06/04/2005 - The final
identification of one of Australia's most
elusive shipwrecks will go ahead thanks to
funding announced by the Minister for the
Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell,
in Fremantle today.
"What is believed to be the earliest
Portuguese shipwreck off the Australian coast,
that of the sailing ship Correio da Azia,
was discovered last year after lying undisturbed
by humans for 188 years," Senator Campbell
said.
"It was only in 1988 that researchers
learnt that this vessel had been wrecked on
a Western Australian reef as it travelled
from Lisbon to Macau in 1816.
"The mystery of its whereabouts sparked
a 16-year quest to find its remains. This
finally ended last year when the results of
a magnetic survey of the area tipped off researchers
from the Western Australian Maritime Museum
about its possible location.
"Museum archaeologists later visited
the site and believe it to be the wreck of
the Correio da Azia. Although they recovered
some objects from the wreck, more are needed
to finally confirm its identity.
"Funding of $22,728 through the Australian
Government's Historic Shipwrecks Programme
will enable the Western Australian Maritime
Museum to conduct this fascinating research.
Divers will recover coins and artefacts from
the site.
"It is hoped that the recovered coins
will be dated, and if they are no later that
1816, then this will help to support the theory
that the wreck is that of the Correio da Azia."
Senator Campell said this research was one
of 40 shipwreck-related projects being funded
through the Historic Shipwrecks Programme,
nine of which are being coordinated by the
WA Maritime Museum with a total funding of
$65,640.
"Western Australia has a massive coastline
which stretches from the Timor Sea through
the Indian Ocean and down to the Southern
Ocean," Senator Campbell said.
"It is no surprise that more than 1400
shipwrecks have been recorded along this often
remote stretch of coastline. Unfortunately,
only about 160 of these have been found.
"Every shipwreck is a watery timecapsule
with a story waiting to be told.
"The Historic Shipwrecks Programme supports
investigation, research and interpretation
so that we can see into our past and discover
more about our history particularly in areas
such as trade, defence and migration."
