HMS Investigator (2)

Over 200 years ago, Matthew Flinders and the crew from the Investigator became the 1^st to circumnavigate the Australian coast. When Flinders had finished surveying the southern coast of Australia in 1802, he continued sailing the Investigator northwards in an attempt to chart the rest of the Australian coastline. This became quite impossible for him since the Investigator was badly leaking seawater. In early 1803, Flinders had to sail the Investigator to Timor. When he left Timor, he sailed down the coast of Western Australia to make his way back to Port Jackson (Sydney). He sailed wide of the coast to save time for the journey back and was unable to survey and chart the coastline. He only made one stop on the way back. That was at Middle Island in the Recherche Archipelago off of Western Australia in May 1803. Middle Island is the largest island in the archipelago. At daylight on 21^st May 1803 Flinders was preparing to depart from Middle Island but a fresh breeze started driving the Investigator towards rocks before the sails were loosed. Flinders used the ship’s spare anchors to hold her. He then had to cut two anchor cables just before the ship cleared the rocks at noon. Flinders had lost both his best bower anchor and stream anchor. A bower anchor is one at the bow of the ship. The Investigator’s best bower anchor was over 4m long and weighed over 1 tonne. It had giant flukes sharply offset like a massive arrow. The stream anchor was much smaller, being 3m long and weighing about 406kgs. In 1972, Doug Seton from the SA Museum organized an expedition with some of his fellow Underwater Explorers Club of SA members to find and raise the two anchors.

38 years ago, both anchors were located in Goose Island Bay on 14^th January 1973 by members of the Underwater Explorers Club of SA. The bay is so-called because Goose Island is situated in the bay, which is on the northern shore of Middle Island. The anchors were both raised up by the lighthouse ship Cape Don on 19^th January 1973. They have now been preserved and restored. The best bower anchor is now located at the SA Maritime Museum at Port Adelaide. The stream anchor was placed in Canberra along with an anchor from James Cook’s Endeavour.

HMS Investigator

Matthew Flinders' ship HMS Investigator was commissioned in Monkwearmouth, Durham, England in 1795 as a collier & working vessel called Xenophon. Her name was changed to Investigator on 19th January 1801 & Flinders was placed in command of her on 25th of that month. She eventually became condemned whilst she lay at moorings in Port Jackson and was used as a stores ship. In 1804, however, Governor King reported to the Admiralty in Britain, that on further examination, her hull had been found to be 'remarkably sound.' She was then repaired & re-rigged and she was used for short runs. In 1805, it was decided that she should return to England 'with despatches'. On arrival her there, a Captain Kent noted that a "more deplorable crazy vessel than the Investigator is perhaps not to be seen." In 1810, the Navy Board sold the Investigator into private service. She was once again the Xenophon, the wanderer, and she later wandered from Petersburg to the Mediterranean. On August 1st 1853, she arrived in Geelong, Victoria from Liverpool and spent her final years in the service of a company which later became the Melbourne Steamship Company. According to the last entry in the Register of British Ships records, the vessel was broken up and her registry closed 31st December 1872. So no suggestion of her being an actual shipwreck at all. She did, however, lose anchors in Australian waters. See later post for more details.

New postings on Shark blog

My shipwreck blog has been quiet as of late. My apologies for that. I've just posted my 1st blog here for about 5 weeks. I have, however, been busy making postings to my shark blog (Steve's Shark Site). Happy new year for 2011.

AIMA 2011 SHIPWRECK PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION

The Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology (AIMA) is holding its 2nd Shipwreck Photography Competition this year. Photographers from all over the world are invited to send in their best photos of any shipwrecks or other underwater cultural heritage above or below Australian or New Zealand waters. The competition is being run from January to December 2011, with judging occurring each month. Any entries received after the 1st of the month will automatically go into the following month's competition. Except for the January 2011 prize (which can be an image taken prior to 2011), images must have been taken in 2011. All winners will be announced in Dive Log magazine from February 2011 to January 2012. For further details regarding the AIMA 2011 Shipwreck Photographic Competition, refer to

http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/shipwrecks/photo-competition/index.html.

