact
CAROLYN ACKERMANN
CONFERENCE CO-ORDINATOR
GLOBAL CONFERENCES
Tel.: +27 (21) 762-8600
Fax: +27 (21) 762-8606
email: carolyn@globalconf.co.za or wac4@globalconf.co.za
Visit the website for WAC4 on http://www.uct.ac.za/depts/age/wac
International Council of Museums. In partnership with ICOM, Museums Australia is to host the next International Council of Museums Conference in Melbourne, Victoria in 1998. So far the Commonwealth Government has promised $100,000 to the event and the Victorian State Government a further $250,000. For further information please contact Anthea Hancock at the Museum of Victoria (03) 9651 6783
Further Studies and Internships
MARITIME ARCHAEOLOGY TECHNIQUES COURSE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I AT MANOA
The Marine Option Program at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa will offer a maritime archaeology techniques course during the summer of 1998, June 15 -- July 17. The graduate level course (OEST/ANTH 668, 6 credits) includes lectures, field trips, and an underwater training project in archaeological surveying techniques. Participants in the course must qualify as University of Hawai'i scientific divers under guidelines established by the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) in order to participate in course related scuba diving activities. Non-divers may be considered on a space-available basis. Undergraduates are encouraged to apply and will be accepted with the consent of the instructor.
The field course (plans subject to change) will commence on Oahu, then move to the island of Hawai'i for three weeks of field work. The majority of the work will take place on the shipwreck of the S.S. MAUI, a site located at a depth of approximately 20 ft. on the leeward coast in warm tropical water, teeming with marine life. Training will include hands-on operation of remote sensing equipment. After the field work is completed, the course will return to Oahu for report writing, map completion, and wrap-up.
The 170 ft. long S.S. MAUI sank in 1917 due to navigational error. The ship, part of the inter-island steam navigation fleet, was involved in Hawai'i's sugar industry, an industry and lifestyle now in decline in the Islands. Stern, hull, boiler, and engine sections remain dispersed across an underwater lava flow.
Instructor for the course is Hans Van Tilburg (MA Nautical Archaeology and Maritime History, East Carolina University). Currently Hans is a PhD student in the department of history at the University of Hawai'i. The cost of the course is $158/credit (resident and non-resident rate) plus an institute fee of approximately $1000. The institute fee includes partial room and board, ground transportation, airfills, and inter-island air fare (Oahu-Hawai'i return). Inexpensive dorm housing on campus is available to course participants during week one and five at a slight additional cost.
Applications will be available in January 1998. Application receipt deadline is 15 April 1998, with notification of acceptance by 1 May. The course is limited to 15 participants. For more information, contact:
Marine Option Program
University of Hawai'i at Manoa
School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology 1000 POpe road #229
Honolulu, Hawai'i 96822 USA
phone: (808) 956-8433
fax: (808) 956-2417
email: mop@hawaii.edu or russells@hawaii.edu http://www2.hawaii.edu/mop/
Graduate Diploma of Museum Studies, Masters of Letters (Museum Studies), Museum Studies Unit, University of Sydney, includes Foundation Studies (The Museum, Context, Research, and Information Management, Communications and Public Programs); Management Studies (Principles of Management, management Practise, marketing and Fundraising); Collection Studies (Collection management, material Culture Study 1 and 2); Access Studies (Visitor Studies, Evaluation and Criticism, museum Education, Exhibition Project Management)
For further information contact Ms Shar Jones, Museum Studies Unit, Sydney University. Ph (02) 351 3800
BA and BA Hons in Cultural Heritage Studies, Graduate Diploma in Applied Heritage Studies (also Maritime Archaeology), MA in Cultural Heritage Studies (by project); Contact The Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, Curtin University, GPO Box U 1987, Perth WA, 6001, Ph (09) 351 3831
Certificate in Cultural Preservation. Six hours per week for 36 weeks. To equip students with skills to provide technical assistance in the cultural preservation industry. Contact Geoff Bell, Course Coordinator (06) 207 3469 of the School of Applied Science (06) 207 4300.
Graduate Diploma (Cultural Heritage Studies) & Bachelor of Arts (Cultural Heritage Studies): Charles Sturt University is offering by distance or on-campus study further education in Cultural Heritage Studies.
The Graduate Diploma is for those who have completed a tertiary degree and wish to gain more specific heritage skills. It is offered by distance over two years. Students successfully completing the course may choose to upgrade to an MA. Subjects offered: Cultural Theory, Visions of the Past, Heritage Practise, Museum Technology, Preserving the Public Record, Politics of the Past and Research Methods.
The BA is a three year degree preparing students for careers in ,museum. heritage and consultancy work. Students major in heritage studies and anthropology and select additional subjects from photography, park management, Japanese, conservation, curatorship or art history.
Further information from: The Secretary. School of Cultural Heritage, Charles Sturt University, PO Box 780, Albury, NSW 2640.
AIMA Publications
Back issues of the Bulletin, Newsletters and Special Publication are available for sale. Publication price lists and order forms may be obtained by contacting The Treasurer. Discount prices may apply for multiple orders.
What is AIMA
The Australian Institute for Maritime Archaeology (AIMA) is an organisation formed to promote the advancement of maritime archaeology in Australia and to assist in the co-ordination of national and international programs. Join AIMA and find out more about what is happening in the world of maritime archaeology.
Ordinary Member: A$40.00
Student Member A$30.00
Institutional Member A$80.00
Associate Member A$20.00
For further information on membership please contact the Treasurer, Cos Coroneos