Shipwreck at Lake Cathie - Office of Environment and Heritage · 2007-05-23 · Sydney) Admiral Gifford 1834/10/08 Schooner NSW - Other Port Macquarie to Sydney Unknown ... copper

Lake Cathie Wreck Inspection Report

Shipwreck at Lake Cathie

near Port Macquarie NSW

WRECK INSPECTION REPORT

October 2005

NSW Heritage Office Maritime Heritage Program PARRAMATTA 2005

Report produced with the assistance of the Commonwealth Department of Environment and Heritage Canberra

Report prepared by Cathy Fisher


Report Prepared October 2005 copy NSW Heritage Office Parramatta NSW AUSTRALIA The material contained within may be quoted with appropriate attribution Disclaimer Any representation statement opinion or advice expressed or implied in this publication is made in good faith but on the basis that the State of New South Wales its agents and employees are not liable (whether by reason of negligence lack of care or otherwise) to any person for any damage or loss whatsoever which has occurred or may occur in relation to that person taking or not taking (as the case may be) action in respect of any representation statement or advice referred to above Front cover Image of Lighthouse Beach looking north Photograph by David Nutley


TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

1 EXCUTIVE SUMMARY2

2 SURVEY AIMS 2

3 THE CONTEXT OF SHIPPING DISASTERS NEAR PORT MACQAURIE2

4 METHODOLOGY4 41 Background research4 42 Wreck Inspection 3

5 THE PHYSICAL SETTING5 51 Lake Cathie south of Port Macquarie 5

6 LEGISLATIVE CONTROLS6

7 THE SITE ndash ITS POSSIBLE ORIGINS6 71 Contenders4

72 The Remains 5

73 Previous Research 6

8 CURRENT FIELDWORK RESULTS8 81 Location8 82 Environmental context 8 83 Discussion of survey results9

9 ASSESSMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE 10 91 Introduction10 92 Attributes of Significance 10 93 Statement of Heritage Significance12

10 MANAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES ndash DISCUSSION12 101 Conservation 13 102 Display and public access13 103 Management recommendations14


11 CONCLUSIONS ndash FURTHER RESEARCH14

12 BIBLIOGRAPHY 16

TABLE OF FIGURES Figure 1 marked wreck site location Map from the Penguin NSW Road Directory Penguin Book Australia Ltd Victoria 1998 1 Figure 2 Lighthouse Beach looking north 6 Figure 3 Lighthouse Beach looking south towards the observed wreck remains Coffee Rock platform exposed in the intertidal zone 7 Figure 4 Metal fragments embedded in the Coffee Rock at wreck site 7 Figure 5 Section of short timbers 9 Figure 6 Possible corroded chain link 9


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The NSW Heritage Office would like to acknowledge Mr John O Callaghan who informed the Heritage Office of the wreck at Lake Cathie Mr Phil Bowman NSW Wreck Spotter also provided on-going assistance throughout the project and assisted the Heritage Office in the field inspections


1

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Mr John OrsquoCallaghan notified the Heritage Office in January 2004 of the remains of an unidentified wreck at Lake Cathie south of Port Macquarie NSW The wreck exposed during an extreme low tide was located towards the southern end of Lighthouse Beach north of the entrance to Lake Cathie This report details two subsequent inspections of the wreck site by the NSW Heritage Office in July 23 and November 24 2004 The remains consisted of dark timbers and fragments of metals randomly embedded in the local Coffee Rock formation The wreck site was scattered along the intertidal zone for a distance of c200 metres A number of vessels are known to have foundered off the coastline south of Port Macquarie However the remains at Lake Cathie provides no immediate evidence of the vesselrsquos identity To aid the identification process a sample of shipwreck timber was removed for species identification analysis This was subsequently undertaken in August 2005 by the Forestry Research Unit of the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries The results identify the wood as a northern hemisphere True Oak species (Quercus sp) This implies the vessel was not built in Australia Further research and archaeological investigation is required to determine the vesselrsquos identity

