St Leonards Jetty unidentified wreck - Flinders...

Site Survey:

Unidentified Wreck at St Leonards Pier,

St Leonards, Victoria.

St Leonards Pier (James Moore).

Site Report By : Duane Bishop, Mark Langton, James Moore, Brad Williams

Flinders University, 2004

Site Survey: Unidentified Wreck at St Leonards Pier, St Leonards, Victoria.

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Contents - Introduction Pg 3 Historical Overview Pg 3 Site location Pg 4 Survey Methodology Pg 4 Site description and interpretation Pg 6 Conclusion/Management Considerations Pg 10 References cited Pg 11 Appendix A – Photograph transits and technical data Pg 12 Appendix B – Site plan Pg 16 Appendix C – Survey data Pg 18 Appendix D – Photograph logs Pg22

List of Figures


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Introduction

This survey and report of the unidentified wreck below St Leonards pier was

undertaken by students from the Department of Archaeology at Flinders University in

conjunction with the Heritage Victoria Maritime Heritage Unit. The results of this

survey will update the Heritage Victoria files on this site, with the last major work

undertaken on the site being in 1983. The survey was conducted on the 3rd, 4th and 9th

of February 2004. This site is presumed to be the wreck of the St George.

Historical Overview

Figure 1 St Leonards pier, circa 1880 (from Wynd 1985).

In 1853 Captain George Cole constructed a temporary pier at St Leonards, as part of

an enterprise to exploit the natural resources of the area (Wynd, 1985). Cole owned a

bay steamer called P.S Vesper and the temporary pier was primarily used for that

vessel. The temporary pier (later replaced by a permanent structure) was constructed

by placing two hulks stern to stern in the bay, with a third sunk nearby as a breakwater

(H.V file, 1990). It has been presumed that the remains surveyed during this field

school are likely to be one of the vessels used as part of this temporary pier, possibly

the St George of 604 tons which hit rocks at cape Nepean in December of 1852 and

was run ashore at Swan Bay (H.V file, 1990). In 1983 the Maritime Archaeology

Association of Victoria (MAAV) investigated the site to ascertain the extent and


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condition of the wreck (Hewitt, 1983) and conducted research into several other ships

which are known to have been associated with Cole and the St Leonards region.

Site location

The site surveyed is below the current pier at the town of St Leonards on the Bellarine

Peninsula, Victoria. The site runs almost parallel to this pier. The area surveyed was

32m long and 9m wide. The centre of the site is 92.9m along the pier from the shore at

the join between two jetty sections. Four photo transits were taken as an aid to

relocating the site (see appendix A). GPS coordinates were taken from the site access

point just east of the wreck, which are also in appendix A, with an associated sketch

map.

Figure 2 – Sketch map of the St Leonards Pier site (James Moore)

Survey methodology

The survey team consisted of Duane Bishop, Mark Langton, Brad Williams and James

Moore. With supervision, both in and out of the water, provided by Matt Gainsford,

Cass Phillipou, Mark Staniforth, Aidan Ash, Brad Duncan, Matt Schlitz and Julie

Ford. The location of the site was already known to Heritage Victoria staff, from


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previous survey by the MAAV, therefore locating the site was straightforward. The

team decided to dive from an alighting platform situated on the northern side of the

pier and at the completion of the dive to exit the water from the shore. The aim of the

operation was to undertake a non-disturbance survey of the site and ascertain its

archaeological potential. A search was conducted during the first dive to determine the

extent of the site. A baseline was laid perpendicular to the pier piles in alignment with

the ‘protected zone’ marker. Three metre wide lanes were run off this baseline at right

angles as a guide to measuring. A mud map was drawn and baseline and offset

measurements taken.

Figure 3 - Brad Williams and Marl Langton laying a baseline (James Moore).

Due to time constraints the team surveyed only the eastern end of the site during the

first two days - a total of 180 square metres. The team returned to the site three days

later to survey the western end of the site. Base line and offset measurements were

used for this part of the site, with an overlap built into the western survey to tie in the

two halves of the site. The locations of the survey lanes and baselines are depicted in

appendix B, with a total of 120 square metres surveyed on the third day.

