Dondon462
Contributor
CulturalVandalism in Tonga? Who cares!
Anincident of underwater cultural Vandalism occurred in Ha apai on the 13th November 2012, thatshould make Tongans and all divers very angry. But who really cares?
CulturalHeritage and National Treasures define a nation clearer than words. This livinghistory directly connects us all to our ancestors. Nations around the worldunderstand this and proudly display their heritage to tourists.Much of Tongas past maritime history has been lost. Many old sailing ships, killedand plundered by Tongan warriors for Iron and cannon, hundreds of years ago,remain hidden beneath the ocean. Spanish wrecks are also believed to be in Tonga.
In2009, an anchor believed to belong to William Mariners ship, the Port AuPrince was discovered in Ha apai. This discovery was widely reported aroundthe world, as the Port Au Prince is a famous treasure ship. The local Divecompany Fins and Flukes who made the discovery, attempted to have the areadeclared a heritage site, but no one cared? So they turned it into a successfultourist attraction for divers.
InAugust last year, the discovery of the wreck site of the Port Au Prince inHaapai made headlines all around the world. It was exciting news. This wreckand the stories surrounding it, changed the course of Tongan history forever.The wreck site is of national significance and is woven into the very making ofthe nation and should be considered a National Treasure and subsequently aHeritage site. This wreck deserves a full archeological survey, investigationand accurate documentation, with every item recovered, going through a detailedconservation processes, to ensure the artifacts are preserved for posterity andachieve appropriate values if they are to be sold.
Ultimately,a site management plan should be developed, which may allow it then to beutilized as a world class heritage dive site, attracting divers from around theworld.
At11am on Tuesday the 13th November 2012, unannounced to the people ofHa apai, a local ferry positioned itself above the anchor of the Port auPrince. With the support of a foreign dive team, the anchor was brutally rippedfrom the bottom and dragged up the stern of the ferry, using its mooring winch.No assessment of impacts, caused by the removal seem to have been undertaken.No attempt was made to survey and document the site before removal. No attemptwas made to handle this priceless icon gently, with the care and the respect itdeserves, mitigating further damage. No conservation of the anchor was carriedout at the surface to stop the immediate attack on it, by the effects ofexposure to air? Is this archeological vandalism of a National Treasure atits worst! But who really cares?(info@finsnflukes.comhave started a petition to recover the anchor)
As you read this, the site ofthe Port Au Prince is being SALVAGED, with no site surveys, no mapping , Nophotographic recording, No archeological investigation, No professional conservationof artifacts recovered. old Things are simply being brought to the surface!!
For the past three years, I have been working towardsa plan which may bring proper process to this unfortunate situation. If youwant to know more, you can follow progress on www.bluetreasure.me
Anincident of underwater cultural Vandalism occurred in Ha apai on the 13th November 2012, thatshould make Tongans and all divers very angry. But who really cares?
CulturalHeritage and National Treasures define a nation clearer than words. This livinghistory directly connects us all to our ancestors. Nations around the worldunderstand this and proudly display their heritage to tourists.Much of Tongas past maritime history has been lost. Many old sailing ships, killedand plundered by Tongan warriors for Iron and cannon, hundreds of years ago,remain hidden beneath the ocean. Spanish wrecks are also believed to be in Tonga.
In2009, an anchor believed to belong to William Mariners ship, the Port AuPrince was discovered in Ha apai. This discovery was widely reported aroundthe world, as the Port Au Prince is a famous treasure ship. The local Divecompany Fins and Flukes who made the discovery, attempted to have the areadeclared a heritage site, but no one cared? So they turned it into a successfultourist attraction for divers.
InAugust last year, the discovery of the wreck site of the Port Au Prince inHaapai made headlines all around the world. It was exciting news. This wreckand the stories surrounding it, changed the course of Tongan history forever.The wreck site is of national significance and is woven into the very making ofthe nation and should be considered a National Treasure and subsequently aHeritage site. This wreck deserves a full archeological survey, investigationand accurate documentation, with every item recovered, going through a detailedconservation processes, to ensure the artifacts are preserved for posterity andachieve appropriate values if they are to be sold.
Ultimately,a site management plan should be developed, which may allow it then to beutilized as a world class heritage dive site, attracting divers from around theworld.
At11am on Tuesday the 13th November 2012, unannounced to the people ofHa apai, a local ferry positioned itself above the anchor of the Port auPrince. With the support of a foreign dive team, the anchor was brutally rippedfrom the bottom and dragged up the stern of the ferry, using its mooring winch.No assessment of impacts, caused by the removal seem to have been undertaken.No attempt was made to survey and document the site before removal. No attemptwas made to handle this priceless icon gently, with the care and the respect itdeserves, mitigating further damage. No conservation of the anchor was carriedout at the surface to stop the immediate attack on it, by the effects ofexposure to air? Is this archeological vandalism of a National Treasure atits worst! But who really cares?(info@finsnflukes.comhave started a petition to recover the anchor)
As you read this, the site ofthe Port Au Prince is being SALVAGED, with no site surveys, no mapping , Nophotographic recording, No archeological investigation, No professional conservationof artifacts recovered. old Things are simply being brought to the surface!!
For the past three years, I have been working towardsa plan which may bring proper process to this unfortunate situation. If youwant to know more, you can follow progress on www.bluetreasure.me
