Jump to content

Old Schooner wreck on Muriwai


Recommended Posts

From Stuff Century-old schooner uncovered by shifting sand at Muriwai beach  
1527659581151.jpg
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.

1527659581151.jpg
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.

1527659581151.jpg
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.

1527659581151.jpg
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

 
 
 

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

  • Upvote 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Link to post
Share on other sites

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

Link to post
Share on other sites

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!

 

DSC_50401.JPG

DSC_50461.JPG

DSC_50541.JPG

DSC_50581.JPG

DSC_50661.JPG

Link to post
Share on other sites

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

Link to post
Share on other sites

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!!

Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...