Projects
The projects listed below are only a few of the research efforts that staff members of the Department of Maritime Archaeology are currently undertaking. The reports of other, equally interesting, projects can be found on the Department's publications section of this website.
HMA Submarines AEI and AE2
HMA Submarines AEI and AE2 were both lost in WWI and the
WA Museum has assisted the nation in each case. AE2, was lost in
the Dardanelles campaign, its story and importance in the ANZAC legend features
in the defence exhibit at the WA Maritime Museum. It has been found and
its condition analysed (Dr Ian MacLeod). Recommendations were made for its
in situ preservation in Turkey (Drs Ian MacLeod and Michael McCarthy). These
works are ongoing. AE1 was lost with all hands off Rabaul in PNG.
It has yet to be found. On the basis that the nation owes a debt to its
war dead and must take every step to explain how personnel were lost in
service, partly as an obligation to the bereaved, in c. 2002 WAM became
involved with those interested in locating the vessel. Advice, expertise
and experience in helping develop and coordinate a search were provided
(Dr Michael McCarthy). Similarly when a search was finally mounted remote-sensing
equipment and expertise were provided (Jeremy Green). Both are ongoing.
See for report: No. 247
The 2009 Magnetometer Search for the Australian Submarine AE1,
Rabaul Harbour, East New Britain. By J.N. Green, 2009.
Albany Town Jetty and Foreshore Redevelopment
The Western Australian Museum undertook Maritime archaeological survey work
on the Albany foreshore for Landcorp in 1994. This included extensive underwater
archaeological surveys, test-pits and excavations underneath and to the
east of the Town Jetty. In 2007, the Environmental Protection Authority
required a further Environmental Impact Assessment to incorporate the modified
foreshore development plan. This archaeological site assessment was carried
out in February 2008 by the Western Australian Museum's department of Maritime
Archaeology. Staff conducted a survey of the jetty, undertook remote sensing
of the harbour area and performed underwater test excavations to assess
the archaeological values of the area to be impacted. Surveying the Jetty
involved using the modern jetty piles as control points to then reference
the location of historic underwater jetty piles. Over a number of dives
staff undertook a reconnaissance on scuba to ascertain the number of old
piles below the jetty. A total of thirteen old piles were found underwater.
Further terrestrial archaeological monitoring on the foreshore area was
also required, as significant remains of the 19th century P&O floating dock
were believed to be in this area. After three days of remote survey work
the side scan sonar identified a number of small targets on the surface
of the seabed. None of these however proved to be the floating dock. Test
pit excavations were also undertaken reviling cultural material lying above
the sea grass bed layer, material found was mainly modern. Artefacts recovered
from the two excavation pits comprised of two modern beer bottles, a fragment
of potentially older green glass and small pieces of wood that could possibly
be small fragments or off-cuts from jetty construction work.
While in Albany, site inspections of the Cheynes II and Kingfisher
shipwrecks were also undertaken. Maritime archaeological survey using remote
sensing and excavation will also be required for the dredging and land reclamation
of the marina area. The WA Museum Department of Maritime Archaeology will
be involved in undertaking this work.
See for report: No. 232
Albany foreshore project. By J.N. Green (comp.), 2008.
Aviation Archaeology
See for more information: Broken
Wings (http://www.museum.wa.gov.au/collections/maritime/march/fallenangels/fallenangels.html)
Batavia Shipwreck: Study of the Batavia Ship's
Hull Remains
In February 2003, a project to study the archaeological hull remains of
Batavia (1629) started in collaboration with the Nautical Archaeology
Program of Texas A&M University in College Station (USA). The research strategy
for Batavia's hull? Study it spike by spike, hole by hole, and
timber by timber.