It is interesting to note that during this time between workdays the site had

altered, some previously unseen features had been uncovered and some previously

visible features had disappeared. This suggests that the seabed over the site is in a

constant state of flux. After the completion of data collection a scaled drawing was

compiled. Photographs and sketches of interesting features were also taken, and

observations of seabed type, sediment and floral life taken.


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Site description and interpretation

A plan of the site survey is provided in figure 5 and in appendix B. Cultural features

identified in the survey are numbered on the plan in appendix B and a description of

each, with their location coordinates presented in appendix C.

The seabed consists of coarse sand and shell and has a patchy covering of an

unidentified filamentous brown algae. The remains mapped were generally covered

with this flora, with sterile areas devoid of plant life. The seafloor is gently sloping

with a depth of water no more than three meters deep encountered during the dives.

Cultural material is visible in an area that runs parallel to the pier for about 30m and is

approximately 9m wide with the piles of the pier running over the southern side of the

site. The remains of a small vessel are readily apparent running almost parallel to the

pier piles. Some large pieces of timber that appear to be from an earlier jetty lie

between the piles of the contemporary jetty. Stumps also observed represent the

remains of piles for the old pier.

Figure 4 - Facing west along site below pier at the remains of an older pier (features 13 &14). (James Moore).

There are two areas that appear to be ballast piles (features 25 &58), one large mound

associated with the ribs of a vessel and one smaller pile underneath the pier itself. Of

the vessel, only twelve ribs were clearly visible and identified as shipwreck remains.

These were numbered (see appendix C), measured and their locations carefully


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plotted. The longest of these ribs were 1.2 metres, and stood 60 centimetres above the

seabed. The ribs were of reasonably light construction with an average thickness of

50mm and a width of 120mm and were spaced 630mm apart.

Figure 5 - Section of ribs (features 43 & 44) running alongside pier. (James Moore).

Figure 6 - Sketch of ribs numbers 1 & 2 showing the lightweight construction (Brad Williams).

No evidence of the keel or any other identifiable ship elements were observed,

and it was not possible to ascertain the actual dimensions of the wreck, nor which end

represented the bow. It is unlikely that these remains are those of the St George. This

conclusion is drawn both from the MAAV report (Hewitt, 1983) and the material


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investigated during this survey. Hewitt (1983) examined evidence suggesting that the

St George was not left in St Leonards bay for very long and was broken up at

Sandridge in 1859. Also the 1983 survey concluded that the scantlings of the vessel

sitting off St Leonards are of a much smaller vessel than the St George (Hewitt, 1983).

The ribs are spaced about 60cm (two feet) apart on the section surveyed for this report

and even amidships this is too far apart for a cargo carrying vessel of any substance.

The lightweight nature of these ribs as previously explained also supports this

conclusion.

Due to the constraints of a non-disturbance survey it was impossible to

determine weather the ribs surveyed were still joined to the keel in their original

locations, however it is considered that the ribs are still attached, when site formation

process are considered, along with the layout of the surveyed remains. An excavation

of this area would be necessary to get more accurate and up to date information on this

aspect of the remains. In is apparent in the MAAV report (Hewitt 1983) that these

‘ribs’ were identified as flooring timbers and that they were attached to a keel. The

regular spacing of these timbers and curvature would however suggest that they are

not flooring timbers. No sign of the attached keel reported by the MAAV was seen in

this survey, however twenty years of sand movement since that report would be likely

to have obscured such.

Figure 6 shows the associations made in this report between various features

surveyed. The remains of the vessel (Red) are quite distinct in both form and location

from the material associated with the old pier (Orange). The piles of the current pier

are marked in blue in order to distinguish them from the historical material.

Uncoloured material has not been linked to anything at this stage.


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Figure 2 - Coloured view of site plan showing different associations of features.

During the survey coal was clearly evident on the surface of the seabed in the

vicinity of the small ballast mound (feature 25). This may have added to the theory

that the wreck below the St Leonards Pier was the St George, as that ship was known

to have been used as a coal barge (Hewitt, 1983). The larger pile of ballast sits

adjacent to the ribs of the unidentified vessel on the northern edge of the site and is

most likely associated wit that vessel. Some large slabs of sandstone were found

beneath the pier it is uncertain whether these were ballast.

