50th Anniversary of the discovery of the Gilt Dragon wreck

Public Lecture | Updated 1 decade ago

Diver examining a elephant tusk from a shipwreck site
Michael "Mack" McCarthy with an elephant tusk from the wreck of the Gilt Dragon, 1963
Image copyright of WA Museum

Presented by Graeme Henderson AM, Cit WA

Graeme Henderson was 16 years old when he found the wreck of the 1656 Dutch ship Vergulde Draeck (Gilt Dragon) while spearfishing off Ledge Point in April 1963. This led Graeme onto a career in maritime archaeology and numerous publications. The discovery of the Gilt Dragon, and later that year, the wreck of the Batavia, was the impetus for important Commonwealth legislation to protect historic shipwrecks. This event is part of the 2013 Western Australian Heritage Festival. See www.nationaltrust.org.au/wa/Heritage-Festival.

A free event

Maritime Bookings: contact 9431 8455.

Geraldton Bookings: contact 9921 5080.