A replica of Batavia was built in the Netherlands in the 1980s
based on iconographic evidence, archival records, contemporary documentation
on shipbuilding, and what was known about the actual archaeological hull
remains. Nevertheless, Batavia's archaeological remains had yet
to be fully studied. As the conservation of the timbers was completed several
years after the completion of the replica, Batavia's hull remains
finally permitted detailed study. Key portions of the original hull, the
bow and keel for example, no longer exist, and, therefore, any reconstruction
of the ship will be partly conjectural. This project was designed to contribute
new and significant knowledge of shipbuilding technology in the 17th century.
Batavia provides one of our earliest glimpses of a Dutch East India
ship, and the analysis of its hull will be of great interest to students
and scholars in the fields of nautical archaeology, naval architecture,
and the history of the Dutch East India Company.
The primary research objective of the project was the detailed documentation
of the planks and frames of Batavia. Such documentation had not
been completed and it is imperative that it be made available to the nautical
community. The second objective was to determine Batavia's construction
sequence and assembly details; a process that culminated in the reconstruction
of Batavia's original design and appearance. The study was based
primarily upon existing hull remains, although contemporary archival material
was be used for comparison. The study of the Batavia hull timbers
was completed in May 2008 and the results presented in a Ph.D. dissertation.*
This dissertation is to be published by Texas A&M University Press in the
near future.
* W. van Duivenvoorde, The Batavia Shipwreck: An Archaeological
Study of an Early Seventeenth-Century Dutch East Indiaman. Ph.D. Dissertation,
Texas A&M University, 2008.
See for related publications:
W. van Duivenvoorde, "More than Just Bits of Hull: Expensive oak, laminate
construction, and goat hair. New insights on Batavia's archaeological
hull remains." Tijdschrift voor Zeegeschiedenis 28.2 (2009): 59-68,
72-73. See: http://www.aksant.nl/boeken/boek_814.asp.
W. van Duivenvoorde, "Capturing Curves and Timber with a Laser Scanner:
Digital imaging of Batavia." INA Quarterly 32.3 (2005):
3-6.
W. van Duivenvoorde, "Doppelte Standards. Zweifache Beplankung im niederländischen
Schiffsbau des späten 16. und frühen 17. Jahrhunderts." Skyllus,
Jahrgang 2002, Heft 2 (2005): 112-122.
And: The Verenigde Oostindische
Compagnie retourschip Batavia (http://www.museum.wa.gov.au/collections/maritime/march/shipwrecks/Batavia/batavia.html)
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Batavia Shipwreck: Analyses of Human Skeletal Remains
Associated with the Batavia Mutiny of 1629
The wrecking of the Batavia and the ensuing massacre is well documented in both Australian non-fiction and scientific literature. The location of the massacre is one of Australia's earliest known historical archaeological sites, having occurred well before European colonisation. This project is designed to both contribute new and significant knowledge of events surrounding the mutiny, and to better understand the general life standards of these seafaring 17th-century European peoples. Principal investigator: Dr Daniel Franklin.
The current principal aims are to establish the following:
1. Sex determination of skeletal elements, using molecular DNA analysis;
2. Maternal and paternal lineages, using genetic markers from DNA of the multiple burial individuals to establish any familial relationships, i.e. whether the victims are members of the Predicant's family;
3. Commingled remains, using DNA analysis to conclusively associate disarticulated remains;
4. Isotopic analysis of diet, using carbon/nitrogen isotope analysis of bone collagen.
Report and publications pending
See for related publications:
P. Yahya. DNA Analysis of Human Skeletal Remains Associated with the Batavia Mutiny of 1629. MA Thesis, Centre for Forensic Science, University of Western Australia, 2008. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2009.0034/?
D. Franklin and L. Freedman. "A Bioarchaeological Investigation of a Multiple Burial Associated with the Batavia mutiny of 1629." Records of the Western Australian Museum 23: 77-90 (2005).
And previously released reports:
No. 231 Batavia Skeletal Research. Bone Chemistry Analyses of (BAT) A15508 + (BAT) A15831: Interim technical report for the Australian National Maritime Museum Sydney. By D. Franklin and M. Stanbury, 2007.
