Maritime archaeology publications
Apollo Bay historic shipwreck assessment
Use of third party geophysical data
Historic shipwreck access survey
Wrecks on the Reef
Sealing and Whaling Sites in Victoria
Time and Tide
Clonmel - Disaster to Discovery
Silts in the Sight Glass
Dive information sheets
Shipwreck conservation management plans
Amnesty artefact and digitisation report
This report is a case study of how Heritage Victoria looked after a private artefact collection subject to the 1993 Historic Shipwreck Amnesty.
The artefacts recorded and digitised in the Terry Arnott collection are now available for researchers through our new artefact and conservation online database.
Amnesty artefact and digitisation report (PDF 1.7 MB)
Apollo Bay historic shipwreck assessment
There are 15 known historic shipwrecks in the Apollo Bay region. As part of this project, we inspected the SS Casino, Wollomai and a searched for and surveyed a number of pieces of Eric the Red. An initial site plan was made of the Grange, and a number of anchors recorded for the Big Anchor Project.
Apollo Bay historic shipwreck assessment and documentation (PDF 4.4 MB)
Use of third party geophysical data
This project identified organisations which own, use or have access to seabed data obtained with geophysical equipment such as high resolution sidescan and multi-beam sonar, remote operated underwater vehicles (ROV) and drop-cameras.
The aim was to assess the quantity and availability of remote sensing data in order to establish working relationships with data-owners and formalise access to data by maritime archaeologists for the investigation of historic shipwrecks.
Uses of the data include; site monitoring, interpretation, and general management of shipwreck sites along the coast of Victoria. Such data would be of particular value in investigating sites that lie beyond the safe working depths for divers.
Historic shipwreck access survey
This project conducted a survey of Victorian divers to ascertain which wrecks they dive and which sites are the most popular.
Dive charters, clubs, informal groups and individuals were approached to participate in the survey. Benefits of obtaining this data will include improved knowledge of diver pressure on wrecks and increased contact and cooperation with cultural tourism businesses, volunteers, and community organisations. The information will help improve management of historic shipwrecks in Victoria.
Wrecks on the Reef
A runaway success! The reefs that flank the treacherous jaws of Port Phillip Heads in Victoria claimed a lion's share of ships, leaving us today with a legacy of forty historic shipwrecks. Released: 2006, 84 pages. Limited copies available from Heritage Victoria.
Sealing and Whaling Sites in Victoria
Based on primary historical and survey data, this definitive account surveys terrestrial archaeological remains of former sealing and whaling sites. It reveals what remains of the two earliest European industries in Victoria. Released: 1997, 40 pages. No longer in print.
Time and Tide
A guide to the wreck of the barque William Salthouse, which sank after striking a rock on its way through the Rip at Port Phillip Heads in 1841. This book describes the site, archaeology and stabilisation of the wreck in a mobile sand environment using artificial seagrass mats. Price: Free, Released: 1991, 32 pages. Limited copies available from Heritage Victoria.
Clonmel - Disaster to Discovery
A guide to the wreck of the luxury wooden paddle steamer Clonmel, which sank in 1841 on a sandbar at the entrance to Port Albert. It had been intended to foster trade between different ports in the Colonies. Its loss was a blow to the settlement of Melbourne, only six years old, but the wreck led to the discovery of Port Albert, a critical factor in opening the East Gippsland region up to trade and pastoralism.
Price: Free, Released: 1999, 28 pages. No longer in print.
Silts in the Sight Glass
Discover the historic shipwreck SS City of Launceston. This luxury Bass Strait passenger and cargo ship sank in Port Phillip Bay in 1865, and was found again in 1980. This beautifully produced book contains maps, underwater photos and a gripping story of maritime archaeologists uncovering the Launceston's secrets.
Price: Free, Released: 2000, 70 pages. No longer in print.
SS City of Launceston is on the Victorian Heritage Register.
Dive information sheets
Dive information sheets contain a map and notes on the diving conditions on a list of historic shipwrecks in Victoria.
Victoria's coastal waters and bays offer opportunities for divers which are hard to beat. Apart from the state's spectacular marine life, Victoria can claim an underwater cultural heritage unequalled anywhere else in Australia.