East Gippsland Oral History
The East Gippsland oral histories project began as a pilot program in 2003. Funded from the Commonwealth Department of the Environment Water Heritage and the Arts, the project was designed to gather information about shipwrecks on Victoria’s eastern coastline.
We interviewed divers who were amongst the first to visit some of the shipwrecks along the Gippsland coast. As the pilot progressed it became obvious these divers had other fascinating stories to tell aside from shipwrecks. The sample available online represent just a small fraction of these intriguing stories waiting to be revealed.
We are investigating options to continue the oral histories project by conducting more interviews and preparing more of the transcripts and recordings for publication.
The East Gippsland Oral History project interviewed locals from the region who have first hand knowledge of shipwrecks and the diving industry in their area.
This oral history is a recording of these memories and experiences. Note: The East Gippsland region is considered to be bounded on the west by Wilson’s Promontory and on the east by the NSW/Victoria border.
The development of snorkelling, scuba and hookah diving equipment since the 1950’s saw a growing appreciation of Australia’s maritime heritage and shipwreck discovery. Increased access to shipwreck sites exposed them to accelerated deterioration and removal of artefacts. The Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 (Commonwealth) and the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1981 (Victoria) sought to provide ongoing protection of wreck sites and associated material.
To find out more about Victorian shipwrecks, search the Victorian Heritage Database.
This project explores;
- Our maritime history
- Victoria’s ongoing marine-based industries
- The economic and social development of regional areas
- Valuable first-hand social history
- Early diving technology and techniques
Full transcripts are available if you cannot access the audio.
About John Black
John Black is an abalone diver and licence holder. He began snorkel diving in Sydney around 1951, and was very successful in Australia’s early spear fishing competitions. He moved to Mallacoota to fish for abalone professionally in 1967, and was involved in the establishment and ongoing development of the Mallacoota Abalone Co-op.John has dived on various wrecks along the Gippsland coast including the Monumental City, Iron Prince, SS Riverina and the Schah. In this interview he describes the steps he went through to find The Schah – the 1837 wreck which John is credited with locating.
John Black's stories
The Schah
The schooner Schah is the second oldest identified wreck on the Victorian coast. Becalmed near Ram Head in December 1837, it was forced ashore by the current and high seas. John Black is intrigued by this wreck. During his time in Mallacoota, he located the Schah by wind and current, and the discovery of an anchor.Listen to John Black talk about the Schah >>>
Monumental City
The American steamer Monumental City was one of the first screw steamers to cross the Pacific. One of many ships attracted by the Victorian gold rush, it sank in 1853, off Gabo Island, near Mallacoota. This is the first wreck John Black dived on. Listen to John Black talk about Monumental City >>>
Riverina Wrecks
Two steamers both called Riverina were wrecked on the East Gippsland coast, the first in 1890 and the second in 1927. John Black describes a crew using explosives to salvage the metal. He also talks about the hazards between Point Hicks and the mainland. Listen to John Black talk about the Riverina >>>
Wrecks around Gabo Island
John Black discusses the wrecks around Gabo Island, near Mallacoota. While many wrecks have been reported, there’s little evidence left except for some anchors and big iron pots near Mueller Creek and Point Hicks. He mentions the brig Mary Wilson which sunk at Gabo Bay in 1852. Listen to John Black talk about Gabo Island >>>
Diving Gear part 1
John Black remembers when wetsuits, boats and breathing apparatus were literally hand made. These early developments in the 1960s enabled divers access to off-shore islands. Listen to John Black talk about early dive gear >>>
Diving Gear part 2
As the abalone industry evolved, so did wetsuits, boats and breathing gear. John Black remembers the evolution of early technology enabling divers to stay underwater for longer. The results were creative….adaptive…. and perhaps, a little dangerous! Listen to John Black talk about early dive gear (part 2) >>>
Acknowledgements
Kate Fielding, John Black, Gwenda Walker-Smith, Commonwealth Dept of the Environment Water Heritage and the Arts.