A SHIPWRECK found in September last year has been confirmed by the Western Australian Museum as the earliest known shipwreck discovered in the Swan River.
The wreck is a barge that was lost in a storm in 1882 whilst carrying limestone from Fremantle to Perth. The barge was reportedly owned by one Mr Dearden.
The shipwreck was initially discovered by Maritime Archaeology Association of Western Australia president Patrick Morrison and his colleagues Jess Green and Ian McCann, aided by detailed 3D multibeam surveys of the Swan River riverbed that were publicly released by the WA State Government.
The sonar data reportedly showed “lumps and bumps” on the relatively flat riverbed, and using this data and their own sonar, Mr Morrison and his colleagues chose to dive the site for further confirmation.
The wreck is historically significant, as it demonstrates the importance of the use of barges on the Swan River for transporting bulk cargoes between Fremantle and Perth in the 19th century, prior to the introduction of motorised vehicles.
Significant archaeological value is also found in the wreck, as its intact condition reveals key information such as the layout and means of transporting stone aboard a typical Swan River barge.
A large ceramic demijohn, a kind of flagon typically used to hold wine, was found on the wreck site and removed by the WA Museum where it will be preserved.
The WA Museum says key elements to assist the identification process included the style of the wreck, its location and depth, and newspaper articles from the time about the wreck in a storm.
The WA Museum acknowledged it is unfortunate there is low viability at the wreck site, but said those “brave enough” are welcome to dive and take a look, provided they don’t anchor or remove artefacts from the site, as it is protected.
WA Minister for Culture and the Arts David Templeman said he commends the outstanding work of the WA Museum and Maritime Archaeology Association of WA for integrating state-of-the-art search technology and historical research to find and identify the historic wreck.
“WA has a rich maritime history with more than 1600 ships wrecked off our vast coastline. It is exciting to see how new technology is unveiling further glimpses into our maritime history,” Mr Templeman said.