No. 134 Preliminary results of an investigation of the human skeletal remains excavated on Beacon Island, associated with the mutiny of the Batavia in 1629. Recommendations for further research. By J. Pasveer, 1997.
No. 133 Let's Face It! The 7th Scientific Meeting of the International Association for Craniofacial Identification, Melbourme, Victoria, Australia 30 September-4 October 1997. By M. Stanbury, 1997.
No. 112 Report on the excavation of skeleton SK5, a victim of the Batavia massacre of 1629, Beacon Island, Western Australia. By M. Gibbs, 1996.
The Broome Aircraft Wrecks
See for more information: Treasures
from the deep (http://www.museum.wa.gov.au/collections/maritime/march/treasures/broome/broome.html)
de Freychinet, Rose and Louis (Uranie)
See for more information: Treasures
from the deep (http://www.museum.wa.gov.au/collections/maritime/march/treasures/uranie/defreycinet.html)
Galle Harbour, Sri Lanka Maritime Archaeological Impact Assessment
Following discussions between the Sri Lankan Department of Archaeology (SLDA)
and Department of Maritime Archaeology, Western Australian Museum (WAM),
WAM was engaged as a consultant to undertake a maritime archaeological survey
of Galle Harbour as part of an Archaeological Impact Assessment (AIA) process
in 2007. The scope of the consultancy was to carry out a maritime archaeological
survey, and provide a report to the SLDA outlining the impact of the proposed
Galle port development on the underwater cultural heritage of Galle Harbour.
WAM has been involved in maritime archaeological investigations in Galle
Harbour since 1992. Previous work includes: remote sensing surveys, site
inspections and excavation of shipwrecks. Remote sensing and diving search
projects undertaken in 1992, 1993 and 1996 resulted in the location of a
range of significant maritime heritage sites in the harbour including Arab-Indian
stone anchors, the VOC wrecks of the Avondster (1659) and Hercules
(1661) and 19th century iron steamship wrecks. Due to advances since 1997
in position-fixing and remote sensing techniques, it was necessary to resurvey
the proposed port development area to accurately position and identify possible
sites to be impacted by the development. Existing GPS positions were only
accurate to 200 m as a result of GPS Selective Availability (decommissioned
in 2000).
See for report:
No. 235 Galle Harbour Maritime Archaeological Impact Assessment.
By R. Anderson, J.N. Green, C. Souter, 2007.
Geographe Bay Remote-Sensing Survey
In February 2009, the Department of Maritime Archaeology undertook a remote-sensing
survey of Geographe Bay in Western Australia. The main objective of this
fieldwork was the search for the US whalers Governor Endicott (1840)
and Halycon (1844). No promising sites were found in the search
area for these two US whalers; it is believed that modern boat moorings
are in the area of the wrecks that would mask any likely targets.
It is, however, known from historical records that another American whaler
Geffrard was lost on 12 June 1875 in the vicinity Quindalup Jetty.
Archdeacon's map of the area, made in 1876, marks a wreck north-east of
Quindalup jetty. A magnetometer survey of this area has indicated a large
magnetic anomaly about 500 m south of the position calculated from the 1876
Archdeacon map. This magnetic anomaly maybe the Geffrard wreck
site, but needs further assessment as there is no evidence of a wreck on
the surface. The shipwreck may be buried and test excavations may provide
more conclusive evidence of the site's identification in the near future.
Report pending
George Grey's Whalers Project
Finders in Kalbarri, Western Australia, discovered lead shot as well as
a lead fitting in the sand dunes of one of the local beaches. These were
believed to be associated with the explorer George Grey who was wrecked
in the vicinity in 1839. In October 2005, the site was inspected by a staff
from the Department of Maritime Archaeology, Western Australian Museum,
as a result of this discovery, which was reported to the Department. Two
other sites, which contained bone fragments, were also recorded because
these were in close proximity to the site where the archaeological finds
were first discovered.
See for reports:
No. 210 George Grey's whalers.
By J.A. Rodrigues (comp.), 2005.
