‘They call ’imCrowie’: an investigation of the Aboriginal significance attributed to a wrecked River Murray barge in South Australia

Abstract

The Indigenous intangible heritage related to wrecked vessels has been poorly studied and documented. This article provides a counter to dominant maritime archaeology discourses via the investigation of the Aboriginal significance attributed to a wrecked and submerged River Murray barge (Crowie) in South Australia. There are numerous layers of Aboriginal significance that may be attributed to Crowie including the relationship of the community with their ‘underwater country’, Indigenous contributions to the riverboat industry, and the use of Aboriginal terms in vessel‐naming practices. Geophysical data from multibeam and sidescan sonar surveys allowed for confirmation of the proposed location of the wreck and through comparison with historical descriptions and photographs provided evidence to substantiate the assignation of the wreck as the Crowie barge.

3D Mapping of the Submerged Crowie Barge Using Electrical Resistivity Tomography

“…The dimensions of Crowie and its structural composition are well recorded in historical records as well as from previous multibeam and side-scan sonar surveys (summarised by [13]) ( Figure 2). The barge is 45 m long, with a 9 m beam and depth from the base of the hold to the deck of 2.5 m ( [13]: 140). It was built using a bottom-based construction technique.…”

“…Crowie was a commercial cargo barge, built in 1911 by Captain J. G. Arnold. It is claimed to be one of the largest barges ever built for the Murray River ( [12]: 63; in [13]: 137), and its enormous size is recorded in historical accounts as causing several accidents when traveling up the river. Crowie was eventually superseded by other transport methods and was abandoned near the Morgan wharf where it sank at its mooring, sometime between 1946 and 1950 ( [13]: 137) ( Figure 1).…”

“…It was built using a bottom-based construction technique. This led to a flat bottom and straight sides amenable to carry the maximum possible amount of cargo ( [13]: 141). The vessel had one deck, a carvel built sharp stern, straight stem, and a composite construction consisting of iron frames and topsides overlain by timber.…”

“…The vessel had one deck, a carvel built sharp stern, straight stem, and a composite construction consisting of iron frames and topsides overlain by timber. It had nine internal bulkheads ( [13]: 139).…”

“…The vessel slightly protrudes from the water during low water periods and extends to a depth of several meters. The extremely turbid water of the Murray makes a visual assessment of the wreck impossible; however geophysical data and inspection of the wreck by touch suggest it is largely intact below the deck-level for its entire length ( [13]: 139). The frames of the vessel are intact and easily identifiable.…”