Historic shipwrecks programme - funding 2008-09 project summaries

The following projects were funded in 2008-09 by the Historic Shipwrecks Programme.

New South Wales

Projects to be carried out by the New South Wales Heritage Branch.

New South Wales historic shipwreck surveys

This project involves liaison with State and Commonwealth government departments engaged in coastal survey projects to assist with information sharing. Project coordinators will work in association with the Australian National Maritime Museum to conduct surveys, investigations and assessments of known shipwreck sites in the Sydney Region. Project activities include the continued archaeological documentation of the Japanese midget submarine M24 including side scan survey, video recording and still photograph and liaise with recreational divers on the investigation of other world war two shipwrecks in New South Wales waters.

M24 Japanese midget submarine publication

It is planned to produce a book on the history, archaeology and management of the M24 Japanese midget submarine located near Sydney. The book will include historical background on the midget submarine attack on Sydney Harbour during World War Two, information on the submarine's discovery, findings of the archaeological investigation of its remains and details of the legislation and surveillance that protects the submarine.

M24 Japanese midget submarine online exhibition

Development of an "online exhibition" website featuring the M24 Japanese midget submarine. This website will include interactive web pages that document the history of the midget submarine attack on Sydney Harbour in 1942, the discovery of the submarine's remains, the site protection afforded by the Australian and New South Wales governments, the archaeology of the shipwreck site and commemorative aspects.

Administration of the Historic Shipwrecks Act

Assists in the administration of the statutory responsibilities under the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 including response to wreck and artefact reports, enforcement, public enquiries, site inspections, community engagement and liaison.

Queensland

Projects to be carried out by the Queensland Museum.

Historic shipwreck survey and database development

This project is aimed at updating Queensland's historic Shipwreck information and developing it into a suitable format to allow effective and efficient management. Activities will include historic shipwreck surveys and research & database development to be undertaken with a focus on Moreton Bay, the Gold Coast and Southeast Queensland.

Community engagement and development of historic shipwreck trails

This project is part of a long term strategy of community engagement and includes the development of local shipwreck trails in close proximity to urban population centre's in Southeast Queensland. The shipwreck trails will encourage the appropriate use and sustainable management of historic shipwreck resources and will be developed in cooperation with dive operators, cultural tourism businesses, local governments, interest groups and other state and Commonwealth Government agencies.

Administration of the Historic Shipwrecks Act

South Australia

Projects to be carried out by the South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage.

Locating and protecting three whaling shipwrecks

A number of historically significant whaling vessels have been lost of the west coast of South Australia. Three historic shipwrecks of particular significance are the Australian built brig Elizabeth (1845), the Canadian brigantine Camilla (1844) and the former British Navy barque Arachne (1848). The purpose of the project is to locate these shipwrecks and associated survivor camps by conducting an intensive remote sensing survey of sections of Streaky and Trial Bays. Sites identified by the survey will be assessed by divers and recorded in detail. The results of the project will be used to develop improved public interpretation and management of these historic shipwrecks.

Interpreting the survey for the whaling shipwrecks

The purpose of this project is to disseminate the outcomes of the survey of whaling shipwrecks to the public through the development of interpretive materials.

Artefact collection conservation

The project will foster best practise conservation of historic shipwreck relics and involves reorganisation of the shipwreck artefact storage facility maintained by the South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage and the conservation of shipwreck relics in the collection. The project will also facilitate the future transfer of these relics to museums in order to allow public interpretation.

Digitisation of South Australian shipwreck reports and images

Since the early 1980's, the South Australian heritage branch has accumulated a wealth of reports, images and audio visual material relating to historic shipwrecks. The majority of these documents and materials are in hardcopy or non digital format. This project will facilitate the digitisation of the records in order to improve public access to these resources and allow them to be introduced into the Australian National Shipwreck Database.

Administration of the Historic Shipwrecks Act

Tasmania

Projects to be carried out by the Tasmanian Department of Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts.

Historic shipwreck site inspections

The location of eighty shipwrecks sites in Tasmanian waters is currently known. This project will aim to re-inspect known sites and to record others not yet formally assessed. Updated information will be entered onto the Australian National Shipwrecks Database. This is the second stage of an ongoing project that was commenced in 2007.

Recording historic shipwreck relics in Tasmania

This project will commence the detailed recording of historic shipwreck relics held in Tasmanian museums so that the information can be introduced into the new shipwreck relic section of the Australian National Shipwrecks Database.

Administration of the Historic Shipwrecks Act

Victoria

Projects to be carried out by Heritage Victoria.

