Maritime Archaeologists Association of Victoria members visited the Amazon Shipwreck site recently and were blown away by the community support that this vessel has generated. It was refreshing and so supportive to witness their genuine excitement for the project and our work.
We look forward to your continued support in this ever evolving and exciting project.
Committee members underwent Heritage Victoria lectures on archaeology, cataloguing of artefacts and photogrammetry.
Discussions with the Bass Coast Shire regarding an Inverloch museum which is a major part of our vision for the future.
A Bass Coast Shire Grant assisted in funding ‘Inverloch’s Riddle of the Amazon’ publication and the purchase of a dedicated computer for grant writing and storing data.
Launch of ‘Inverloch’s Riddle of the Amazon – When is a Bark NOT a Bark?’
A Victorian State Government grant under the Living Heritage Grants Program was awarded to conserve the deadwood. A reliable Brian Martin at Parks Vic Wonthaggi Depot was contacted regarding transport and the deadwood was delivered for conservation in mid-January, 2021. We wish to thank everyone involved in such a smooth step towards conservation of the Amazon deadwood. We anticipate that in a few months this artefact will be residing on view in the Inverloch Hub.
As a new organization in 2019, people have shown their support by joining as Members at various times throughout the year & hence annual renewal anniversaries have occurred at unique times for each member.
To make our membership list easier to handle, we are shifting to all annual renewal anniversaries to 31st of March. Which is common amongst most community organisations. This will make a huge difference to the Volunteers looking after our membership.
For 2021 only, membership will be on a pro rata basis to take all memberships to 31st March 2022. So a full year from 31st March 2021 to 31st March 31st 2022, plus a prorata proportion to allow for the period prior to 31st March 2021.
For Example : If you paid your membership fee in January 2020, your membership renewal fee will be for 14 months (12 + 2 month extra) or if you paid in June 2020 your membership will be for 9 months (12 – 3 month credit).
Messages have recently been sent to all members outlining their specific case.
Yes, a little complicated for this years renewals, but it will then be so much more straight forward after that.
We have some exciting events coming up & would love to have you involved. So please reach out to us at any time if you would like to volunteer or make additional donations to specific projects.
To join or renew, please follow this link.
The remains of this protected historic shipwreck are buried near the lnverloch Surf Life Saving Club on the Bass Coast in South Gippsland, Australia.
The AMAZON was a barque of 362 tons built by at St Helier’s, Jersey by Fredrick Charles Clarke, Ship-builder.
The Amazon was a Jersey-built three-masted barque, thought to be similar to the one pictured. (Source: Heritage Victoria)
The Melbourne Argus newspaper reported the loss of the Jersey-built barque AMAZON near Cape Paterson and the despatch of HMCS Victoria to rescue the crew in late December 1863.
According to the newspaper accounts, the barque left Melbourne on Dec 12 1863 bound for Mauritius with a cargo of salted meats. During the night a gale blew up from the south, the sails were reefed and the vessel hove to.
Despite all attempts the Amazon started to drift leeward towards the shore. On the morning of the 15 December 1863 the vessel came ashore on a sandy beach, close to some cliffs one mile south west of Andersons Inlet.
The fore and main masts were cut away to prevent the vessel from breaking up. The crew got ashore and set up camp.
The wreck was discovered eight days later by a Mr Heales on his way to Melbourne to spend Christmas with his family.
HMCS Victoria was despatched to rescue the crew.
The vessel was put up for auction on 31 December 1863.
The location was given as one mile south west of Andersons inlet and eight miles east of Cape Paterson, lying broadside to the beach and buried to a depth of nine feet in the sand. The water in the hull was level with the lower deck beams.
Preservation of significant Amazon artefacts, the site & written records. To Educate & share the history of this amazing ship.
Click here for more information about us & how to join.
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