Figure 1 marked wreck site location Map from the Penguin NSW Road Directory Penguin Book Australia Ltd Victoria 1998


2

2 SURVEY AIMS Following notification of the remains of a wreck at Lake Cathie the Heritage Office undertook a site inspection on two occasions July 23 and November 24 2004 These initial inspections sought to

bull record the exact location of the wreck on the shores of Lighthouse Beach bull undertake a general survey of the extent and layout of the wreck site bull gain an understanding of the complexity and state of the site including the nature of

archaeological remains and bull gain any additional information that would aid in the identification of the wreck

3 THE CONTEXT OF SHIPPING DISASTERS NEAR PORT MACQUARIE A preliminary examination of available historical records indicated that several coastal vessels have been lost in the Port Macquarie area The following list includes vessels known to have been lost in the vicinity of Port Macquarie and is derived from the NSW Heritage Office Historic Shipwreck Database


3

Site Title Date Wrecked Type Region Where Lost Where

Constructed Comments

Naomi 18800926 Schooner Mid North Coast

Port Macquarie seen near

Brisbane Water NSW (1872)

Also appears as Namoi and Meomi

Port Macquarie Packet

183507 Schooner Mid North Coast

Port Macquarie ashore

Unknown

Woodpecker 1866 Schooner Mid North Coast

Port Macquarie Tacking Pt beached near (Loney)

Havraya River within Colony of NSW (1854) (Register of British Ships 44 of 1854 Port of Sydney)

Admiral Gifford

18341008 Schooner NSW - Other

Port Macquarie to Sydney

Unknown

Emmeline 18800619 Ketch Mid North Coast

Camden Haven and Port Macquarie between


Fairy 183406 Cutter NSW - Other

Sydney to Port Macquarie between

The Certificate of British Registry (No 5 of 1829) notes the vessel was built at Sydney in 1828

Korora 19170310 Schooner Mid North Coast

Port Macquarie Tacking Pt on bch to south

Auckland New Zealand

Spelt as Karora in press

Mary Ann 18250413 Schooner Mid North Coast

Port Macquarie southward

Unknown Stranded on the same spot as the Lady Nelson and other vessels See also the Sally

Sally 18250413 Schooner Mid North Coast

Port Macquarie entrance

Unknown Sank with the Mary Ann

Information extracted from NSW Heritage Office web site Maritime Heritage Online httpmaritimeheritagenswgovau While not always providing specific details the contemporary records tend to provide information on when and where the vessel was constructed and where the vessel was lost


