Historic shipwrecks
Maritime news archive, 2011
November 2011
Prime Minister and President of the United States announce Partnering in Commemorating the Battle of the Coral Sea | 16 November 2011
In recognition of the exceptional bravery and sacrifice exemplified by our sailors and airmen who fought together in the May 1942 Battle of the Coral Sea, historically regarded as the start of U.S.-Australia military cooperation, Australia and the United States are to work together, in advance of the battle's 70th anniversary in May 2012, to locate the wrecks of three U.S. warships (the USS Lexington, USS Neosho, and USS Sims) sunk in Australian waters during this pivotal two-day clash.
- Fact sheet on New Australia-United States Cooperation - 16 November 2011
October 2011
HMS Sirius shipwreck added to the National Heritage list | 25 October 2011
The Environment Minister has announced that the HMS Sirius shipwreck site at Norfolk Island has been added to Australia's National Heritage List.
September 2011
Field trip by Northern Territory students to the SS Brisbane Shipwreck | 30 September 2011
On the 30 September the Northern Territory Heritage Branch led an expedition of year 11 photography students from Darwin High School to the shipwreck SS Brisbane (1874-1881). The students travelled by boat to the shipwreck site on Fish Reef, where they explored and photographed the forward section of the Brisbane, which is exposed at low tide.The students will enter their images in the 2011 shipwreck photography competition run by the Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology. The Heritage Branch is assisting schools across the top end of the Northern Territory to access and photograph shipwrecks and other maritime sites in their locality.
Students in front of a boiler from the SS Brisbane shipwreck
Photo: David Steinberg
Anchor from the SS Brisbane shipwreck
Photo: David Steinberg
June 2011
Geraldton man fined for stealing shipwreck relics
A 66-year-old man from Geraldton, Western Australia, has been fined $3,000 for possessing undeclared relics from a Dutch shipwreck offshore off Geraldton.
SS Coramba
Sweet relief as SS Coramba find ends 76-year mystery | 5 June 2011
Two weeks ago, maritime historian Des Williams and diver Mark Ryan, of not-for-profit Southern Ocean Exploration, ended one of the state's most enduring shipwreck mysteries when they found the Coramba lying on its port side 66 metres beneath the surface.
For more information see: Sweet relief as wreck find ends 76-year mystery
May 2011
ARC Linkage grant funding for shipwreck preservation research | 30 May 2011
On 30 May 2011 the Science Minister Kim Carr announced funding for the ARC Linkage The Australian Historic Shipwreck Project: the in situ preservation and reburial of a colonial trader - Clarence (1850). This project was endorsed by the Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC) and placed on the Cooperative National Heritage Agenda. The project will seek to develop a sophisticated protocol for rapid excavation, detailed recording and reburial of significant shipwrecks at risk, fostering a strategic national approach for shipwreck management. The project will also expand the knowledge base about early colonial shipbuilding practices through a detailed excavation, recording and analysis on the Clarence which is located in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria. The Project is led by Professor Peter Veth of the Australian National University with A/Professor Mark Staniforth, Dr Ian Macleod, Ms Vicki Richards and Mr Tony Barham.
| LP110200184 | Prof Peter M Veth, A/Prof Mark Staniforth, Dr Ian D MacLeod, Ms Vicki L Richards, Mr Anthony J Barham |
|---|---|
| Approved project title | The Australian historic shipwreck protection project: the in situ preservation and reburial of a colonial trader - Clarence (1850) |
| Primary FoR | 2101 ARCHAEOLOGY |
Partner/Collaborating Organisation(s)
Australian National Maritime Museum, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, NT Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport, NSW Department of Planning, Norfolk Island Museum, Parks and Wildlife Service, Tasmania, QLD Department of Environment and Resource Management, The Australasian Institute for Maritime Archeology, Victoria Department of Planning and Community Development, Western Australian Museum.
Administering Organisation
The Australian National University.
Project Summary
The project will use cutting-edge technology to study and preserve an
early colonial shipwreck at risk and develop a
world-class strategy for the reburial and preservation of endangered
historic shipwrecks. The project will help
develop new national policy and technical guidelines for site managers
of historic shipwrecks and offer new insights
into colonial shipbuilding.
March 2011
HMAS Sydney II and HSK Kormoran shipwrecks on heritage lists | 14 March 2011
Heritage Minister, Tony Burke today announced that the HMAS Sydney II and the HSK Kormoran shipwreck sites had been added to Australia's Commonwealth and National Heritage Lists.
For more information see: HMAS Sydney II and the HSK Kormoran Shipwreck Sites
Protected zone declared around historic shipwreck SS Glenelg | 9 March 2011
A protected zone has been declared around the site of the historic shipwreck SS Glenelg near Port Albert, Victoria. The SS Glenelg foundered suddenly on 25 March 1900, resulting in the loss of 25 passengers and 13 crew. The protected zone is to provide SS Glenelg with additional protection under the Commonwealth Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 in response to recently reported looting of relics from the site. Divers are now required to apply for a permit to access this site in the future.
For more information see: Gazette notice