rtefact returns to Inverloch – The big unveiling We have had to postpone the artefact Unveiling at the Hub yet again due to Covid restrictions. We had booked August 27th, but with Melbourne still in lockdown and our Conservator, Heritage Victoria & Victoria State Living Heritage Program officials unable to travel, we now have a new date. Unveiling at 6 pm, drinks, nibbles, raffles… Join us Members receive a Doubloon in exchange for a glass of ...

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Join us for drinks, nibbles & the official unveiling of the recently preserved Amazon artefact known as 'The Deadwood'. Come & support the Amazon 1863 Project. Unveiling at 6 pm, drinks, nibbles, raffles… Join us Members receive a Doubloon in exchange for a glass of “Dirty 3 Wine” Bring some $$$ & join in the excitement! Where: Inverloch Community Hub in A’Beckett St. When: Wednesday 15th December at 6pm (was Friday 1st Oct). RSVP:  By email to Secretary@Amazon1863.org.au or call 0423 682 580 ...

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By Doug Ford, Friends of the Jersey Maritime Museum.Download their full October 2020 Newsletter Wreck of the AMAZON exposed on 5 July 2020 (image courtesy of V Maddock) In our last newsletter I mentioned the 33-ton Jersey-built barque AMAZON which ran aground on the coast of Victoria, Australia during a severe gale on the morning of Tuesday, 15 December 1863. With no hope of being able to claw his way back to the open sea to save his vessel, Captain Ogier ran her straight onto the shore and then had his crew cut away the fore and mizzen masts to prevent her breaking up. By 3:00pm all the crew were safely ashore and the AMAZON lay abandoned on the shore about eight miles east of Cape Paterson. For the next 150 years or so she lay hidden beneath the sands, occasionally and tantalisingly poking a wooden rib or two through the sand. She even gave her name to the area of the beach - "Wreck Creek"; and then during the Autumn storms in March and April 2015 more of the wreck surfaced including rare and delicate organic artefacts such as a deadeye with a knot still tied at one end. The handrail with dead-eyes...

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Under the Victorian Heritage Act 2017 and the Commonwealth Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976, all shipwrecks are protected. Shipwrecks must not be interfered with. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Historic shipwrecks are fragile structures that often have weakened and vulnerable hull remains due to their long submersion. There are sometimes loose artefacts on the beach surface or near historic shipwrecks that can also be easily damaged or destroyed. Disturbing the site drastically reduces the amount of information that archaeologists can learn about this significant shipwreck. It is therefore important that the local community ensure that this important site remains undisturbed. No excavation, removing any items and/or disturbing the site. Signs have been erected on Inverloch Beach near the Amazon remains. If you are visiting, please remember:   Digging in the area is NOT allowed. Standing on the wreck or it’s artefacts or removal of any part of the wreck is also NOT allowed. You can assist us in the protection of Amazon by joining us.   [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_single_image image="228" img_size="full"][/vc_column][/vc_row]...

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Firstly, a very big WELCOME to everyone and thank you for your patience waiting for this first Newsletter! The last 5 to 6 months have been very busy applying for Incorporation Certification, Not for Profit status and working on a co-operative approach with Parks Victoria, Heritage Victoria and the Bass Coast Shire. We have also had the rapid erosion issues on our coastline biting at our heels. We have made several Grant applications and have another underway at the present time for a conservation project. There was very disappointing footage this month, which gave viewers the impression that people were digging at the Amazon ship wreck site. The only people who will ever do any digging at the Amazon site will be Heritage Victoria Maritime Archaeologists. The site is protected under Heritage Legislation and it is an offence to disturb the site, damage or remove any objects. In fact it is probably best not to dig anywhere on the Surf Beach with a metal shovel! Heritage Victoria has a difficult job, a balancing act managing such sites. In our case, we want to share, inform and educate people about the Amazon but not encourage pilfering or vandalism. Hopefully the little children’s book to be...

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The 'Gladiator' barque was built in 1866 by Frederick Charles Clark,. FC Clark built 'Amazon' eleven years earlier. We can use this image as a good likeness to what our 'Amazon' would have looked like in her hay day. Image source & some further information: TheIslandWiki.org ...

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An interesting find in August 2019. It's now stored in a water bath. It is potentially the top of the handrail and was located in the old (eastern side) Wreck Creek outlet after big rains. ...

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