4

Both factors are important in extrapolating the possible identification of the unknown vessel remains at Lake Cathie The species identification analysis also provides additional information The results imply the vessel was not Australian built leaving the Port Macquarie Packet Admiral Gifford Korora Sally and Mary Ann for further consideration A contemporary report of the loss of the Port Macquarie Packet records the vesselrsquos difficult voyage to Sydney South of Port Macquarie it was ldquocompelled to put in to Sugar Loaf and Crowdie Baysrdquo and the schooner was ldquodestroyed on the beach nothing being saved but her copper-bolts and iron-workrdquo (Shipping News 9 July 1835) This would put the wreck event south of the study site The Mary Ann and Sally were two of three vessels (the other being the Brisbane) that came to grief while attempting to leave Port Macquarie on April 13 1825 On reaching the outer bar the wind shifted driving the ships into Nelsonrsquos Bight The Mary Ann was driven onto the rocks further south and was destroyed (Bateson 197269) A contemporary report in the ldquoShipping Newsrdquo similarly states the Mary Ann was ldquototally wreckedrdquo (1835 May 5) The Sally was also driven onto the rocks further north of the Mary Ann where it became wedged It appears the ship was ordered to be ldquobroken uprdquo so everything of value could be saved (Bateson 197269) A letter from the Commandantrsquos Office at Port Macquarie details the incident in April 16 1825 The post script noted that the riggings ironworks copper and other stores were saved from the Sally The third vessel the Brisbane fared better Although initially blown onto rocks with the Sally and Mary Ann it was later refloated and saved Less information is known on the loss of the Admiral Gifford The Sydney Gazette in October 30 1834 records ldquogreat fears are entertained for the safety of the Admiral Giffordrdquo Later the Sydney Times (October 31) and Sydney Gazette (November 14) 1834 report that the ship had set sail six weeks previous from Port Macquarie The vessel had not reached its destination in Sydney and it was feared it may have foundered in a severe storm although the exact location is conjectural The final contender is the Korora The initial reporting of her loss in the Sydney Morning Herald March 12 1917 notes the vessel had made Tacking Point Lighthouse when it got into difficulties It was later ldquodriven ashore three miles south of the lighthouserdquo ldquothe vessel was washed high up on the beachrdquo The state of the vessel was reported a day later by the Daily Commercial News and Shipping List as being rdquohopeless for salvage water flows in and out of her on the rise and fall of the tiderdquo This description would equate with the location of the study site 4 METHODOLOGY 41 Background research The NSW Heritage Office has since 1988 assembled historic reference materials related to the loss of ships along the NSW coast as part of the NSW Historic Shipwreck Database That information is accessible via the internet through the Heritage Officersquos Maritime Heritage Online web site httpmaritimeheritagenswgovau


5

42 Wreck Inspection Wreck Inspection The wreck inspections involved a general survey of the site noting the scale layout orientation and complexity of the wreck site The exact location was recorded using a GPS The survey was a pre disturbancersquo investigation only No surface exposed features were disturbed Future disturbance of this historic fabric would require standard approvals under relevant legislation professional supervision conservation support funding etc Inspections were undertaken on July 23 2004 by the Heritage Office Maritime Archaeologist David Nutley in company with Mr Phil Bowman and again in November 24 2004 by Maritime Archaeologists David Nutley and Tim Smith accompanied by John OrsquoCallaghan and Phil Bowman Photography The wreck structure was photographed with a digital camera during the site inspection Photographs included a record of the visible remains exposed during the inspection and landscape shots of the sitersquos location on the shore-line of Lighthouse Beach Research Research sources examined for this report involved a search of the historic reference materials related to the loss of ships along the NSW coast as part of the NSW Historic Shipwreck Database It is important to note that the identified shipwreck events in the general vicinity of the observed site do not comprise the total possible site probabilities Many other vessels have been lost along the NSW coast between their departure point and intended destination and could also have ended up wrecked within the study area 5 THE PHYSICAL SETTING 51 Lighthouse Beach south of Port Macquarie The waters along the southeast coast of New South Wales form part of the significant eastern Australian seaboard trading route Due to a variety of factors a number of vessels have been wrecked or damaged in shipping accidents Depending on where an incident occurred a vessel could have been recovered partially salvaged or totally lost to the actions of sea swell and physical collapse The wreck is located towards the southern end of Lighthouse Beach near the northern headland that marks the estuarine inlet to Lake Cathie The lake is one of a series of small inland lakes found along the NSW coastline extending south from Port Macquarie towards the Manning River at Taree Lighthouse Beach stretches from the estuary inlet north towards Tacking Point The beach is relatively well exposed Tacking Point providing minimal shelter It consists of a predominately sandy shore interspersed with deposits of weathered Coffee Rock along its length


6

The above high water mark consists of a sand dune system that varies from a gradual to steep incline from the shore The dunes are partially covered with vegetation and appear subject to scouring during periods of high sea activity

