Mid- and Long-Term Responses

Abstract

This Chapter describes the medium- and long-term responses to the presence of shipwrecks and stranded vessels, tracing the ways in which the economic, social and symbolic roles of shipping mishap sites within the Queenscliffe landscape changed over time. In particular, this chapter examines the formal (systematic or official) and informal (and potentially illegal) processes of recovering or salvaging vessels and their cargoes, including cross-generational activities. It describes how vessels were refloated or material was extracted, including the onshore components (salvage camps, tramways, donkey engines, and ship-breaking yards) of these operations. Evidence for informal and opportunistic salvage of wreck materials by the community, such as through beachcombing, is also examined. The final part of this chapter traces how shipping mishap sites became places within the landscape and how these and associated prevention and mitigation structures were incorporated into local tourism ventures.

The kitchen of our house was lined with stuff and panels from the Time…We had to pay for it from salvagers…it may have been from black market sales.

(Beames D. 2003)