The tug TSS Awarua

According to the web page found at http://homepages.vodafone.co.nz/~peterballantyne/awarua.html, the tug TSS Awarua was scuttled as a dive wreck and artificial reef near Breaksea Island & Ruapuke Island in Foveaux Strait, southern New Zealand on 19th December 1989. She was thus New Zealand’s second purposely-sunk dive wreck, with the Rainbow Warrior being the first one.

Project Beneath Gallipoli

(Photo taken from

http://au.tv.yahoo.com/sunday-night/galleries/article/-/article/8009574/image/12/beneath-gallipoli/)

I found the video footage of the Sunday Night “Beneath Gallipoi” feature at http://au.tv.yahoo.com/sunday-night/video/-/watch/22116305 . There is a “Sunday Night” blog at http://au.tv.yahoo.com/sunday-night/blogs/article/-/article/8004358/project-beneath-gallipoli/ and a gallery of 12 photos by Mark Spencer at http://au.tv.yahoo.com/sunday-night/galleries/article/-/article/8009574/image/12/beneath-gallipoli/.

Enquires regarding this project can be made in writing to:
Tim Smith, Director
Project Beneath Gallipoli Inc.
PO Box 504
COLLAROY BEACH
NSW 2097
Or email any inquiries to Tim Smith at: tim.smith@planning.nsw.gov.au

Links to shipwreck articles

Links to many of my shipwreck articles published in the MLSSA Newsletter are listed at http://www.mlssa.asn.au/cgi-bin/Publications.cgi?id=Topic#8

Wreck of the Lemael

My article titled "The Wreck Of The Schooner Lemael" can be found at http://www.mlssa.asn.au/cgi-bin/Publications.cgi?topic=nletters/MLSSA_NL_344_June_2007.htm#3 (This link may be broken)

Rainbow Warrior (1) now NZ dive site

Greenpeace’s first Rainbow Warrior ship is now a popular New Zealand dive site. She was blown-up whilst docked in New Zealand in 1985. The ship was being prepared for a protest voyage to Moruroa Atoll over French nuclear testing. French Secret Service agents planted two bombs on the ship in Auckland harbour on 10th July 1985. These bombs resulted in two large explosions just before midnight that evening, which caused the Rainbow Warrior to keel over. The ship’s Captain and crew were onboard the ship at the time. Most of them managed to get safely off of her but a photographer who tried to rescue his cameras at the time was drowned. The complete article on this topic was featured in the Sept 2010 issue of Dive Log magazine (p.66) - http://www.divetheblue.net/ . Part of the story can also be read at

http://www.mlssa.asn.au/cgi-bin/Newsletters.cgi?year=2007&nl=MLSSA_NL_344_June_2007.htm

and https://sites.google.com/site/sascubadivingsite/shipwrecks/rainbow-warrior.

100th anniversary of building of the Ulonga

The AV Ulonga was first built as a paddle steamer 100 years ago, in 1910. She was refitted and converted to auxiliary by the installation of engines for twin screws in 1949. She was then used in the Kangaroo Island trade until she sank near Normanville in July 1976. The wreck now sits upright on the bottom at 37-40m. The USDC website (at http://www.adelaideadventurecharter.com/attractions.html) includes an aerial photo of the Ulonga underway.

TITANIC ANNIVERSARY

April 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. Enthusiasts can participate in a 100th-anniversary voyage that follows the original route of the Titanic from just $6455pp twin share. Contact Escape Travel on 1300 799 783 or at http://www.escapetravel.com.au/ for details. The 12-night voyage commences at Southampton, England on 8th April and ends in New York, US. A memorial service will be held at the site of the Titanic’s sinking. There will also be a visit to Nova Scotia to visit the final resting place of deceased passengers and/or crew. Lectures will be presented by guests and descendants of the original passengers.

Meanwhile, “Titanic: The Artefact Exhibition” being held at the Melbourne Museum finishes on 7th November. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.titanicmelbourne.com/ or phone 13 11 02.

Centaur memorial service

Further to http://stevesshipwrecksite.blogspot.com/2009/12/discovery-of-wreck-of-centaur.html, about 300 people attended an emotional memorial service held aboard HMAS Manoora on 24th September. Relatives of those who perished on AHS Centaur during World War II threw floral wreaths and heart-felt messages to their loved ones at the site of the shipwreck. For the first time in 67 years, family and friends were 2059 metres above the hospital ship's resting place, 48km east of the southern tip of Moreton Island, off the southern Queensland coast. Visit http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/service-at-sea-centaur-dead-honoured-20100924-15p5q.html for more details.