Figure 2 Lighthouse Beach looking north Photograph by David Nutley

6 LEGISLATIVE CONTROLS Shipwreck sites and associated relics over seventy five (75) years of age in waters managed by the Commonwealth are protected from disturbance by the Commonwealth Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 Divers are free to visit these sites as long as they do not disturb or alter the sites in any way The majority of observed feature lie in the intertidal zone within the jurisdiction of the Historic Shipwreck Act 1976 Lighthouse Beach lies just outside the eastern boundary of Lake Innes Nature Reserve The Reserve is managed by the Department of the Environment and Conservation in accordance with the Lake Innes Nature Reserce Management Plan 1999 Although not within the confines of the park any future proposals for the wreck remains at Lake Cathie should take into consideration the management recommendations for the nature reserve 7 THE SITE ndash ITS POSSIBLE ORIGINS 71 Contenders Section 3 detailed nine vessels known to have been wrecked in the general vicinity of Lake Cathie and Port Macquarie Applying the results of the species identification analysis and historic research five vessels are considered as possible contenders Port Macquarie Packet Korora Admiral Gifford Sally and Mary Ann (where Australian Shipbuilding origins is not confirmed) A detailed review of available historic sources however indicate that both the Port Macquarie Packet and Mary Ann were completely destroyed in the vicinity of Crowdy Bay and Port Macquarie respectively Similar sources indicate that the Sally was likewise completely destroyed by a salvage operation after it was wedged on rocks south of the Port Macquarie entrance The complete destruction of the vessels and their recorded location


7

north and south of Lake Cathie suggest the 3 known wrecks are therefore unlikely contenders for the Lake Cathie remains Of the remaining known wrecks in the vicinity of Port Macquarie the Admiral Gifford remains as a possibility However little information is known on the vessel including its place of construction or its wreck location Similarly the Korora remains as a contender It was washed ashore three miles south of Tacking Point putting it within the vicinity of the wreck site Further historic research is required to refine a likely wreck location and material used in construction The New Zealand built Korora was the latest lost in 1917 Although unlikely to have been built with True Oak it cannot be discounted that such timbers were available to Southern Hemisphere shipyards by the early twentieth century The identification of the observed wreck site therefore remains unresolved

72 The remains The remains located at Lake Cathie are sparse and do not represent a substantial wreck site The remains consist of random fragments of wood and corroded metal Much of the material is embedded within the Coffee Rock platform which runs along the intertidal zone

Figure 3 Lighthouse Beach looking south towards the observed wreck remains Coffee Rock platform exposed in the intertidal zone

Photograph by David Nutley

Figure 4 Metal fragments embedded in the Coffee Rock at wreck site



8

The scattered in situ remains provide little evidence of the vesselrsquos identity although they do appear to comprise remnant ship timbers and fittings Considering the lack of diagnostic information a sample of wood was taken for species identification analysis This was undertaken in August 2005 by the Forestry Research Unit of the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries As noted the results identify the wood as a northern hemisphere True Oak species (Quercus sp) This implies the vessel was not built in Australia The majority of wrecks in the immediate region were known to have been constructed in NSW ports or by their early date of loss are similarly thought to have been built in Australia 73 Previous Research This site was previously unknown to the NSW Heritage Office The Heritage Office was made aware of the site in January 2004 by local resident Mr John O Callaghan Further information was provided by Mr OrsquoCallaghan on submission of an Underwater Cultural Heritage Reporting Form as part of the Heritage Officersquos Maritime Archaeology Program 8 CURRENT FIELDWORK RESULTS 81 Location The wreck site is at (Zone 56J) E486877 N6509843 (Datum WGS84) The wreck remains commence c180 metres north of the estuarine entrance to Lake Cathie and adjoining Lake Innes The wreck consisting of fragments of wood and corroded metal is found along the intertidal zone of Lighthouse Beach The scattering of material is found within an area extending c200 metres (north-south) and 60 metres (east-west) 82 Environmental context The remains are predominantly found embedded within the Coffee Rock formation Coffee Rock is a hard cemented organic to loamy sand with a high iron content The rock is previous sand dune material hardened and cemented over geological time The rock surface at Lighthouse Beach has been exposed and weathered into a flat platform The surface is pitted with numerous small holes (Smith et al 20004) Resting on and embedded with this material is the wood corroded iron remains and water-rolled pebbles Scattered fragments of metal are also partially covered by sand The shoreline is backed by a gradual to moderately inclined sand dune system The dunes are partially covered by vegetation which most likely protect the remains from being entirely covered by sand


