Shipwreck and boating accident records

Research Guide to shipwreck and boating accident records at Queensland State Archives.

The circumstances of each shipwreck and boating accident vary, and information is recorded by various departments and courts according to those circumstances, e.g. where lives are lost or major damage occurs there is likely to be a Marine Board enquiry; if there is a legal case over a salvage claim or payment of insurance, information may be in the Vice Admiralty Court records; and if the Queensland Government paid for the search and rescue expedition there may be correspondence in the Treasury Department records. Queensland State Archives’ map collection, particularly hydrographic charts may be useful for pinpointing the location of wrecks. Although wrecks may not be shown on charts, the identification of place names including names no longer used, and navigational aids may assist in establishing the location of wrecks.