Two of our Underwater Cultural Heritage (UCH) experts joined a transit voyage aboard the CSIRO research vessel (RV) Investigator.
They and underwater archaeologists from other jurisdictions surveyed 49 UCH targets.
They also identified new shipwrecks! The relevant state heritage bodies are working with the CSIRO to explore further.
Our scientists sailed from Brisbane to Hobart from 20 to 27 November. The voyage research objectives were to:
- survey shipwrecks and submerged First Nations landscapes along Australia's eastern seaboard
- obtain new data and imagery of these sites.
The team surveyed sites in NSW and Tasmania, including notable shipwrecks:
- HMAS Australia I. The first flagship of the Royal Australian Navy. It was sunk off the coast of Sydney NSW in April 1924 as part of arms reductions in the Pacific following WWI.
- The SS Wollongbar II. Sunk off the coast of Crescent Head, NSW, on 29 April 1943 after being torpedoed by a Japanese submarine. Thirty-two lives were lost.
- The SS Tasman. A cargo ship sunk on 30 November 1883 after hitting a submerged rock near Hippolyte Rocks, Tasmania.
The team used RV Investigator's marine survey technology to get detailed maps and images of the seabed and wreck sites. This data helped us understand the positions and conditions of these sites so we can protect them.
DCCEEW's Dr Andrew Viduka was the Co-Chief Scientist for the shipwrecks survey work.
Dr Ania Kotarba of the University of Adelaide was the Co-Chief Scientist for the submerged landscape surveys. These aimed to identify areas of past human occupation in the ancient Macleay River system in NSW.
The CSIRO's Marine National Facility operates RV Investigator. It is Australia's dedicated ocean research vessel. It delivers collaborative marine research for national benefit.
The voyage included representatives from:
- the Australian National Maritime Museum
- the University of Adelaide
- state government heritage agencies
- Elders and Traditional Owners representing the Dunghutti and Ngambaa communities.
We lead the Australian UCH Program, managing and protecting important sites like shipwrecks and their artefacts and First Nations archaeological heritage.
This research was supported by a grant of sea time on RV Investigator from the CSIRO Marine National Facility.
Outcomes of the voyage will be published in the coming months.
