Lost but Not Forgotten: The Significance of Nineteenth-Century American Brigs To a Developing Colonial Australia “ Walter Duane Hano B.A. Southeastern Louisiana University Maritime Archaeology Program College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Flinders University 19 January 2018 STUDENT DECLARATION I certify that this thesis does not incorporate without acknowledgement any material previously submitted for a degree or diploma in any university; and that to the best of my knowledge and belief it does not contain any material previously published or written by another person except where due reference is made in text. Walter Hano Student ID: 2156409 Adelaide, January 2018 i ABSTRACT At the turn of the nineteenth century, wooden brig-rigged sailing vessels were one of the most prevalent types of ship serving in both the naval and merchant sectors. The capabilities of these ships for open–sea sailing, operating in coastal waters and accessing smaller ports are just some of what made these vessels so popular, especially to the maritime-based economy of colonial Australia. Concurrently, the growing shipbuilding industry in the emergent United States quickly was becoming the world leader, and American ships were present the world over. The focus of this thesis is to highlight and investigate the participation of American brigs in Australian maritime commerce and its importance to the maritime-based economies of the Australian colonies. Supplementing this broad-based study is a more detailed and regionally focused examination of the American brig Ida, wrecked on the South Australian coast in 1857. Ida’s ship biography is developed within the framework of the so-called BULSI system, incorporating the results of archaeological site excavation and historical and archival research. These details provide a specific case example for the broader study context and help advance understanding of the presence of American brigs in Australian waters during the nineteenth century and the contributions that these ships made to the economic development of the colonies and, ultimately, the nation of Australia. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am thankful to all of those who assisted me throughout this project. Firstly, to my supervisors, Dr. Wendy van Duivenvoorde and Mark Polzer, for their guidance and support with this project and throughout my stay at Flinders University. I look forward to what the future holds. Secondly, to John Naumann for not only aiding with this project, but for all the advice and wisdom he has shared with me. A special thank you goes out to everyone that assisted with the excavation and surveying of Ida. I am extremely grateful for all the hard work everyone put in, without it this project would not have been possible. To my friends, both the old in the United States and the new in Australia, your support made a world of difference and I am thankful to have each of you in my life. To my grandmother and grandfather, for always giving as much help as they could and for always being there for me. I will always be grateful for them. To my wonderful fiancé, Tabitha Young, who followed me to the other side of the world to chase a dream. Without your love, support and patience I would be lost. Thank you for everything you do. To my amazing sisters, Ashley and Brooklyn, we may have been a world apart but you two were always with me every step of the way. Finally, to my Mom and Dad, for all the love and support they have given me throughout the years that made all this possible. It has been a long road with ups and downs, but I gave it 110%. I will never be able to repay them for everything they have done for me. I love you both. --Walter D. Hano iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Student Declaration .................................................................................................................. i Abstract ..................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................iii Table of Contents .................................................................................................................... iv List of Figures ........................................................................................................................ vii List of Tables ........................................................................................................................... ix Chapter 1: Introduction .......................................................................................................... 1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 1 Research Questions and Aims ............................................................................................. 2 Research Design and Methods Applied .............................................................................. 3 Project Significance ............................................................................................................. 5 Thesis Configuration ............................................................................................................ 6 Chapter 2: Literature Review ................................................................................................. 8 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 8 Colony and Economy in Australia ....................................................................................... 9 South Australia................................................................................................................... 11 American Shipbuilding ...................................................................................................... 12 Brigs ................................................................................................................................... 14 Comparative Vessels and Other Sources ........................................................................... 15 American Brig, Ida ............................................................................................................ 19 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................... 20 Chapter 3: Methodology........................................................................................................ 22 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 22 Primary and Secondary Source Data Collection ................................................................ 22 iv Case Study: Archaeological Investigation of Ida .............................................................. 23 – Previous Work .................................................................................................... 23 – Site Investigation ................................................................................................ 24 – Wood Species Identification ............................................................................... 25 – BULSI System .................................................................................................... 26 Chapter 4: Excavation and Survey Discussion .................................................................. 28 Survey ............................................................................................................................ 28 Survey Results ............................................................................................................... 30 Excavation ..................................................................................................................... 31 Excavation and Wood Sample Discussion .................................................................... 35 – Excavation ........................................................................................................... 35 – Photogrammetry Models ..................................................................................... 41 – Wood Samples .................................................................................................... 42 – Metal Fasteners ................................................................................................... 46 Chapter 5 Discussion ............................................................................................................. 49 Brigs and Maritime Australia......................................................................................... 49 Trade and Commerce ..................................................................................................... 52 Ida and the South Australian Economy ......................................................................... 54 – Build .................................................................................................................... 54 – Use ...................................................................................................................... 55 – Loss ..................................................................................................................... 56 – Survival ............................................................................................................... 59 – Investigation