 |
|
| |
Surveying students help locate historic wreck
FIVE final-year University of Queensland surveying students have helped locate the probable wreck site of the 620-tonne timber cargo ship, the Bolton Abbey, an English vessel which sank off Queensland's Lady Elliott Island in 1851.
The Bolton Abbev sank after being driven ashore by a storm as it lay at anchor on the western side of the island. The ship had been loaded with phosphate mined by hand on the island by Chinese labourers.
Data gathered by the students indicated the ship was pushed onto a reef about 600 metres offshore and sank in 23 metres of water.
Artifacts recovered from the 134year-old wreck site include a 150kg bronze keel post, sections of the anchor chain, and small quantities of ballast rock.
As well as providing surveying expertise to help locate the wreck, the students spent six weeks learning to dive so they could join researchers from the Maritime and Archaeological Association of Queensland (MAAQ) to recover items from the wreck.
Five students in all have made two trips to the Island and a third trip is planned early in 1986 to continue recording and researching the site. The students are Natalie Cameron,Wayne Prout, Brett Rogers, Peter Johnston, and Greg Russell.
The student project has been coordinated by Mr John Mobbs, a captain in the Royal Australian Survey Corps of the Australian Army who is completing his masters degree this year in the"University's Surveying Department.
The students had been invited by the MAAQ to set up electronic distance measuring equipment and theodolites (for measuring angles) to pinpoint possible wreck sites.
Reports in early newspapers such as the Moreton Bay Courier and various shipping journals show that a number of ships had sunk on reefs in the region.
Mr Mobbs said the students would benefit greatly from the experience of applying what they had learnt in the classroom to such an extensive and systematic project.
"It has. been a perfect combination of work and leisure for the students and the experience gained should improve their employment prospects considerably."
Head of the University's Surveying Department Dr Ken Lyons said the Department was likely to continue its association with the Maritime and Archaeological Association of Queensland by allowing students to join further searches .for wrecks along the Queensland coast.
|
|
| |
publication: University News (University of Queensland
date: 20/11/1985
more news .. |
|
|
|
click to download flash player