Historic shipwrecks

Australia protects its shipwrecks and their associated relics that are older than 75 years through the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976. The Historic Shipwrecks Act applies to Australian waters that extend from the low tide mark to the end of the continental shelf and is administered in collaboration between the Commonwealth and the States, Northern Territory and Norfolk Island. Some Australian shipwreck sites lie within protected or no-entry zones.

The Historic Shipwrecks Act is delivered through the Historic Shipwrecks Program. Its objectives are to research, explore, document and protect Australia's historic shipwreck heritage. Each State or Territory program offers different opportunities for public participation as do maritime archaeological volunteer associations that exist in Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia.

Maritime News

4 February 2010

Date announced for first of Centaur Commemorations

The first of two commemorations will occur on 2 March 2010. A National Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance will be held at St John's Cathedral, Ann Street Brisbane at 11 AM. A further 'at sea' ceremony is also being organised. The Australian Army along with the Queensland Government would like to invite relatives and friends of AHS Centaur personnel to register their details to receive further information.

28 January 2010

Zuytdorp coins seized

In January 2010, following a report that stolen objects from a shipwreck were hidden in a backyard, the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts with the assistance of West Australian (WA) Police, recovered more than 1,400 silver coins. These coins are believed to have sunk with the Zuytdorp in 1712, north of Geraldton, off the WA Coast.

14 January 2010

AHS Centaur protected zone declared

With funding provided by the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments, the AHS Centaur was located by Bluewater Recoveries and Williamson and Associates on 20 December 2010. To protect the shipwreck and the associated maritime military and civilian graves a protected zone was declared around the wreck site under the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976.

1 January 2010

ANMM fieldtrip to confirm the location of the Cato shipwreck at Wreck Reef

In December 2009 the Australian National Maritime Museum announced that a ship's cannon and rudder gudgeon had been found embedded in a reef off North Queensland. These artefacts are thought to belong to the Cato, which sank after running aground in 1803 on the way to India.

10 December 2009

A new web site dedicated to HMS Sirius, the flagship of the First Fleet, is now online

The site has been created by the Norfolk Island Museum with funding from the Historic Shipwrecks Program. It covers the story of the Sirius and her role as the flagship, her wrecking at Norfolk Island and recovery of and over of the major artefacts. The Sirius artefacts are the most significant array of First Fleet cultural heritage held anywhere in Australia and its Terriroties and this site aims to highlight her amazing story.

9 December 2009

Australian WWII hospital ship Centaur

The search for the missing Australian WWII hospital ship Centaur, which sank off the Queensland coast, could start as early as this weekend. David Mearns, the project leader for the search believes that in fewer than 40 days he can find the wreck which has been missing for 65 years. Centaur is the resting place for 268 of the 332 crew who perished when the vessel was torpedoed in May 1943.

20 November 2009

$440,000 for historic shipwreck sites

Federal Heritage Minister today announced funding of $439,928 for projects that will protect the nation's underwater cultural heritage. A total of 25 projects across Australia will receive funding under the Historic Shipwrecks Program.

18 November 2009

DEWHA supports the AIMA Shipwreck Photography Competition

To be eligible for entry in the Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology (AIMA) 2010 shipwreck photography competition all shipwrecks photographed must be in Australian or New Zealand waters and must meet the criteria for that category: Shipwrecks above water; Shipwrecks underwater with divers; Shipwrecks & nature.

Heritage