An Amazon shipwreck piece exposed

20 September

On Monday 2nd September storms exposed a large section of the hull of the Amazon shipwreck at Inverloch Surf Beach. The section moved 60 metres east along the beach in the storm.

Storm uncovers shipwreck piece

Heritage Victoria maritime archaeologists arrived early the next morning to record the Amazon hull piece assisted by members of the Amazon 1863 Project Inc. group, Karyn Bugeja and Adrian Brewer. A 3D model of the exposed section was created. The exposed section of the shipwreck is a piece of the hull from the bow (forward) end of the vessel. Another section of the hull more than double the size still survives underwater.

Amazon was built in the United Kingdom in 1855 as a timber sailing barque and operated as an intercontinental trader. It left Melbourne for Mauritius on 12th December 1863 before encountering a hurricane off Cape Otway. After two days, Amazon had been blown along the Bass Coast and the Captain was forced to beach the ship at Inverloch to save his crew. Over time, Amazon’s bow broke up and scattered across the beach.

It is natural for historic shipwrecks to break up over centuries. This event is part of that process for Amazon. The Inverloch coastline is dynamic so attempts to stabilise the exposed section would only be temporary or damaging. Raising the wreck piece and conserving it would cost many millions of dollars.

Upper sections of the wreck material are in poor condition and have green marine growth. Lower sections that were buried in the beach sand are in excellent condition. Burial in wet sand, where there is less oxygen, is a natural and ideal way of preserving shipwreck material for decades. Pieces removed from wet sand and not given professional care will deteriorate much sooner.

The storms have provided a rare opportunity to view a large section of the Amazon shipwreck which is number 1 on Heritage Victoria’s Maritime Heritage at Risk register. When visiting, be aware that it is more fragile than it looks so do not walk or climb onto it. Take only photos and leave only footprints.

Further reading

Read more about Amazon on the Victorian Heritage Database.The Heritage Council of Victoria also included Amazon as a case study with resources on managing heritage places impacted by climate change.

Reporting wreckage and more information

Heritage Victoria and Parks Victoria are working to locate and record scattered wreckage and artefacts dislodged during the storm. Amazon is protected by the Commonwealth Underwater Cultural Heritage Act 2018 and the Victorian Heritage Act 2017. It is illegal to damage or take any pieces without approval from Heritage Victoria.

If you find any other pieces of wreckage on the beach, please report it to Heritage Victoria to record. You can contact Heritage Victoria via email at heritage.victoria@transport.vic.gov.au.

Page last updated: 20/09/24