RHYLL FORESHORE ARCHAEOLOGICAL PRECINCT
Location
BEACH ROAD RHYLL, BASS COAST SHIRE
Level
Heritage Inventory Site
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Statement of Significance
Detailed assessments of the significance of Dorwards Slipway, the Mooring Dolphin and the Genista shipwreck is provided in the accompanying Heritage Impact Assessment completed by Cosmos Archaeology Pty Ltd. As follows:
Dorwards Slipway - There is potential for further timber remains and artefact material associated with Dorwards slipway and jetty under the foreshore and current Boat Ramp. The place has been present on the foreshore from the 1920’s, having undergone repairs and reconstruction.
Mooring / Dolphin-There is low potential for timber remains and artefact material associated with the timber dolphin structure to be present on or in the seabed.
The Genista sank at its moorings on the landward side of the dolphin at Rhyll while being dismantled and remained in situ until 1966, when Ports and Harbours removed the boiler and used explosives on the wreck to flatten the vessel.The history of the vessel and its basic details are known. There is little known about the working life of this vessel. Due to the damage to the vessel after being blown up, it is likely that the remains would have low integrity. As there are gaps in the historical record of this vessel, archaeological remains may be able to shed light on Genista’s working life.
The history of the vessel and its basic details are known about the Ventnor. As the vessel was partially dismantled however Initial assessment rated the archaeological significance of the vessel as low (see attached Heritage impact assessment completed Cosmos Archaeology 2020) however Test excavation of the site in December 2020 has revealed that approximately two thirds of the lower hull section remain in place and is in a good state of preservation. The Ventnor has potential to provide construction details for a relatively unusual (flat bottom) hull form. In addition, being built in Footscray (albeit relatively recently) Ventnor is one of a relatively rare group of Australian-built shipwrecks available for study
Group
Maritime Industry
Category
Other - Maritime Industry
