And New South Wales’ PS Wagga Wagga and Wollongbar (II) are two of 14 wrecks whose stories feature in a nationally touring panel exhibition Submerged – Stories of Australia’s Shipwrecks uncovering Australia’s rich shipwreck history.

Submerged is presented by the Australian National Maritime Museum and the Australian Maritime Museums Council and is the result of a national project with workshops held across the country to develop the exhibition and to source shipwreck stories.

Sixty-eight shipwreck stories were nominated by 46 maritime museums and heritage institutions from around Australia with 14 of the most compelling stories selected to feature in the exhibition.

PS Wagga Wagga was the last operational paddle steamer on the Murrumbidgee River. It had spent 40 years plying the treacherous waters between Hay and Wagga Wagga before it hit a snag and foundered in 1913 at Narrandera. Screw-driven steamer Wollongbar (II) was carrying cargo when it was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine and sank at Crescent Head near Port Macquarie in 1943.

The exhibition also features wrecks of merchant vessels, trawlers, schooners, whalers and a submarine. The oldest wreck featured is WA’s Batavia. Its 1629 loss on Beacon Island, and subsequent mutiny, is one of the most dramatic events in Dutch and Australian history.

Other wrecks include Sanyo Maru, a Japanese motor vessel lost in 1937 in Boucaut Bay NT, British merchant ship Sydney Cove lost in 1797 off Preservation Island, Tasmania and the Fijian fishing trawler Degei which struck rocks on Donington Reef, SA in 1974.

The exhibition also features one shipwreck from outside Australia – Australia’s second submarine HMAS AE2 which was lost in 1915 during the First World War in the Sea of Marmara, Turkey.

Australian National Maritime Museum director Kevin Sumption said “As an island nation, shipwrecks are a very important part of Australia’s rich maritime heritage. The Australian National Maritime Museum is delighted to be partnering with the Australian Maritime Museums Council to unlock these fascinating stories and remember everyone who lost their lives on our coast.”

Submerged – Stories of Australia’s Shipwrecks is on a two year national tour across regional Australia. All 68 submitted shipwreck stories are available now on the AMMC website in a digital archive – www.maritimemuseumsaustralia.com/page/submissions-1.

The exhibition is assisted by the Australian Government Visions of Australia program.

Submerged – Stories of Australia’s Shipwrecks is on display at Urunga Museum until October 31.

Urunga Museum, 33 Morgo Street Urunga

Museum Hours: Monday to Friday 10am to 1pm

Phone  02 6655 63119