9

83 Discussion of survey results The Archaeological footprint While some features like the scattered fragments of metal and remaining timbers are always visible other components are revealed at the whim of shifting sand cover and tides Being located within the intertidal zone of an exposed beach sand movement across the wreck remains occurs A visit after storm and sea activity can expose new sections of underlying remains or alternatively bury previously identified features of the site How much of wreck is left Very little of the wreck remains the material being randomly scattered within the intertidal zone The more obvious remains are found along 15 metres of the shore some 270 metres from the southern beach entrance These remains consist of a section of short timbers and a corroded chain link and miscellaneous iron-work The short timbers rest on the Coffee Rock and although weathered show evidence of being worked at one end Rusted metal is intertwined through the timbers and a badly corroded metal chain is also attached Directly south of the wood (c10ms) a possible chain link was located near a natural groove in the Coffee Rock platform It is also badly weathered and corroded The full extent of the item was not ascertained as it is partially covered by sand It is possible that additional wreck structure might be found in the adjacent surf zone The presence of a shipwreck site partially buried offshore would account for the scattered and fragmentary remains washed ashore at the study site and fused into the exposed reef structure through time Sea conditions and time constraints have not enabled a search in offshore water areas at this stage Such a search might be assisted by a metal detectormagnetometer survey

Figure 5 Section of short timbers The worked end is highlighted Photograph by Phil Bowman

Figure 6 Possible corroded chain link Photograph by David Nutley


10

9 ASSESSMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE 91 Introduction Significance has been assessed in accordance with the nature and degree of significance of the sitersquos primary attributes These include attributes related to historical social archaeological scientific and interpretative significance 92 Attributes of Significance Criterion (a) An item is important in the course or pattern of NSWrsquos cultural or natural history

Include Exclude

bull shows evidence of a significant human activity

bull has incidental or unsubstantiated connections with historically important activities or processes

bull is associated with a significant activity or historical phase

bull provides evidence of activities or processes that are of dubious historical importance

bull maintains or shows the continuity of a historical process or activity

bull has been so altered that it can no longer provide evidence of a particular association

Comment bull The significance of the wreck under this criterion has yet to be established Criterion (b) An item has strong or special association with the life or works of a person or group of persons of importance in NSWrsquos cultural or natural history

Include Exclude

bull shows evidence of a significant human occupation

bull has incidental or unsubstantiated connections with historically important people or events

bull is associated with a significant event person or group of persons

bull provides evidence of people or events that are of dubious historical importance


Comment bull The significance of the wreck under this criterion has yet to be established Criterion (c) An item is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics andor a high degree of creative or technical achievement in NSW

Include Exclude

bull shows or is associated with creative or technical innovation or achievement

bull is not a major work by an important designer or artist

bull is the inspiration for a creative or technical innovation or achievement

bull has lost its design or technical integrity

bull is aesthetically distinctive bull its positive visual or sensory appeal or landmark and scenic qualities have been more than


11

temporarily degraded bull has landmark qualities bull has only a loose association with a creative or

technical achievement bull exemplifies a particular taste style or

technology

Comment bull The significance of the wreck under this criterion has yet to be established Criterion (d) An item has strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group in NSW for social cultural or spiritual reasons

Include Exclude bull Is important for its associations with an

identifiable group bull is only important to the community for amenity

reasons bull is important to a communityrsquos sense of

place bull is retained only in preference to a proposed

alternative Comment bull The significance of the wreck under this criterion has yet to be established Criterion (e) An item has potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of NSWrsquos cultural or natural history