TITANIC ANNIVERSARY

April 2011 marks the 100^th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. Enthusiasts can participate in a 100^th-anniversary voyage that follows the original route of the Titanic from just $6455pp twin share. Contact Escape Travel on 1300 799 783 or at www.escapetravel.com.au for details. The 12-night voyage commences at Southampton, England on 8^th April and ends in New York, US. A memorial service will be held at the site of the Titanic’s sinking. There will also be a visit to Nova Scotia to visit the final resting place of deceased passengers and/or crew. Lectures will be presented by guests and descendants of the original passengers.

TITANIC EXHIBITION

(Source: http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=TITANIC, incl. 30-sec video footage)

RMS Titanic Inc. has the exclusive rights to dive to the Titanic, and they're bringing artefacts from the wreck to Melbourne. An exhibition titled “Titanic: The Artefact Exhibition” is being held at the Melbourne Museum until mid-November and will have more than 280 artefacts on display. Some of these have never been presented in Australia before. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.titanicmelbourne.com/ or phone 13 11 02 (9am to 5pm AEST, 7 Days per week). Visit http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=TITANIC, http://au.tv.yahoo.com/sunrise/video/play/-/7049182/inside-the-titanic/ and http://au.tv.yahoo.com/sunrise/factsheets/article/-/article/7048138/em-titanic-em-myth-busting/ for further details.

The anchor of the Nashwauk

It seems that there was some concern in July 2009 re the SS Nashwauk's anchor. The anchor was, at that time, located in the Moana Beach Tourist Park.

Australian National Museum senior curator Richard Reid apparently wanted to take the anchor to the museum in Canberra. This resulted in several letters to the Southern Times messenger at the time. These can be found at http://southern-times-messenger.whereilive.com.au/your-news/story/anchor-away/#comment-form & http://southern-times-messenger.whereilive.com.au/your-news/story/anchor-away/.

MOORING BUOYS

SDFSA President & Secretary (Hank van der Wijngaart & Steve Reynolds) both met up with DEH’s Amer Khan recently to discuss the future of DEH’s shipwreck mooring buoy program. They were concerned regarding the loss of mooring buoys from wrecks such as the Star of Greece, Norma and Zanoni. They were hoping to persuade DEH to replace any missing buoys. Amer agreed to try to re-establish the mooring buoy program which would see the missing buoys replaced. Photos taken during the meeting, including some of buoys, have been posted at http://picasaweb.google.com.au/stevereynolds600/SDFNewSheetJuly2010.

HISTORIC WRECK FOUND AT GALLIPOLI

A maritime archaeology team has uncovered a number of new shipwrecks at Anzac Cove, Gallipoli. Visit http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/story/2010/06/23/coffs-harbour-gallipoli-spencer-anzac-maritime/ for more details. Photos can be found at http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/photos/galleries/oceanic-survey-anzac-cove/.

SA wreck mooring buoys still not replaced

Star of Greece wreck location at Port Willunga


I understand that the mooring buoys missing from both the Norma and the Star of Greece wrecks have still not been replaced yet. It is hoped that the DEH will soon do the right thing.

SS Glenelg

Aquability located the wreck the SS Glenelg on 28th June 2009 after several attempts. The Glenelg sank 55 miles west of Lakes Entrance, 7 miles off shore, 110 years ago on the 24th March 1900. (Further details regarding the Glenelg can be read at http://sites.google.com/site/sascubadivingsite/ .)

WRECKS AROUND EDEN, NSW

There are numerous wrecks around Eden, including the sunken tugs Tasman Hauler and Henry Bolte. The Tasman Hauler is said to be intact and sitting upright on a sandy bottom at 30m. The Henry Bolte is on its side on a rocky bottom at 25m. Both wrecks are easy to find and in close proximity of South Head. Both are marked with buoys. The waters in this area are said to be pristine and often provide 30–40m visibility. Eden is situated on Twofold Bay in the far south of NSW. (Source: “Member Bulletin”, the Recreational Fishing and Trailer Boat Owners Advocacy and Support Group)

Scuttling of ex-HMAS Adelaide delayed

Oops! The scuttling of the ex-HMAS Adelaide has been delayed due to a legal challenge from conservationists concerned about toxic pollution from the vessel. Visit http://express-advocate-wyong.whereilive.com.au/news/story/adelaide-scuttling-postponed-indefinitely-while-mediation-goes-on/ for further details.

