Rockhampton Regional Council is excited to host the national touring exhibition Submerged – Stories of Australia's Shipwrecks at the Northside Library from 24 May - 4 June and from 7 June - 30 June at Rockhampton Regional Library on the south side.
Communities and Heritage Councillor Drew Wickerson says this fascinating exhibition is set to impress maritime history and dive enthusiasts alike.
"68 shipwreck stories were nominated by 46 maritime museums and heritage institutions from around Australia with 14 of the most compelling stories selected to feature in the exhibition," Cr Wickerson said.
"This is a wonderful opportunity to get a glimpse inside these fascinating stories and remember everyone who lost their lives on our coast.
"Submerged is presented by the Australian National Maritime Museum and the Australian Maritime Museums Council and is the result of a national project with workshops held across the country to develop the exhibition and to source shipwreck stories."
Australia's coast is the final resting place of over 11,000 shipwrecks – roughly one wreck for every three kilometres of coastline, and Queensland's Sovereign and Foam, are two of 14 wrecks whose stories will feature in the nationally touring panel exhibition.
Sovereign was a paddle steamer from Moreton Island which was bound for Sydney when it was swamped by waves in the treacherous South Passage Bar, Moreton Bay in 1847.
Aboriginal men risked their lives and rescued 10 people while the remaining 44 passengers and crew perished. Foam was a British topsail schooner which struck Myrmidon Reef on the Great Barrier Reef in 1893 on its way to the South Island Seas.
The exhibition also features wrecks of merchant vessels, whalers, trawlers, motor vessels and a submarine. The oldest wreck featured is WA's Batavia. Its 1629 loss on Beacon Island, and subsequent mutiny, is one of the most dramatic events in Dutch and Australian history.
Other wrecks include Sanyo Maru, a Japanese motor vessel lost in 1937 in Boucaut Bay NT, British merchant ship Sydney Cove lost in 1797 off Preservation Island, Tasmania and the Fijian fishing trawler Degei which struck rocks on Donington Reef, SA in 1974.
The exhibition also features one shipwreck from outside Australia – Australia's second submarine HMAS AE2 which was lost in 1915 during the First World War in the Sea of Marmara, Turkey.
Submerged – Stories of Australia's Shipwrecks is on a two year national tour across regional Australia. All 68 submitted shipwreck stories are available now on the AMMC website in a digital archive – www.maritimemuseumsaustralia.com/page/submissions-1.
The exhibition is assisted by the Australian Government Visions of Australia program.