Include Exclude bull has the potential to yield new or further

substantial scientific andor archaeological information

bull the knowledge gained would be irrelevant to research on science human history or culture

bull is an important benchmark or reference site or type

bull has little archaeological or research potential

bull provides evidence of past human cultures that is unavailable elsewhere

bull only contains information that is readily available from another resource or archaeological sites

Comment bull Considering the lack of information on the site there is the potential to yield further

information from additional documentary research and archaeological investigations More detailed research is likely to aid in the identification of a wreck associated with the eastern Australian seaboard trading route

Criterion (f) An item possesses uncommon rare or endangered aspects of NSW cultural or natural history Include Exclude bull provides evidence of a defunct custom

way of life or process bull is not rare

bull demonstrates a process custom or other

human activity that is in danger of being lost

bull is numerous but under threat

bull shows unusually accurate evidence of a significant human activity

bull is the only example of its type bull demonstrates designs or techniques of

exceptional interest

bull shows rare evidence of a significant human activity important to a community


12

Comment bull The significance of the wreck under this criterion has yet to be established Criterion (g) An item is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of NSW cultural or natural places or cultural or natural environments Include

92111131 Exclude bull Is a fine example of its type bull is a poor example of its type bull has the principal characteristics of an

important class or group of items bull does not include or has lost the range of

characteristics of a type bull has attributes typical of a particular of way

of life philosophy custom significant process design technique or activity

bull does not represent well the characteristics that make up a significant variation of a type

bull is a significant variation to a class of items bull is part of a group which collectively

illustrates a representative type

bull is outstanding because of its setting condition or size

bull is outstanding because of its integrity or the esteem in which it is held

Comment bull The significance of the wreck under this criterion has yet to be established 93 Statement of Heritage Significance The wreck remains at Lake Cathie have the potential to yield further information from additional documentary research and archaeological investigations More detailed research is likely to aid in the identification of a wreck associated with the eastern Australian seaboard trading route 10 MANAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES ndash DISCUSSION Non-disturbance archaeological survey work undertaken to date indicate that the limited observed wreck remains at Lake Cathie consist of random scatterings of timber and corroded metal They provide little information on the wreckrsquos identity Remains are partially covered by sand and the full sub-surface extent of the site is not known Further archaeological investigation would be required to gain a fuller picture of the wreck extent The remains are located within the intertidal zone of the beach and become exposed during an extreme low tide The degree of exposure is also dependent on localised sand scouring This implies that the wreck remains on the one hand can be protected by natural processes while on the other also be open to detrimental natural weathering processes in scouring The exposure of the site in extreme low tide also implies the site is open to human interference Disturbance to the wreck from boat activity mooring etc is unlikely to occur unless further remains are located in the in-water area The remains are in an area not likely to be used for mooring In conclusion the greatest possible threat to the wreck remains arises from both natural and human activity (recovery of relics) One opportunity to limit possible damage to the wreck from the latter is to make the exact location available to the broader community