City of Adelaide lifeboat facing relocation in rubbish dump

It seems that the City of Adelaide lifeboat is now facing relocation in the rubbish dump at Port Lincoln. Council there is considering a proposal to preserve the wreck at the local dump. The vessel is now owned by the Dept for Environment & Heritage and it is in a sad state of decay. The Axel Stenross Maritime Museum has been appealing for funds to restore it. The lifeboat was removed from Porter Bay, Pt Lincoln 25 years ago to make way for the new marina. It was placed in the Museum where it was expected to undergo conservation. Unfortunately, that never happened. The museum couldn't afford to do it.

ex-HMAS Adelaide to be scuttled in NSW 25th March

The former FFG-7 Class frigate HMAS Adelaide is set to be scuttled off 1km off of Avoca Beach near Terrigal on the NSW Central Coast tomorrow (25/3). 13m of the ship’s mast have been removed. The Adelaide was the navy ship that rescued yachtsmen Tony Bullimore & Thierry Dubois in 1997. The Adelaide (FFG-01) was commissioned on 15th November 1980. She was the first of 6 Adelaide Class guided-missile frigates to be delivered to the RAN. Her 5 sister ships were: - Canberra (II), Sydney, Darwin, Melbourne and Newcastle. For further details regarding the Adelaide (and her sister ships), visit http://www.hmasadelaide.com/ , http://www.navy.gov.au/HMAS_Adelaide_(II) , http://www.navy.gov.au/Adelaide_Class & http://www.mlssa.asn.au/nletters/march2010.htm for further details.

A DOZEN ANCIENT WRECKS DISCOVERED IN THE BALTIC

“Swedish experts say dozens of centuries-old shipwrecks have been found by a gas company building an underwater pipeline between Russia and Germany. The oldest wreck probably dates back to medieval times and could be up to 800 years old, while the others are likely from the 17-19th centuries, said Peter Norman, of Sweden's National Heritage Board. "We have managed to identify 12 shipwrecks, and nine of them are considered to be fairly old," Peter Norman, a senior advisor with the heritage board, told AFP. "We think many of the ships are from the 17th & 18th centuries and we think some could even be from the Middle Ages," he said, stressing that "this discovery offers enormous culture-historical value. The shipwrecks were discovered during a probe by the Russian-led Nord Stream consortium of the sea bed route its planned gas pipeline from Russia to the European Union will take through the Baltic. "They used sonar equipment first and discovered some unevenness along the sea bottom ... so they filmed some of the uneven areas, and we could see the wrecks," Norman explained.” Source:
http://www.xray-mag.com/en/content/dozen-ancient-wrecks-discovered-baltic

"City of Adelaide" lifeboat anniversary

It is now 25 years since the "City of Adelaide" lifeboat was removed from Porter Bay, Pt Lincoln to make way for the new marina. It was placed in the Axel Stenross Maritime Museum where it was expected to undergo conservation. Unfortunately, that never happened. The museum couldn't afford to do it. The vessel is now owned by the Dept for Environment & Heritage and it is in a sad state of decay. The museum is now appealing for funds to restore it.

Lady Kinnaird anniversary

It is now 130 years since the 680-ton iron barque Lady Kinnaird sank off of Cape Burr, Port Neill on 21st January 1880. An anchor from the shipwreck is now located at Port Neill. A photo of the anchor can be found at http://www.tumbybay.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=238&c=179 . The Society for Underwater Historical Research published a report (prepared by Alan Hale) titled “The wreck of the Lady Kinnaird, January 21st 1880” on the wrecks centenary in 1980. A young Alan Hale is shown at the far right in the above photo of an anchor retrieved from Fishery Bay.

Photos of the HA Lumb

I only have this photo of the Lumb's cabin which is still situated at Cruikshanks's Corner at Birkenhead. Will Scapens is after some photos of the vessel. There are a couple of shots of her to be found at http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/heritage/ships_graveyards/pdfs/ha_lumb.pdf