SHIPWRECKS

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Shipwrecks laden with ceramics offer a unique time capsule of material for study and research. The wrecks are very often serendipitously found by local fisherman, as in the great majority of the examples discussed in this paper. However, archival research of original documents is also used to identify the general location of shipwreck Spanish galleons, Dutch East India Company - VOC (Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie) ships, and Portuguese trading vessels. The seabed of the general area can then be searched systematically with side-scan sonar, magnetometers, and remotely operated vehicles (ROV) to pinpoint the actual wrecksite. Conversely, a shipwreck, which has already been found, may be positively identified by archival research - as in the case of the Portuguese vessel the Espadarte, discussed further below.

Large quantities of contemporaneously produced ceramics, often from more than just a single production center in a single country, provide an unrivalled opportunity for comparative study of materials, techniques, decorative motifs, production output, and trade patterns. Shipwrecks present a real window into the past and an invaluable aide for establishing production methods, chronologies, comparative dating, stylistic evolution, and trends.

Presented here are descriptive summaries of the Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe, China, and the Americas shipwrecks in terms of location of wreck site, date found, ceramic cargo, disposition of excavated material, and the corresponding ceramics included in the Collection: 99 wrecks, 1,634 ceramics, and 550 Banda wreck shards. Additional information for each of the ceramics is also available in the corresponding Ceramics Catalogue Description Documents and Photos Folders with a detailed description including date, size, location and cost of acquisition; and with Photos of each including the base. There are separate Summaries for each of the Southeast Asia Shipwreck countries (Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand) and a single Summary for the remainder (Other Shipwrecks - Africa Shipwrecks, Europe Shipwrecks, China Shipwrecks, and Americas Shipwrecks). The Shipwrecks are as follows:

Philippines – Lena Shoal (Busuanga), Pandanan, Jolo Wreck (Gujangan), Santa Cruz (Zambales), Balabac Island Shipwreck, San Diego, Royal Captain Shoal (Wreck 2), Marinduque (Gaspar site), San Isidro, Luuk Island Wrecksite, Santiago Island Wrecksite, Unidentified shipwreck No. 1 - an unidentified wrecksite in the Philippines, Unidentified shipwrecks No. 2 to No. 5 - unidentified wrecksites reportedly in the Sulu Sea off of Mindanao.

Malaysia – Royal Nanhai, Longquan, Xuande, Turiang, Desaru, Nanyang, Wanli, Tanjung Simpang, Singtai, Transitional Wrecksite, Diana Cargo, Unidentified Malaysian shipwreck.

Vietnam – Binh Thuan, Hoi An, Ca Mau, Vung Tau (Hon Cau Wreck),

Phu Quoc I, Hon Dam Shipwreck (Phu Quoc II), Phu Quoc II (A), Phu Quoc III (Kien Giang Wreck), Song Doc (Ca Mau Town Wreck), Quang Ngai, Phu Yen (Binh Dinh) Shipwreck, Binh Thuan No. 2 (Yuan shipwreck), Song Doc - Ming wrecksite, Vung Tau No. 2 wrecksite, Quang Ngai No. 2, Tang Wreck, Quang Ngai (Binh Chau) - Yuan Shipwreck, Con Dao Island Wreck, Phan Thiet Shipwreck, Phu Quoc/Cambodia Shipwreck, Quang Ngai (Binh Chau) - Qing Shipwreck, Unidentified shipwreck No. 1, Unidentified Shipwreck No. 2, Unidentified Wrecksite No. 3, Unidentified Wrecksite No. 4, and Unidentified Wrecksite No. 5.

Indonesia – Belitung (Batu Hitam), Belanakan Wreck (Balanikan),

Hatcher Ming (Hatcher Junk, Gosong Serdang), Cirebon,

Nanking Cargo (Geledermalsen), Tek Sing, Karang Cina, Jepara, Mandalika, Pontianak Wreck Site (West Kalimantan, Borneo), Belanakan No. 2 (Untung Jawa, Wanli Cargo Project), Maspare, Ternate - Tidore Shipwreck, Tuban - East Java shipwreck, Kangxi Indonesia Shipwreck, Riau Xicun Shipwreck, Unidentified Indonesia Shipwreck No. 1, Unidentified shipwreck No. 2, Unidentified shipwreck No. 3, and Unidentified shipwreck No. 4.