And: J.A. Rodrigues and R. Prall. "Archaeological evidence thought to be associated with George Grey and his early explorations of the Western Australian coast." Australasian Historical Archaeology 27 (2009): In press. Sydney: Australasian Society for Historical Archaeology (ASHA).
The James Matthews Shipwreck Project
See for more information: Treasures
from the deep (http://www.museum.wa.gov.au/collections/maritime/march/treasures/matthews_main.html)
Kimberley Region Historic Shipwrecks and Maritime Heritage Project
The maritime archaeology department is involved in a Commonwealth funded
desktop project to identify shipwrecks for the proposed National Heritage
Listing of the Kimberley. A report was supplied to DEWHA (Commonwealth)
on the significance values of the Kimberley Region historic shipwreck resource
in May 2009. There are approximately 350 shipwrecks reported in archival
sources as lost in the Kimberley region, of which positions of only 15 are
known. The desktop analysis is considered Stage 1 of the Kimberley investigation.
Stage 2 will involve a remote sensing and physical survey of sites in the
Bonaparte Archipelago. Archaeologists will join the department of aquatic
zoology which has been sponsored by Woodside to undertake field surveys
in this region. While this project is a direct result of the recent National
Heritage Listing nomination of the Kimberley region it is also a State Government
priority following the proposal to locate an LNG hub at James Price Point.
There are 64 vessels reported lost between Broome and the mainland coast
directly south of Carnot Bay (Cape Bertholet) and another nine lost somewhere
off the north west coastal pearling grounds. The majority comprise pearling
vessels (luggers, ketches) dating from the 1860's onwards. None of these
sites have been physically located. Many of these vessels were lost in the
periodic cyclones which proved devastating to fleets working the pearling
grounds. If given enough warning that a cyclone was in the offing, most
ship masters would have made a run for the mainland to seek shelter in many
of the creeks and discrete anchorages along the Dampier Peninsula. As such,
while we can anticipate that some shipwrecks may occur in deep water, it
is highly probable that many sites will be found in shallow water coastal
contexts. Similarly, the inshore waters north of Broome extending through
to the Lacepedes have historically known pearling beds, some of which are
still in use today.
See for reports:
No.
244 Vol. 1/4. Significant values of the Kimberley Region Historic Shipwreck
Resources. By C. Souter, 2009.
No.
244 Vol. 2/4. Significant values of the Kimberley Region Historic Shipwreck
Resources. By C. Souter, 2009.
No.
244 Vol. 3/4. Significant values of the Kimberley Region Historic Shipwreck
Resources. By C. Souter, 2009.
No.
244 Vol. 4/4. Significant values of the Kimberley Region Historic Shipwreck
Resources. By C. Souter, 2009.
And: Marine Life of North
Western Australia (http://www.museum.wa.gov.au/kimberley/)
National Heritage Listing websites: Cape Inscription/Batavia
In 2006 the Australian Government approved Gifts to the Nation to celebrate
the National Heritage Listing of the Cape Inscription and Batavia
sites. The aim of the Gifts to the Nation is to help tell the wider national
heritage story, of which listed places are a part, to the Australian public
as a whole.
The Western Australian Museum received a grant in 2006 to conduct an archaeological
survey and excavation on Dirk Hartog Island and further investigate land
sites associated with the Batavia. In order to communicate the heritage
significance of the two listed sites, and the results of the research and
archaeological work undertaken by the Museum, a new website was launched
in 2008. This details the principal heritage sites on Dirk Hartog Island
that were investigated by the Museum within, and outside of, the Cape Inscription
National Heritage Listed area, including the Hartog and de Vlamingh memorial
site; the de Saint Aloüarn 1772 annexation site; the Persèvèrant
survivors' campsite; Quoin Bluff military encampment and Notch Point pearling
sites. Links to the individual sites provide more detailed information.
There is also a comprehensive bibliography and link to the published report
on the 2006 work.
