Early ship’s cannons found in Sound

Press, 10 March 1984, Page 29

Early ship’s cannons found in Sound

PA Invercargill Two cannons from the first European vessel lost on the New Zealand coast — the Endeavour, in 1795 — have been recovered in Dusky Sound, Fiordland. The two cannons, each weighing about 1.5 tonnes, were found in about 20 metres of water in Facile Harbour. Dr Simon Cotton and Mr Sigmund Spatt, of Auckland, made the find when they were in Fiordland on a twoweek expedition to make a film about ancient shells and sub-tropical coral in Dusky Sound. Dr Cotton said that while researching the history of Doubtful Sound, he studied the log of the Endeavour — not Captain Cook’s ship of the same name — printed in the Begg brothers’ book, “Dusky Bay.” He said he came to the conclusion that the two can-

nons must still be there.

A log of an officer reprinted in the book was open to several interpretations but Dr Cotton said he felt sure the two cannons must be somewhere in the inner Facile Harbour. An underwater archaeologist, Mr Kelly Tarlton, was invited to join the expedition and help find the cannons, and it was he who found them. The Historic Places Trust was consulted for approval to search before the expedition began, Dr Cotton said.

Mr Tarlton found that one of the cannons was exposed and there were also signs of fossicking round the wreck.

The Historic Places Trust was contacted urgently by radio and. approval was given to remove the cannons for safekeeping, eventually in a museum. The Fiordland National Park vessel Renown was

chartered for the expedition and was used to lift the cannons from the water. Park staff are caring for the two cannons on the advice of Mr Tarlton. The Fiordland National Park chief ranger, Mr Paul Green, said that considering the length of time they had been in the water, the cannons were in “pretty good repair.” ’‘They do not look anything at the moment, but once they have been cleaned up, they will be fine,” he said.

Each is about two. metres long and it was interesting that they were not a matching pair, he said. As well as the cannons, about 60 different types of uncatalogued fish were also discovered by the crew, he said.

Filming has been completed and the crew is on its way back to Auckland.