There were several pieces of iron bar protruding from the seabed, two of these

appeared to be circular and were situated underneath the pier. These were possibly

part of the older pier. One large iron bar (feature 41), approximately 50mm wide and

4500mm long is situated at the eastern end of the ribs and disappears below the

seafloor 200mm before the easternmost rib. This iron bar has two attachment points

(eyes) for bolts, which are heavily concreted but still discernable. It is likely that this

was part of a railing or bracing from the old pier and is not attached to or associated

with the wreck.


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This site is of significant archaeological interest, as it not only represents a

shipwreck site, but also the development and usage of two pier structures. This

however does add to the complexity of site interpretation as depicted in figure 6.

Figure 7 shows very little change in the location of the pier, which has resulted in the

concrete piles of the current pier being driven though the archaeological site. The cove

does appear to have filled in over the years (i.e. the extent of the sandspit). This

evidence is drawn from a comparison between the old drawings and photographs of

the site, and the recent examination of the same area. This adds to the difficulty in

interpreting this site in pre-disturbance survey and validates the observations of

sediment motion and accumulation described earlier.

Figure 3 Comparison between the pier today (12/02.2004 - right) and in the past (Around 1900 -

left). (Left - Wynd, 1985, right - James Moore).

Conclusion/management considerations

The complexity and representativeness of this site as described above means

that the site is of considerable archaeological significance. It represents at least one

shipwreck and three separate phases of hulk/pier access to the port. While this report

agrees with the MAAV report (Hewitt 1983) that the wreck is not that of the St

George, further research and archaeological investigation may give greater insight

into the material examined here. Regardless of identity, the significance of this site is

ample enough to continually monitor the site and assess the condition of the wreck

and its interaction with other structures in the vicinity. This wreck is marked with a

danger marker, which is a significant step in preserving the remains as it stops

unintentional damage from shipping and recreational activities. A full investigation of

the vicinity, the development of the port infrastructure and the wreck itself would

provide an invaluable interpretation of the heritage of St Leonards.


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References cited

HEWITT, G. 1983: St. Leonards Site A

Report to the Maritime Archaeology Association of Victoria.

WYND, I. 1985: Balla-wein, A History of the Bellarine Peninsula

Shire of Bellaraine Publishing, 1985.


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Appendix A

Photograph Transits

And

Technical Data

Dates of inspection- 3rd, 4th, 9th of February 2004

Personnel- Duane Bishop, Mark Langton, James Moore, Brad Williams

Supervisors- Cass Philippou (3rd), Matt Gainsford (3rd, 4th, 9th), Mark Staniforth (3rd ,

4th), Aidan Ash (3rd, 4th), Julie Ford (9th), Brad Duncan(9th), Matt Schlitz (9th)

Approximate Location- 92.9m form shore on the St Leonards pier, St Leonards,

Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria

GPS coordinates- 55H 0300 332E

577 2848N

These coordinates are centred on the white bollard just east of the site. Accuracy is

4.4m. WGS84 is the datum. (See map). The centre of the site marked by a join

between two sections of the jetty, this join is 92.9m from the eastern end of the shed at

the start of the jetty.

Access Directions- Entry from either St Leonards pier (access platform seen figure 2)

or from shore.


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Transit points-

Figure 4 The city of Melbourne in line with danger marker at 200

Figure 5 Indented head at 100


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Figure 6 South (left) end of hotel at 2450

Figure 7 Sand spit at 1800


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Site inspection conditions-

Day 1 (3rd) Day 2 (4th) Day 3 (9th)

Current Slight S/E Slight S/E

Sea and Swell Flat Flat Flat

Surge None None None

Tide (lows) 0300, 1532 0405, 1640

Tide (highs) 0906, 2308 1006, 0010

Visibility (horiz) 1-2m 5-6m 5-7m

Seabed composition- Mostly sandy with wreck covered in unidentified filamentous

brown algae See figure 5


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Appendix B

Site Plan


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Appendix C

Survey Data


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St. Leonards Pier Wreck Inspection - Survey Data, 3,4,9/2/2004

Bas

elin

e #

Art

ifact

num

ber

Bas

elin

e Po

int (

m)

Off

set (

m)

Feat

ure

desc

.