The Batavia link provides a comprehensive background to the history
of the wreck and the more recent research and investigations (1999-2007)
by museum staff of land sites associated with the Batavia. These
include the archaeological excavation and forensic investigations of the
mass burial on Beacon Island; and, the remote sensing surveys of Long Island.
The website combines a visual and informative experience for visitors and
clearly promotes the scientific work undertaken by the Museum with the aim
of protecting the nationís cultural heritage.
See for reports:
No. 224 Report on
the 2007 Western Australian Museum, Department of Maritime Archaeology,
Batavia National Heritage Listing Archaeological Fieldwork. By
C. Souter (ed.), 2007.
No. 223. Report on the 2006 Western Australian Museum, Department of
Maritime Archaeology, Cape Inscription National Heritage Listing Archaeological
Survey. Special Publication No. 10, Australian National Centre of Excellence
for Maritime Archaeology. By J.N. Green (ed.), 2007. (Not available online:
can be purchased via WA Museum)
And: National Heritage Listing - Gifts to the
Nation (http://www.museum.wa.gov.au/collections/maritime/march/DHI-site/nhl.html)
Ningaloo Reef Fieldwork
The 2008 Ningaloo Reef Fieldwork expedition was to take advantage of flat
swell conditions to revisit the sites of the Portuguese despatch vessel
Correio da Azia(1816), Croatian barque Stefano (1875),
and to inspect other Ningaloo Reef sites including the America China trader
Rapid (1815), SS Perth (1887), the abandoned Norwegian
Bay whaling station and collapsed Fraser Island lighthouse.
The Correio da Azia was only recently discovered in 2004 by the
WA Museum in collaboration with Fugro who flew an airborne magnetometer
survey in 2004. Approximately 900 silver coins concreted in a clump were
recovered by a Museum team at this time. During the 2008 expedition, underwater
mapping work was carried out and an anchor was identified on the site.
The Stefano wrecksite was located by the WA Museum in 1997 and
further work was necessary to determine the extent of this large site. The
site has historical significance as only two boys, Baccich and Jurich, survived
with the assistance of Aboriginal people for almost six months before being
rescued. It is a well known story in Croatia and one of Western Australiaís
most dramatic shipwreck survivor stories. New elements of the site, including
an anchor and windlass, were discovered and contributed to information about
the wrecking process and site formation.
Report pending
See for related publications:
Stefano Skurla. The Stefano Castaways. Translated by Amedeo Sala
and edited by John Melville-Jones. Mundaring: Warrigal Press, 2009.
And previously released reports:
No. 242 An examination of records relating to the position of the Correo de Azia, wrecked 26 November, 1816. By N. Erskine, 1996.
No. 186 Wreck Inspection Report. Ningaloo mid-19th century unidentified. M. Gainsford, 2004.
No. 185 Wreck Inspection Report. Correio da Azia Lost: 26 November 1816. By C. Souter, 2004.
No. 179 The search for the Correio da Azia. By J.N. Green, 2003.
Private collections and their impact on Australia's maritime heritage
In 1993, the Australian Government declared a nation-wide amnesty calling
for members of the public with any historic shipwreck relic or knowledge
of an historic wreck not yet found by authorities, to report these without
fear of prosecution. As a result, some 20,000 artefacts were declared and
about 30 'new' sites reported across Australia. Western Australia received
the highest number of artefacts declared. Some of these were donated to
WAM while others were retained in private custody. The WA Museum is responsible
for the maintenance of records on this collection including custody transfer
of artefacts between collectors. Shipwreck collections held in private custody
allows archaeologists to assess what has been removed from sites, how much
information was lost as a consequence, enhances information so far recorded,
and allows for a reinterpretation where possible.
See for related publications:
J.A. Rodrigues. "An amnesty assessed. Human impact on shipwreck sites: the
Australian case". The International Journal of Nautical Archaeology.
Vol. 38.1 (2009): 153-162. Oxford: Blackwell.
