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Shipwrecks and Underwater Archaeological Sites

Underwater archaeology

Remains of the Darra, Quail Island, Banks Peninsula. Built 1865 Picture: Steven McLachlan

Archaeological studies can provide valuable information that helps us to understand the past. The primary information studied by archaeologists is the surviving physical evidence of human activity. This evidence may be on or below the ground surface or, in some cases, underwater. Underwater archaeology is just that - archaeological studies of sites that are underwater. Sites can be in marine or fresh water and include shipwrecks, sunken waka (Mäori canoes), Mäori fish traps, the submerged remains of wharves and other structures or terrestrial sites that have since been covered by water.

Are shipwrecks protected by law?

Crowd at Mahanga Bay military camp open day, 1907. Picture: Alexander Turnbull Library 1/1 020238*

The sites of shipwrecks that occurred before 1900 are protected by the Historic Places Act 1993. The permission of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust must be obtained for any activity that could disturb the wreck or the surrounding site. Types of activity that may require permission include tourist operations, filming and salvage. The Act contains penalties for unauthorised disturbance. There is other legislation that may apply to maritime sites, such as the Marine Reserves Act and Regional and District Plans. If you are unsure about your legal obligations contact the Trust for advice.

Diving on wrecks

Archaelogical survey of Mahanga Bay wharf, Wellington. Picture: Mary O'Keeffe

Diving on wrecks can be a fascinating experience. Care should be taken when diving not to disturb or damage the wreck by breaking off pieces or kicking surfaces with fins. Reporting the position of newly found wrecks to the Trust can help to protect them and contribute important information about New Zealand's maritime history. Leaving the wreck site as you found it not only helps preserve New Zealand's heritage but also enables other divers to enjoy the experience.

New Zealand's oldest European shipwreck

After the Storm, 1882 John Gibb. Picture: Auckland City Art Gallery

New Zealand's oldest European shipwreck is the Endeavour. Not to be confused with Captain James Cook's ship, this Endeavour sank in 1795 in Dusky Sound, Fiordland. The Endeavour sailed from Port Jackson (Sydney, Australia) to provision a sealing gang based in Dusky Sound. Unfortunately it was not found to be seaworthy for the return trip and was abandoned there after being stripped of much of its fittings and timbers. In 1984 Kelly Tarlton recovered two of the cannons from the sea floor where they had been lost off a raft during the initial stripping of the ship.

Other underwater sites

Remains of Maori fish trap at Quail Island, Banks Peninsula. Picture: Michael Trotter and Beverley McGulloch

Many of New Zealand's coastal archaeological sites have an underwater component where the sites have been eroded by wave action and the remnants can only be seen at low tide, if at all. These sites include the remains of Mäori shell middens and oven sites on beaches and harbour margins. Remnants of old jetties and wharves can also sometimes be preserved in this way. These sites are evidence of former transport networks no longer in use. Other underwater sites can be more spectacular, such as the remains of part of the town of Cromwell, submerged by the creation of Lake Dunstan for hydro-electricity generation.

Preserving shipwrecks

SS Wairarapa shipwrecked at Great Barrier Island in 1894. WE Sorrell. Picture: Alexander Turnbull Library PA1-0-287-01*

A shipwreck is a special kind of archaeological site as it is a time capsule representing the particular moment in history when the ship was lost. There are over 2,000 shipwrecks in New Zealand's marine and fresh waters, but of these only about 150 have been accurately located.

Many wrecks hold important archaeological information about the circumstances surrounding the wreck, the lives of the people on board, the cargo and the construction and technology of the vessel . The relationship between different parts of the wreck and their contexts are very important. It is not just the artefacts and materials that provide information but also their relative positions to each other. Wrecks are therefore highly vulnerable to damage through disturbance.

The Edwin Fox at Picton. Built in 1853. Picture: NZHPT

Natural processes such as tides and currents can contribute to the decay and dispersal of the wreck over time. Diving on wrecks also has the potential to cause damage. Many shipwrecks in New Zealand have suffered irreparable harm caused by salvage activities and souvenir hunters removing items from the wrecks. Some artefacts require special conservation treatment to preserve them once they are removed from the water. Without the appropriate treatment they may disintegrate and be lost forever.

More information about shipwrecks and underwater archaeology:

Maritime Archaeological Association of New Zealand
www.maanz.wellington.net.nz

Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology
www.aima.iinet.net.au

Auckland Regional Council's Maritime Heritage activities
www.arc.govt.nz

* Photo: Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand / Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image

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