Rec

. By

1 1 1.5 0.4 SE corner concrete jetty pile DB, JM




1 5 1.5 13.5 SE corner concrete jetty pile (double) DB, JM






1 11 4.5 13.5 SE corner concrete jetty pile (double) DB, JM


1 13 1.7 2.7 Centre of jetty stump DB, JM

1 14 2 2.5 Centre of jetty stump DB, JM

1 15 2.1 1.7 Iron bar DB, JM

1 16 2.5 1.6 East end of square timber, 300m wide DB, JM

1 17 3.3 2.7 West end of above DB, JM

1 18 4 3 East end of right-angled timber ? DB, JM

1 19 4 5.8 Bend in above DB, JM

1 20 2.2 5 South end of above DB, JM

1 21 2.1 5.5 Jetty pile stump DB, JM

1 22 1.6 9 Sandstone slab, 60x30cm DB, JM

1 23 2.2 9.4 East end of square timber beam, 400 wide (jetty pile) DB, JM

1 24 2.2 14.5 West end of above DB, JM


1 26 3 12.5 Centre of ballast mound, 2x1m against simber beam DB,


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JM


1 28 1.6 18.8 3 iron bars protruding from sand DB, JM

1 29 2 19.5 Jetty pile stump DB, JM

1 30 2.8 17 Curved iron bar pointing s/w DB, JM

1 31 3.3 17 Curved iron bar pointing s/w DB, JM

1 32 2 17 Pce planking, 300mm wide DB, JM

1 33 5.3 11 East end of square timber beam, 300 wide, evidence of bolts (concretions)

ML, BW

1 34 5.5 16.7 West end of above ML, BW

1 35 6.2 4.5 Pce timber planking, 300mm wide, mostly buried ML, BW

1 36 6.5 13.4 Timber beam, probably rounded, 250mm diam. ML, BW

1 37 9.2 18.5 Pce timber planking, 300mm wide, mostly buried, ML, BW

1 38 8 16.5 East end timber beam, 150mm wide ML, BW

1 39 6.5 17 West end of above ML, BW

1 40 5 17 Extent of ballast mound ML, BW

1 41 6 14.5 East end of iron bar, point of attachment (eyes) for bolts? evident in two places.

ML, BW

1 42 6 18.2 West end of above, disappears into seabed just east or ribs - possibly not attached to ribs.

ML, BW

1 43 6.5 19

Nth end of rib 1 - 1.2m long (all ribs alilgned approx 320 deg - not quite at right angle to pier. 50mm thick, 150mm wide, centres at 75mm apart.)

ML, BW

1 44 6.3 19.6 Nth end of rib 2 - 1.1m long. ML, BW

2 45 -2.3 9.7 SE corner of concrete jetty pile DB, JM




2 49 -0.5 15.3 East end of square timber beam, 300mm wide with 2 bolts at eastern end.

DB, JM

2 50 -2.7 16.6 West end of above DB, JM

2 51 0.9 9.7 SE corner of concrete jetty pile ML, BW





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2 55 2.4 10.6 Nth end of rib 3 - 1.0m long ML, BW


2 57 2 12 Nth end of rib 5 - .5m long ML, BW

2 58 5 10.5 Extent of ballast mound ML, BW

2 59 1.2 12.4 Pce Planking, 200x200mm, mostly buried ML, BW


2 61 2.2 13.9 Nth end of rib 7 - .9m long ML, BW




2 65 3.5 12.8 East end of timber plank, 250mm wide ML, BW


2 67 3 14.2 East end of square timber plank, 300mm wide ML, BW



2 70 1 17.6 Nth end of rib 12 - .4m long ML, BW

2 71 1.1 18.5 Pce of timber, possibly a rib, 200mmx150mm ML, BW


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Appendix D

Photograph Logs

St Leonards Jetty unidentified wreck - Flinders...

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