A WA Museum research team is using modern technology to rediscover a historical treasure trove deep beneath the ocean surface off Rottnest Island – five wrecks have been identified so far.
On the sea floor lies physical evidence of some of Australia’s military history, with the area used as a virtual graveyard for aircraft, vehicles and ships until almost 50 years ago.
The large concentration of wrecks is an unprecedented discovery, according to museum head of maritime archaeology Jeremy Green, who said it was one of six coastal dumping sites used by military Australia-wide in decades past.
“There are ships down there that were built towards the end of the 19th Century and it’s very interesting how so many of them are still in good nick,” Dr Green said.