Island Time 1,230 Posted May 30, 2018 Share Posted May 30, 2018 From Stuff Century-old schooner uncovered by shifting sand at Muriwai beach 0 SUPPLIED The shipwreck was discovered by a Muriwai resident. A ship, believed to be the 153-year-old Daring shipwreck, has been discovered on a West Auckland beach. The wreck was uncovered by shifting sands at Muriwai beach and spotted by a local resident on May 27. However, scavengers have already taken parts of the "rare" find from the historic site. Auckland Council Heritage Unit confirmed the wreck was identified to be the Daring – a schooner driven ashore in a severe gale in 1865. A team from New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), Auckland Council archeologists and Department of Conservation staff visited the site on May 29 to cordon off the area and begin investigations. SUPPLIED A shipwreck discovered along the coast of the Kaipara range is investigated by archaeologist Greg Walter (left) and Auckland Council Cultural Heritage specialist Rob Brassey. The wreck was partially buried on the beach and inside the NZDF Kaipara Air Weapons Range. It was extremely rare for a wreck of this age to have survived in such a good condition, the heritage team said. The 17 metre-long schooner was a two-masted ship carrying a cargo of grass seed when it was driven onto the beach near South Head on the Kaipara Harbour. SUPPLIED The ship appeared to be a 156-year-old schooner. It had been built just two years earlier in Mangawai and owned by an Onehunga man. A historic news article from the National Library of New Zealand said the Daring was sailing from Taranaki to the Manukau when it found itself opposite the Kaipara heads. Auckland Council Heritage Unit principal specialist Robert Brassey said the wreck was already being preyed upon by scavengers. SUPPLIED Archaeologists from the New Zealand Heritage team were investigating the origin of the ship. "Someone has been selfish enough to have damaged the ship within days of it being exposed by scavenging timber off it," Brassey said. "Several deck planks and a section of railing have been removed from the wreck." He said it was astounding that someone would damage a historical site. NZDF was warning people to stay away from the wreck at all times or risk trespassing. The wreck was on an archeological site protected under the provisions of the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act. Public access to the range was banned at all times including when there was no military activity, council said. "An archaeological authority from Heritage New Zealand is required before anyone can modify or damage this site," Beverley Parslow of Heritage New Zealand Auckland Area said. "This wreck is part of the nation's history and needs to be recorded in the first instance without being tampered with. "Its full story can then be told for all New Zealanders to appreciate and learn from. "That story is not as complete with parts of the wreck missing due to fossickers taking items that do not belong to them." Under the Act, any person damaging or destroying any part of the wreck or wreck site was liable to a fine of up to $60,000. - Stuff Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MarkMT 68 Posted May 30, 2018 Share Posted May 30, 2018 Very cool. Some video footage here: http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2018/05/shifting-sands-reveal-150yo-shipwreck-in-auckland.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chewing Gum 17 Posted May 30, 2018 Share Posted May 30, 2018 Timbers are in amazing condition. Should be going in a museum - can't believe the low lifes that would hack it with a chain saw. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
erice 732 Posted May 30, 2018 Share Posted May 30, 2018 who can spot the crew.org member in the photo? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Freedom GBE 27 Posted May 30, 2018 Share Posted May 30, 2018 Greg Walter that built and owns the little yellow tri at Northcote Point is famous. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wheels 543 Posted May 30, 2018 Share Posted May 30, 2018 I agree. It's in great condition and should be going somewhere, otherwise, how cares if she gets hacked up. Maybe some nice coffee tables could be made from her timbers. Left where she is, she will be gone in the next bit of bad weather, or torn apart even and then cutting her up is a mute point. They should get the diggers in while we have some days of good weather and get the thing out of there. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ScottiE 174 Posted May 30, 2018 Share Posted May 30, 2018 Be nice to get Greg's take on it but I reckon it'll be damn near impossible to move. It's full to the deck with sand. You'd need to dig that out by hand (or maybe dredge) as you dug around the perimeter. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
erice 732 Posted May 30, 2018 Share Posted May 30, 2018 as it's technically within the south kaipara weapons range if the military saw they could get some positive mileage from it they could dig it out and move it somewhere as an exercise \ but it would have to be budgeted from existing funds Quote Link to post Share on other sites
waikiore 398 Posted May 30, 2018 Share Posted May 30, 2018 I wondered why they had a mad multihuller looking at her, though at one time I recall him sailing an old long keeler. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
erice 732 Posted May 31, 2018 Share Posted May 31, 2018 he's an archaeologist for the historic places trust i think and presumably troweling around it now and too busy to visit the forum Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Plato 11 Posted September 3, 2018 Share Posted September 3, 2018 Visited her over the weekend, and the damage by souvenier hunters collectors is really bad The barrier that was to be put up to protect her is not in place. Our heritage protection agencies are failing us. WE NEED HELP AND FAST!!! We cant rely on our authorities any longer! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Plato 11 Posted September 3, 2018 Share Posted September 3, 2018 Don't know how to reduce the photos to full size?? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RushMan 31 Posted September 3, 2018 Share Posted September 3, 2018 From the before and after photos there has been about a metre of sand "lost" from that beach. Would that be a normal erosion during winter for west coast beaches? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tuffyluffy 76 Posted September 3, 2018 Share Posted September 3, 2018 From the before and after photos there has been about a metre of sand "lost" from that beach. Would that be a normal erosion during winter for west coast beaches? I was thinking the same thing. Either erosion or its floating free as it drys out Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Frank 157 Posted September 3, 2018 Share Posted September 3, 2018 Dig that puppy out and pet her in a museum ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Plato 11 Posted September 3, 2018 Share Posted September 3, 2018 I think the beach is being washed away. Thus the Daring may not survive much longer. The Wreck was in the dunes behind 6 months ago. It certainly isn't floating! BTW - The hull still has the remains of the copper sheeting clearly visible on the sides, and possibly under the hull, still intact. Digging her out is not that easy. Plant can only access the beach 20k south of the wreck. It is in the inter-tidal zone which suggests the sand will all be washed back during the next high tide. The plant way well get stranded between the wreck and dunes at high tide.( Insurance of hire plant will probably be an issue) It may take a quick response army of about 100 to hand dig and build a 'Flexibin' type bund around the wreck. Other options are also under discussion, but at least there is some traction now, but time is running out. Watch this space!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Pope 243 Posted September 3, 2018 Share Posted September 3, 2018 biggest problem would be to remove the sand from inside the hull! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Plato 11 Posted December 6, 2018 Share Posted December 6, 2018 A Give-A-Little page has been set up, and recovery works well under way. Please donate generously to make this happen before she's lost forever. https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/daring-rescue Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Plato 11 Posted December 12, 2018 Share Posted December 12, 2018 The removal has begun! Its costing bucket loads - Please consider a small donation to the Give-A-Litte page above DSC00493.jpgDSC00486.jpgDSC00487.jpgDSC00488.jpgDSC00489.jpgDSC00491.jpg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chewing Gum 17 Posted December 12, 2018 Share Posted December 12, 2018 Found photos here: http://www.classicyachtcharitabletrust.org.nz/trust_boats.htm?boat_id=17 http://www.classicyachtcharitabletrust.org.nz/gallery.htm?gallery_id=82 https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/daring-rescue/gallery Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.