365 @ 54°30' South: June 29: Heritage artefacts and beach treasure

Thursday 2 July 2015

June 29: Heritage artefacts and beach treasure

We have had high winds and big swells overnight, and the Ranger-in-Charge, was headed out to check on some of the heritage sites that are now particularly close to the waters edge. I jumped at the chance to tag along for a brisk walk down the west beach.
In 1917 under the oversight of Joseph Hatch, an Iron Boiler and Digester were established to produce oil from the blubber of seals harvested on the west coast. It was one of the smallest production sites, and it remained in operation for two years until 1919 ,when all sealing operations at Macquarie Island ceased.

In 2003, the boiler and digester was toppled in a huge storm and moved 50 metres from its original site. Following heavy rainfall in 2013 a landslide partially buried the site. The digester now sits close to the waters edge and with wave action continually changing the shape of the beach, this heritage site remains in danger of suffering further impact.

The Rangers here on Macca have a big challenge in maintaining these historical sites. An extremely corrosive sub-Antarctic environment takes it's toll on steel and iron work, and when artefacts are placed under threat by natural occurrences, there is limited access for machinery at most sites to assist in any recovery.

On the way back to Station we found an old metal flanged piece of pipe. On closer inspection it was filled with molten glass, and a partially intact ornate old bottle. It has possibly been uncovered by the recent seas moving sand around the beach or has been dumped on the shore by the big surf. With all of our strength the two of us could not lift it to carry it up above the wave line, so we photographed it, and took note of it's location to return with a GPS to record its exact location. It may be remnant from earlier station days, or even be debris from one of the many ships that were wrecked along this coast. Such fun to find treasure.