Historic shipwreck relic documentation and digitisation project

This project continues Heritage Victoria's commitment to maintain and update historic shipwreck relic information held on Heritage Victoria's Conservation and Artefact database. Tasks to be undertaken include the assessment, cataloguing, recording and condition assessments of the Terry Arnott artefact collection which has passed to Heritage Victoria and the updating of existing records in preparation for their inclusion in the new shipwreck relic section of the Australian National Shipwreck Database.

Apollo Bay historic shipwreck assessment and documentation

There are 15 known historic shipwrecks in the Apollo Bay region. Thus far only the SS Casino (1932), the Grange (1858) and an unidentified wreck near Blanket Bay have been located. As part of this project, Heritage Victoria will undertake remote sensing searches for the un-located sites, access the historic shipwreck relics held by the Apollo Bay Cable Station Museum and liaise with the local community and stakeholder groups. Information gathered from the historic shipwreck and relic inspections is required for the development of appropriate site management strategies for the region.

Study to identify availability of third party geophysical data for shipwreck location, monitoring and interpretation in Victoria

This project will identify and make contact with organisations which own, use or have access to seabed data obtained with geophysical equipment such as high resolution sidescan and multi-beam sonar, remote operated underwater vehicles (ROV) and drop-cameras. The aim of the project is to assess the quantity and availability of remote sensing data in order to establish working relationships with data-owners and formalise access to data by maritime archaeologists for the investigation of historic shipwrecks. Uses of the data include; site monitoring, interpretation, and general management of shipwreck sites along the coast of Victoria. Such data would be of particular value in investigating sites that lie beyond the safe working depths for divers.

Historic shipwreck access survey

This project will create and conduct a survey of Victorian divers to ascertain which wrecks they dive and which sites are the most popular. Dive charters, clubs, informal groups and individuals will be approached to participate in the survey which will augment existing information to provide comprehensive data on wreck site access. Benefits will include improved knowledge of diver pressure on wrecks and increased contact and cooperation with cultural tourism businesses, volunteers, and community organisations. The information will help improve management of historic shipwrecks in Victoria.

Administration of the Historic Shipwrecks Act

Western Australia

Projects to be carried out by the Western Australian Museum.

Management of historic shipwreck relic collection

This project will continue the audit of the historic shipwreck relic and numismatic collections located at the Western Australian Museum that commenced in 2007-08 and update and maintain the museums artefact and numismatic databases.

Historic shipwreck assessment and documentation

The Department of Maritime Archaeology of the Western Australian Museum will visit historic shipwreck sites around the state to undertake site assessments and improve location data quality. Where appropriate, field operations will also involve public participation through the inclusion of shipwreck finders, local communities and the Maritime Archaeology Association of Western Australia. In addition to the numerous outstanding inspections, ongoing monitoring of the historic shipwrecks James Matthews, Omeo, James, and Diana will continue throughout 2008-2009. It is anticipated that further work will be conducted on the Rottnest Island deepwater ships graveyard, the Rockingham cannon and anchor, and the new south metropolitan shipwreck site Cumberland.

Conservation of shipwreck relics

The project will provide conservation treatment for existing and newly recovered historic shipwreck relics including specialist analytical techniques to assist in identification and the development of appropriate treatment strategies. The development of new treatment and stabilisation methods is especially important for materials that are difficult to treat such as composite objects and pewter.

Administration of the Historic Shipwrecks Act

Northern Territory

Projects to be carried out by the Northern Territory Department of Natural Resources Environment and the Arts.

Administration of the Historic Shipwrecks Act

Norfolk Island

Projects to be carried out by the Norfolk Island Museum.

HMS Sirius website

The proposed HMS Sirius website will enhance public knowledge and awareness of this historic shipwreck and highlight its significance to Australia's maritime heritage. The website will also allow the wider Australian community increased accessibility to the remote collection of historic shipwreck relics from HMS Sirius that is held by the Norfolk Island Museum and will also encourage their research and interpretation.

Administration of the Historic Shipwrecks Act

Australisian Institute for Maritime Archaeology (AIMA)

Projects to be carried out by the Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology.

AIMA is the peak professional body for maritime archaeologists in Australia, and is active in the promotion of the protection and preservation of Australia's maritime heritage, training and public education.

AIMA annual publications

This project involves the production of the AIMA professional journal and four newsletters. These publications contribute significantly to the dissemination of information about historic shipwreck research, management and promotion. They are frequently used nationally and internationally as a standard source of current policy, procedure and research for shipwrecks.

AIMA annual conference, Launceston 2009

The proposed conference will be held in Launceston, Tasmania in September 2009 in association with the Australasian Society for Historical Archaeology (ASHA). The conference will identify key themes, developments and priority areas relating to historic shipwreck site management, artefact conservation and research, and will promote a nationally coordinated approach to the management of the Historic Shipwrecks Program.

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