13

encouraging the appropriate care of the fragile site This will promote the importance of the wreck as an archaeological site and foster a higher level of interest in maintaining it intact Continued monitoring of the site in consultation with the Heritage Office could help protect its long-term survival 101 CONSERVATION The wreck site is not considered to be at a significant need of conservation assessment in the medium to long term Most timber shipwrecks reach a stable rate of natural deterioration in their contextual setting This activity is a complex interactive system that is impacted on by the type of substrate surrounding the site microbial activity the amount of natural sand cover action of waves and swell water temperature salinity dissolved Oxygen content pH effects of scouring patterns and marine growth coverage etc Left alone Historic Shipwrecks naturally breakdown over centuries in a normal pattern of reduction This process involves the slow deterioration of physical elements of the site and is part of the archaeological formation process It does not necessarily require human intervention to arrest The most significant threat to Historic Shipwrecks derives from gross human interaction that acts to destabilise either the substrate or seabed surrounding the site (eg through development projects such as dredging cable laying and trenching) removal of the protective marine growth covering a site (eg via anchor dragging damage lsquocleaningrsquo of relics for observation or through the removal of relics) and thus impacting on active corrosionbiological rates and subsequent reduction of the archaeological potential of the site The Heritage Office promotes sound interacting with complex underwater heritage sites by treating them as lsquomuseums near or beneath the searsquo All visitation should aim to promote the qualities of the site by employing sound visitation protocols and careful safe non-disturbance practices No relics can be removed from the site except in accordance with the conditions of a Historic Shipwrecks excavation permit under the Historic Shipwreck Act 1976 102 DISPLAY AND PUBLIC ACCESS The Historic Shipwreck Act 1976 provides public access to cultural historical sites as long as the visitor does not disturb the heritage remains Promotion of our heritage through education is our strategic aim In this regard the Heritage Office has been proactive with the development of an Award-Winning Maritime Heritage Online web site lthttpmaritimeheritagenswgovaugt which incorporates the official NSW Historic Shipwrecks Database The Heritage Office organises Introduction to Maritime Archaeology Training Courses in conjunctions with the Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology (AIMA) and the Nautical Archaeology Society (NAS) in the UK These courses are open to divers and the general public and have produced a range of publications brochures and educational materials aimed at encouraging sound management of underwater cultural heritage and enjoyment of the resource


14

The wreck at Lake Cathie features on the Maritime Heritage Online web site which contains historic information on the loss and details of the current survey historic and current photographs of the site and video footage of the archaeological diving activities This report is also provided for visitors to the web site Mr Phil Bowan involved in the site recording is a designated NSW ldquowreck spotterrdquo This NSW Heritage Office initiative draws on the support of regionally-based heritage enthusiasts to assist in the documentation identification and promotion of maritime heritage sites in NSW The success of the program is seen in the valuable work undertaken by Mr Bowman at the Lake Cathie site 103 MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

1 copies of this report be placed in the Heritage Office Library and on the Maritime Heritage Online web site for ease of public access

2 copies of this report be forwarded to key local and State government agencies with management responsibilities in the vicinity of the site including the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council The National Parks and Wildlife Service and other interested parties

4 ongoing monitoring of the site by the local community in consultation with the

Heritage Office

5 Local historical societies organisations and individuals be encouraged where possible to further research the background of the wreck site and others thought to exist in the general region

11 CONCLUSIONS ndash further research

This report details recent field inspections to a wreck site at Lighthouse Beach south of Port Macquarie It does not aim to provide a comprehensive summary of the historical associations of the wreck The Heritage Office is aware that additional archival materials could be accessed for the site particularly details of individual voyages lost in the vicinity of the subject area as reported in contemporary newspapers A systematic search of these sources may provide additional information on the activities of these vessels and particulars on where vessels were originally constructed and eventually lost The present study of the wreck site has demonstrated a scope for further and ongoing study on numerous aspects of the site More archaeological detailed recording of the site is required Further documentary research on the history of shipwrecks in the vicinity of the study area is also required To date there is limited information on the possible identity of the vessel Due to the costs associated with archaeological recovery interpretation conservation display and ongoing storage of collections no current archaeological excavation of the site is planned


15

Such activity would require the prior approval of the Heritage Office through the granting of an Excavation Permit under the Historic Shipwreck Act Such approvals would require an approved archaeological research design justifying the reasons for disturbance to the site an approved excavation and conservation methodology and sound financial and professional support


16

12 BIBLIOGRAPHY Bateson Charles Jack 1972 Australian Shipwrecks Vol 1 1622-1850 Reed

Sydney p69-70 NSW Heritage Office 2005 Maritime heritage On-line website

httpmaritimeheritagenswgovau NSW Heritage Office 1996 Shipwreck Atlas of NSW 3rd Edition Register of British Ships 1829

