The vessel
Amur was built in Sunderland, England in 1862 as Agnes Holt,
a 236-ton carvel-built composite barque with one deck, three masts and a
round stern. It was owned initially by W. Marmion and W. and G. Pearce of
Western Australia. The vessel was part iron framed, with iron beams, wooden
planking and yellow metal fastenings. A section of the flat area of the
floor was tree-nailed. The keel was English and American elm, the stem and
stern-post were English oak.
The vessel's construction was representative of a transitional period
of shipbuilding in the evolution from wooden to composite vessels. An unusual
feature were the fourteen pairs of iron straps riveted diagonally onto the
outside of the frame. Lloyd's classified the vessel as 'experimental'.
Originally Amur was purchased to help establish a whaling enterprise
in Western Australia. In 1883 Amur transported the Kimberely Survey
Party to the North-West after the loss of the SS Macedon. The vessel
played a major role in the settlement of the region (Cairns & Henderson,
1995:94). Having arrived in Carnarvon after a difficult voyage in March
1885 it was suggested in the press that if he 'wretched vessel' could make
it to Fremantle, it should be put to use in the harbour and not dispatched
any further.
The wreck event
The vessel was laid up in Careening Bay, Garden Island until 17 June
1887, when Fremantle experienced some strong gales. Amur drifted
ashore at Rockingham but appears in the listed vessels for Fremantle Harbour
until February 1888. In 1890 the derelict vessel's register was closed.
Salvage
Following the vessel's abandonment it is likely that Amur was
salvaged for the valuable yellow metal fastenings and ship's fittings, leaving
the iron work.
Site location
The site lies between Weld and Roe streets, south of Kwinana Grain Jetty,
North Rockingham Beach. It is approximately 50 metres south of where Weld
Street connects with the beach front between the high and low water marks.
Transit photographs show the vessel as it appeared in the surf zone in 1994. |
Site description
Last inspection (1 February 1994) of the site identified the vessel in
the surf zone, 10 metres out from the dune line almost completely covered
in sand. The bow of Amur was pointing to the north-east and the wreck
site was lying parallel to the shore line. Only the outline of the iron
ribs and frames were visible just above the sand level. Approximately half
of the length of the vessel was discernible.
Previous descriptions of the site report up to 28.72 metres (94.25 feet)
in length and 6.9 metres (22.75 feet) in breadth of iron work have been
revealed. The frames and deck beams form a rectangular pattern as shown
in the site plan. During winter storms the structure is subject to scouring
and is best viewed at these times.
Statement of significance
Historical
This site is of historical significance as the remains of a vessel that
was important in the development of the whaling industry and the opening
up of the North-West of Western Australia.
Archaeological
The site offers archaeological information that can reveal aspects of
a transitional period in shipbuilding and the change from all wood to composite
built vessels. The rules regarding the building of composites were not issued
until 1867 and Amur has several unusual features including the iron
straps (McCarthy & Robinson, 1989:76).
References
McCarthy, M. & Robinson, D., 1987, Amur notes, Department of Maritime Archaeology, Western Australian Maritime Museum, File No. MA 10/87.
Robinson, D. & N., 1987, notes & photographs, Department of Maritime Archaeology, Western Australian Maritime Museum, File No. MA 10/87.
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