J.A, Rodrigues. "Evidence in the private sphere: assessing the practicality
of amnesties to record lost information." Archaeologies: Journal of
the World Archaeological Congress, vol. 5:1 (2009), pp. 92-109. USA:
Springer.
HMAS Sydney and HSK Kormoran
1. HMAS Sydney and HSK Kormoran were
located in March 2008. Since 1981 at least WAM has been a leading light
in leading Government and the various searchers towards their location.
It has also assisted and advised the RAN and its functionaries, a vast array
of individuals, researchers, authors, fellow museums, searchers and other
institutions to that end. Now the wrecks are found and the sites protected
under the 1976 Historic Shipwrecks Act, and subsequent to the promulgation
of the Commission of Inquiry (COLE) entry to the sites managed by the WA
Museum's CEO, Delegate to the Minister. Advice on this will come via the
HOD Department of Maritime Archaeology (Jeremy Green) and staff. Where requested,
assistance will continue be provided to the RAN, the SeaPower Centre, the
Defence Scientific and Technical Organisation and the Royal Institute of
Naval Architects in the analysis of the wreck survey results (Dr Michael
McCarthy). Staff (Dr Michael McCarthy) will continue to be accessed given
that the Museum's involvement and its files have been the constant in the
HMAS Sydney saga since 1976. The vast amounts of data gleaned from
the 2008 search and survey regime has been lodged with WAM and it will be
made available on by one of the nationís leading museums.
2. HSK Kormoran: During Easter holidays in 2007
nineteen year old Geraldton surfer Tom Goddard discovered the remains of
a handgun while diving to search for lost fishing lures at Red Bluff, Quobba
Station 130 km north of Carnarvon, Western Australia, and shortly afterwards
reported his find to the Western Australian Museum.
Subject to authentication the find was deemed to have state and national
significance as Red Bluff was a known landing spot for 57 survivors of the
HSK Kormoran German raider that engaged the Australian light cruiser
HMAS Sydney in a fierce battle off the Western Australian coast
on 19 November 1941, and resulted in both ships sinking each other.
Five days later 104 survivors from the Kormoran landed in two lifeboats
at Quobba Station, north of Carnarvon. They were found by Aboriginal stockmen
who went for help, following which they were captured and sent to prisoner
of war camps. At the time of their capture and surrender it was recorded
that they threw at least one, and possibly more weapons into the sea.
WA Museum archaeologist Ross Anderson and conservator Jon Carpenter returned
to Red Bluff with Tom Goddard to recover remaining parts of the weapon and
record the site. The pistol was examined and conserved by conservator Richard
Garcia with assistance from conservator Kalle Kasi and identified as a 1934
Model Mauser pocket pistol, and therefore associated with the Kormoran
survivors' landing at Red Bluff.
On the anniversary of the sinking of the HMAS Sydney in November
2008 as part of an HMAS Sydney related public program organised
by Geraldton Curator Catherine Belcher, WA Museum CEO Diana Jones presented
Tom Goddard with a finders award recognising his discovery and community
minded reporting of this significant find.
See for reports:
No. 243 An insight into the
Genesis and Evolution of the HMAS Sydney Controversy. Prepared for
the HMAS Sydney II Commission of Inquiry. By M. McCarthy,
2009.
No. 230 A précis
of search-related events leading up to the commencement of the HMAS
Sydney Search. By M. McCarthy, 2008.
No. 226 The landing
of HSK Kormoran (1941) survivors at Red Bluff, Seventeen Mile Well,
Quobba Station. 2007 Red Bluff pistol find and Conservation and identification
of Red Bluff pistol. By R. Anderson and D. Garcia, 2007.
No. 200 Virtual Index of Maritime Archaeology Files (MA-630/81, Volumes 1-46) HMAS Sydney/HSK Kormoran. By T.J. McArthur, 2005.
No. 162 Shallow water search
options for HMAS Sydney /HSK Kormoran. By J.N. Green, 2001.
No. 143 HSK Kormoran related documents in the Military Archive Freiburg, Germany. A brief look at the German perspective of the sinking of HMAS Sydney. By J. Franke, 1998.
