Maritime Heritage
Overview
The Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH) aims to identify, conserve, protect, promote and provide policy advice on the built and maritime heritage of South Australia within the context of relevant legislation - the Heritage Places Act 1993, the State Historic Shipwrecks Act 1981 and the Commonwealth Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976. The Maritime Heritage Program encompasses land and underwater sites associated with South Australia's maritime heritage. Land sites include lighthouses, jetties and whaling stations, while underwater sites are predominantly shipwrecks. See Program History and Bibliography (300Kb PDF file). Maritime Heritage SurveysUnderwater and land-based maritime heritage sites are identified through regional surveys and information from the community. The regional surveys identify shipwrecks in both Commonwealth and State waters and are conducted by DEH maritime archaeologists.
Typically, regional shipwreck surveys involve:
Eight regions of South Australia have been identified for survey:
Conservation
During the inspection and assessment process (ie regional shipwreck surveys), shipwreck sites are also considered in terms of what conservation work may be required to assist in their longevity and their utilisation. This entails the identification and implementation of particular conservation treatments and, in particular cases, the recognition and production of conservation and management plans. Stabilisation work is carried out on shipwreck sites to help conserve them. At Victor Harbor the Solway, the wooden immigrant ship which brought some of the first German settlers to South Australia in 1837, has been totally covered with hundreds of sand bags, reducing the deteriorating effect of sand scouring and the damage done by teredo worms. Other maritime sites that are being considered, or are having conservation work implemented on them are the vessels Water Witch, Zanoni, Geltwood and Clan Ranald, the lifeboat City of Adelaide and the Mannum Dry Dock. Community Awareness/EducationRaising community awareness and educating the community about shipwrecks is an important part of the maritime heritage program. Activities carried out include the in situ interpretation of shipwreck sites, such as the nine maritime heritage trails established in South Australia; publications in the form of technical reports, booklets and brochures; and the establishment of museum displays and education kits through regional and State museums. Shipwreck stories on line!The ABC has produced a series of short programs about geographical place names that are linked to historic shipwreck events in South Australia. With the assistance of DEH Heritage Branch, the program's South Australian producer, Richard Margetson, investigated the stories, spoke to witnesses, researchers and historians, and in some cases visited the scene of the shipwrecks. The result is a collection of eight exciting tales of intrigue, mystery and adventure on the high seas - all of which explain the presence of famous landmarks along South Australia's coastline. Similar programs were produced for Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia. In South Australia the programs aired during November and December 2003 on 891 ABC Radio. A website was also developed for the project - http://www.abc.net.au/backyard/shipwrecks/sa. It provides the stories and images relating to the shipwrecks and their landmarks, as well as the audio of each episode played on the radio - well worth a listen. Shipwrecks - Interactive Online MappingIt is now possible to search all of South Australia's shipwrecks on the NatureMaps website: http://www.naturemaps.sa.gov.au/. To locate shipwrecks in NatureMaps find the Heritage map layer folder, select shipwrecks and click on the refresh map button. Approximately 750 vessels along our coast and in the River Murray can be located in this online mapping tool by zooming in to the map. To find information about a particular shipwreck make sure you click on the identify icon beside the shipwreck layer and then click on the shipwreck symbol on the map. Maritime Heritage/Shipwreck TrailsNine interpretive trails have been established along the South Australian coast and River Murray:
More information about Maritime Heritage/Shipwreck Trails. Port Adelaide Ships' Graveyards
Port Adelaide boasts one of South Australia's most significant archaeological treasures - the largest and most diverse ships' graveyard in Australia accessible to non-divers. Dispersed in quiet backwaters of the Port River are the remains of more than forty sailing, steam, motor and service vessels which ended their working lives in Port Adelaide. Five abandonment sites have been identified within the Port. The largest is the Garden Island Ships' Graveyard, with other graveyards located at the Jervois Basin, Mutton Cove, Broad Creek and the Angas Inlet. An A3 colour brochure, Port Adelaide Ships' Graveyards, is available from the Port Adelaide Visitor Information Centre. This free publication provides a map of the region with a description of each graveyard site and its accessibility by land and water. The brochure also provides a brief historical account of the ships' graveyards and of some of the vessels which were abandoned along the Port River. Download Port Adelaide Ships' Graveyards brochure (300Kb PDF file). Website: Ships' Graveyards of South Australia
More than 70 shipwrecks in South Australian waters can be classed as graveyard vessels. These deliberately abandoned wrecks are found at 19 identified sites around the State's coast and waterways. While a rotting keel or rusting plates are all that remain of some scuttled vessels, others are largely intact. Many were abandoned on muddy shores and can be enjoyed by land, kayak or small boat. Others, including the recently sunk ex-HMAS Hobart, lie underwater and provide rewarding recreational dive experiences. Ships' Graveyards of South Australia provides comprehensive information about these sites and vessels. It features:
See Ships' Graveyards of South Australia web site. Shipwreck Guidelines Brochure SeriesSouth Australia's shipwrecks are impressive diving and fishing locations, making them popular to a large section of the community. Unfortunately visitors can impact upon these fragile sites, causing damage through carelessness, anchoring into a wreck or deliberately disturbing the site. The Shipwreck Guidelines brochures encourage visitors to enjoy South Australia's shipwrecks while minimising their impact on the site. They provide essential information about Historic Shipwrecks legislation and provide strategies for the protection of these significant heritage sites. The first 4 titles in this series, which was released in July 2002, are:
South Australian Moorings Program
DEH, with funding support from the Commonwealth Natural Heritage Trust, has installed mooring buoys for use by recreational and charter vessels at 10 significant shipwreck sites in South Australia. The primary purpose of this State-wide project is the protection of the marine environment from damage caused by boat anchors (100Kb PDF) - to the shipwrecks as artificial reefs and to the corals, sponges and other marine life associated with them. The South Australian Moorings Program has installed mooring buoys at the following shipwreck locations - five around Wardang Island in Spencer Gulf (at the Australian, Songvaar, Moorara, MacIntyre and Investigator wrecks), one off the north-west coast of Kangaroo Island (at the Portland Maru wreck) and four in Gulf St Vincent (at the Star of Greece off Port Willunga, the Norma off Semaphore, and the Zanoni (250Kb PDF) and a barge off Ardrossan). Interpretation signs have also been installed at the Ardrossan, Port Victoria and North Haven boat ramps and in the carpark at Port Willunga. More information on the South Australian Moorings Program. Diving on ShipwrecksA word of caution. Diving on shipwrecks requires careful planning and an appropriate level of experience and training. With over 800 shipwrecks in South Australia, the types of sites and their surrounding sea conditions can vary greatly. Before embarking on a diving trip to a shipwreck, assess the conditions and requirements of diving on a particular site. A boat is generally needed to transport divers to a shipwreck site. Ensure your vessel has all the appropriate safety equipment and maintain someone in the boat at all times. |
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