1854 No 5 of 1829 44 of 1854 Port of Sydney

Smith D Ahern Col and Graham T

2004 ldquoThe Official Newsletter of the Australian Society of Soil Science Incrdquo Issue 121 p4

Newspaper Reports Sydney Morning Herald March 12 1917 Daily Commercial News and Shipping List March 13 1917 Ship News July 9 1835 Shipping News May 51835 Sydney Gazette October 30 1834 Sydney Times October 31 1834 Sydney Gazette November 14 1834


Report Prepared October 2005 copy NSW Heritage Office Parramatta NSW AUSTRALIA The material contained within may be quoted with appropriate attribution Disclaimer Any representation statement opinion or advice expressed or implied in this publication is made in good faith but on the basis that the State of New South Wales its agents and employees are not liable (whether by reason of negligence lack of care or otherwise) to any person for any damage or loss whatsoever which has occurred or may occur in relation to that person taking or not taking (as the case may be) action in respect of any representation statement or advice referred to above Front cover Image of Lighthouse Beach looking north Photograph by David Nutley


TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

1 EXCUTIVE SUMMARY2

2 SURVEY AIMS 2






72 The Remains 5







12 BIBLIOGRAPHY 16





1




2






3










Unknown




Admiral Gifford



Unknown



















4



5



6





7








8



9





10


Include Exclude








Include Exclude







Include Exclude







11



technology


























12













13



14





Heritage Office





15



16









TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

1 EXCUTIVE SUMMARY2

2 SURVEY AIMS 2






72 The Remains 5







12 BIBLIOGRAPHY 16





1




2






3










Unknown




Admiral Gifford



Unknown



















4



5



6





7








8



9





10


Include Exclude








Include Exclude







Include Exclude







11



technology


























12













13



14





Heritage Office





15



16










12 BIBLIOGRAPHY 16





1




2






3










Unknown




Admiral Gifford



Unknown



















4



5



6





7








8



9





10


Include Exclude








Include Exclude







Include Exclude







11



technology


























12













13



14





Heritage Office





15



16











1




2






3










Unknown




Admiral Gifford



Unknown



















4



5



6





7








8



9





10


Include Exclude








Include Exclude







Include Exclude







11



technology


























12













13



14





Heritage Office





15



16









1




2






3










Unknown




Admiral Gifford



Unknown



















4



5



6





7








8



9





10


Include Exclude








Include Exclude







Include Exclude







11



technology


























12













13



14





Heritage Office





15



16









2






3










Unknown




Admiral Gifford



Unknown



















4



5



6





7








8



9





10


Include Exclude








Include Exclude







Include Exclude







11



technology


























12













13



14





Heritage Office





15



16









3










Unknown




Admiral Gifford



Unknown



















4



5



6





7








8



9





10


Include Exclude








Include Exclude







Include Exclude







11



technology


























12













13



14





Heritage Office





15



16









4



5



6





7








8



9





10


Include Exclude








Include Exclude







Include Exclude







11



technology


























12













13



14





Heritage Office





15



16









5



6





7








8



9





10


Include Exclude








Include Exclude







Include Exclude







11



technology


























12













13



14





Heritage Office





15



16









6





7








8



9





10


Include Exclude








Include Exclude







Include Exclude







11



technology


























12













13



14





Heritage Office





15



16









7








8



9





10


Include Exclude








Include Exclude







Include Exclude







11



technology


























12













13



14





Heritage Office





15



16









8



9





10


Include Exclude








Include Exclude







Include Exclude







11



technology


























12













13



14





Heritage Office





15



16









9





10


Include Exclude








Include Exclude







Include Exclude







11



technology


























12













13



14





Heritage Office





15



16









10


Include Exclude








Include Exclude







Include Exclude







11



technology


























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Documents

Shipwreck at Lake Cathie - Office of Environment and Heritage · 2007-05-23 · Sydney) Admiral Gifford 1834/10/08 Schooner NSW - Other Port Macquarie to Sydney Unknown ... copper