Grecian Shipwreck, North Haven, SA | Photographs: |  | | List: | Register of the National Estate | | Class: | Historic | | Legal Status: | Registered (11/08/1987) | | Place ID: | 6303 | | Place File No: | 3/02/021/0030 | | Statement of Significance: | | Historically significant as the first known shipwreck in South Australia and believed to be the earliest known example of Muntz hull cladding. Of historical and archaeological significance as the remains of this 518 ton wooden hull barque provide important evidence on the construction of vessels from the period around 1840. | | Official Values: Not Available | | Description: | | The Grecian, built in 1841, was wrecked off the Port Adelaide river in 1850. One life was lost. A substantial amount of the cargo was salvaged shortly afterwards and in 1872 most of the wreck was recovered, though some of it (probably part of the stern) remained as did a portion of the cargo. The remaining part of the ship and cargo lay undisturbed until the 1960s when increasing numbers of divers began visiting the site, many of them souveniring relics from the wreck. The main body of the wreck site lies in six metres of water approximately 150m from Outer Harbour breakwater. The cargo remaining in the wreckage is damaged but identifiable with the era of the vessel`s loss. | | History: Not Available | | Condition and Integrity: | | The site is at considerable risk due to its easy accessibility (being in sheltered water only one kilometre from a boat ramp). Souvenir hunters have disturbed the site. Some cargo, such as roofing lead, is of significant value to unscrupulous collectors. The wreck and cargo have also been extensively damaged by the natural elements. In 1979 the Society for Underwater Historical Research planned to survey and excavate the wreck, however the project did not proceed. A plaque has now been mounted at the wreck site and the site has been incorporated within an underwater heritage trail. No further excavation work on the wreck is planned (as at June 1989). | | Location: | | Approximately 16ha, located on the seabed 2km west of North Haven, and defined as the area of seabed enclosed by a circle of radius 250m centred at lat. 34D 47` 30" S., Long. 138D 28` 00" E., but excluding that part on the northwest side which falls within the breakwater channel. | | Bibliography: | ANNUAL REPORT - SOCIETY FOR UNDERWATER HISTORICAL RESEARCH INC.
MAGAZINE WATER SPORT, MARCH 1974.
ADELAIDE "ADVERTISER" 4 JULY, 1979, P. 1
UNDERWATER SURVEY PLAN AT DECEMBER 1979, SOCIETY FOR UNDERWATER HISTORICAL RESEARCH INC. |
Report Produced: Tue Jan 30 23:41:28 2007 |