No. 131 The
Corpse in the Carley Float: An archaeological survey of the Christmas Island
Cemetary and the possible burial site of an HMAS Sydney sailor.
By M. Gibbs, 1997.
No. 115 With
All Hands. A study of the circumstances surrounding the loss of the 645
officers and men aboard HMAS Sydney in November 1941. By
W.J. Olson, 1996.
No. 104 HMAS
Sydney (1934-1941) possible and probably causes of her loss.
By W.J. Olson, 1995.
No. 071 HMAS
Sydney and HSK Kormoran: Possible and Probable Search Areas.
By K. Kirsner and S. Hughes, 1993.
No. 052 Papers from the HMAS Sydney Forum. By M. McCarthy and K. Kirsner (eds.), 1990.
The dendro-archaeology of seventeenth-century Dutch East Indiaman Vergulde Draak
This project commenced in February 2009 as an international research effort
to conduct a dendro-archaeological study of the hull remains from the Vergulde
Draak (1656) ship. It is a joined effort of the WA Museum in collaboration
with RING, the Dutch Centre for Dendrochronology. The principal investigator
is Dr Wendy van Duivenvoorde.
Unlike the well-known Batavia ship, no intact structure of Vergulde Draak's hull has ever been found. Nevertheless, hundreds of timber fragments from the ship itself have been retrieved from the seabed since its earliest archaeological excavation in 1972. These fragmentary remains are part of the WA Museum's collection and recently have been the subject of study.* Most of the fragments have been identified as hull planking, framing timber, wooden fasteners, and sacrificial planking or sheathing.
Although poorly preserved, the Vergulde Draak timber has an important
research value for the historic study of timber use and trade networks in
post-Medieval Europe. The dendrochronological, or tree-ring, study of the
Vergulde Draak timbers will provide clues to the ship itself, such
as the date when it was built (the Dutch United India Company bought the
already-existing ship in 1653) and where its wood came from (i.e., in what
European forest its wood was sourced). The latter is of particular importance,
as the Vergulde Draak ship was built in a period when a major shift
occurred in European timber markets. Concurrently, and perhaps consequently,
Dutch shipbuilders switched from bottom-based to frame-based construction.
The latter method better utilizes timber and is tolerant of lower quality
woods. This change may have resulted from the depletion of high-quality
oak timber sources in Poland, which forced the Dutch to acquire timber elsewhere
(Germany) and amend their shipbuilding practices. The results of the Vergulde
Draak's dendro-archaeological study may prove crucial to our understanding
of European forest sourcing and its relation to shipbuilding practices in
the mid-17th century. They will be used to test new hypotheses proposed
in a recent study on Dutch shipbuilding.*
* W. van Duivenvoorde. "Yacht Vergulde Draak (1656),"
in The Batavia Shipwreck: An Archaeological Study of an Early
Seventeenth-Century Dutch East Indiaman (Ph.D. Dissertation, Texas
A&M University, 8 August 2008), pp. 281-312.
The Zuytdorp Shipwreck Project
See for more information: Zuytdorp
(http://www.museum.wa.gov.au/collections/maritime/march/shipwrecks/Zuytdorp/Zuytdorp.html)
The Xantho Shipwreck Project
See for more information: The SS Xantho contents
(http://www.museum.wa.gov.au/collections/maritime/march/shipwrecks/Xantho/Xantho.html)
See for reports:
No. 171 A study of Eliza Broadhurst's 19th century “LITERARY CUTTINGS FROM ALL SOURCES” scrapbook. By A-J. Arnold, 2003.
No. 169 Xantho Gallery: 2004 Revaluation. By C. Green, 2004.
No. 161 A study of the life of Eliza Broadhurst 1839-1899 and her interest in the Women's Movement of Western Australia. By E. Parrott, 2001.
No. 158 The Xantho Exhibition Revisited at the Western Australian Maritime Museum. By J. GIlman, 2001.