In an effort to preserve Tasmania’s rich maritime history, Maritime Museum Tasmania has partnered with the Dover Museum and Gallery on a three-day field trip to document and catalogue shipwreck artefacts from the southern region.
This collaborative project aims to create a comprehensive, public database of shipwreck materials, transforming scattered finds into a valuable resource for researchers and the public.
This ongoing initiative, supported by Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania, seeks to address the current lack of a centralised record of shipwreck objects.
According to Chris Tassell, President of Maritime Museum Tasmania,
“Recording these objects now means future Tasmanians will still be able to learn from them. This partnership turns fragments into a coherent story for the whole state.”
During the field trip, teams will meticulously photograph, measure, and record artefacts ranging from copper sheathing and fastenings to ceramics and personal belongings. Each item will be added to a shared record that links objects with their stories and locations.
Shipwrecks are time capsules that offer insights into trade, technology, and daily life at sea. Careful cataloguing protects knowledge, informs conservation, and helps regional museums connect their collections into a broader Tasmanian maritime story.
Camille Reynes, Curator at Maritime Museum Tasmania, emphasised the importance of this detailed work, stating,
“Every item is measured, photographed and recorded. It sounds simple, but that discipline is what can help keep objects safe.”
Reynes added that even “a single copper fragment or shard of pottery can help date a wreck, trace a trade route or reveal how a vessel was repaired in Tasmanian waters.”
The project highlights the vital role of smaller museums and community efforts.
Marianne Austen, a representative from the Dover Museum and Gallery, noted,
“Dover’s stories are Tasmanian stories. This project connects our local collection with others across the state, so visitors and researchers see the bigger picture.”
The public is invited to contribute to this historical record.
Anyone with shipwreck objects in their possession is encouraged to share them by emailing clear photos, basic measurements, and any known history to [email protected].
These contributions will help ensure the preservation of Tasmania’s maritime heritage for generations to come.
Images courtesy Maritime Museum Tasmania, Emily Quintin
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