Shipwreck Databases Western Australian Museum

Management Plan for the Historic Shipwreck Hokitika 1871-1872

Author/s D. Garratt

Year of publication 1983

Report Number: 62

Summary
The purpose of the Management Plan is twofold. Firstly, to assess and describe the heritage significance of the historic shipwreck, Hokitika. Secondly, to provide appropriate strategies for the management of the wreck site and its associated artefacts if and when the vessel is located.

This document is divided into four parts.

Part 1 outlines the scope of the Historic Shipwrecks Act and the responsibilities of instrumentalities and individuals in the administration of the Act.

Part 2 places the Hokitika in its historical context with a brief history of the vessel and the wrecking event. A summary of the inquiry into the circumstances of the wrecking is given, followed by a description of the probable wreck area. The information outlined in Part 2 provides the basis for the assessment of cultural significance in Part 3. A Statement of Significance is derived from the assessment process.

The plan highlights various constraints, possible threats and research opportunities which may affect the archaeological and stmctural integrity of the wreck.

Part 4 provides a general statement of management policy and recommendations for implementation of the policy.