Thailand – Ko Khram (Sattahip), Ko Kradat Wreck, Pattaya Wrecksite, Prasae Rayong (Rayong), Rang Kwien Wreck, Songkhla Wreck, Ko Si Chang One Wreck, Ko Si Chang Two Wreck, Ko Samui Wreck, Ko Si Chang Three Wreck, Ko Samae San Site, Australia Tide (Klang Aow I), Klang Aow II, Unidentified Gulf of Thailand Shipwrecks - No. 1 to No. 4.

Brunei – Brunei Junk.

Africa – Fort San Sebastian Wreck (Espadarte, Mozambique), São Francisco wreck (Astrolabe wreck, San Francisco wreck), Banda Shipwreck, Sao Joaco Wreck, and Sao Bento Wreck.

Europe – Gotheborg Swedish East Indiaman, Princess Maria (Dutch East India VOC company ship -1686), Association shipwreck (1707), and HMS Colossus (1798).

China – Bai Jiao No. 1 shipwreck (Baijiao I, Lianjiang).Xisha Islands in the South China Sea, Nanhai 2 shipwreck (South China Sea II, Nan Hai No. II), Nanhai 1 shipwreck.

Americas – San Martín (Almiranta de Honduras, Green Cabin wreck) - 1618, Santa Margarita (1622 Spanish Treasure Fleet), Nuestra Señora de la Atocha (1622 Spanish Treasure Fleet), Nuestra Señora de la Pura y Limpia Concepción - 1641, Monte Cristi shipwreck (Pipe Wreck) - 1652, 1715 Spanish Treasure Fleet, Nuestra Señora de la Regla (1715 Spanish Treasure Fleet), Nuestra Señora de Las Nieves (1715 Spanish Treasure Fleet), Santo Cristo de San Roman (1715 Spanish Treasure Fleet), Capitana El Rubí Segundo (Flagship of 1733 Spanish Treasure Fleet), San José y Las Animas (1733 Spanish Treasure Fleet), Unidentified Florida Keys wreck - 1700’s.

A general listing of Shipwreck References is included at the end of the final Summary.

Study and research was conducted on 99 shipwrecks located in Southeast Asia, China, Africa, Europe, and the Americas; representative specimens of ceramics from each of these shipwrecks acquired and safeguarded in personal collection. Detailed information is provided for each Shipwreck along with examples of recovered ceramics and photos. The descriptive summaries for each include location of wrecksite, date found, ceramic cargo, disposition of excavated material, and the corresponding ceramics included in the Ceramics Catalogue: 99 shipwrecks, 1,634 ceramics and 550 Banda wreck shards.

SOUTHEAST ASIA SHIPWRECKS - 79

PHILIPPINES - 14

MALAYSIA - 12

VIETNAM - 26

INDONESIA - 21

THAILAND - 6

OTHER SHIPWRECKS - 20

AFRICA SHIPWRECKS - 3

EUROPE SHIPWRECKS - 4

CHINA SHIPWRECKS - 1

AMERICAS SHIPWRECKS - 12

Detailed information on the Shipwrecks is provided in the following:

Shipwrecks Summary - provides an outline with the name, location, date of sinking, date of discovery, and quantity and cost of ceramics from each shipwreck in the Catalogue (grouped by location). SUMMARY

Shipwrecks Alphabetical Listing - includes name, location, and date of each shipwreck in alphabetical order. LISTING

Shipwreck Ceramics Summaries - includes descriptive details for each of the shipwrecks in terms of location of wreck site, date found, ceramic cargo, disposition of excavated material, and a brief description of the corresponding ceramics included in the Ceramics Catalogue (including size and cost of acquisition): 99 wrecks, 1,634 ceramics, and 550 Banda wreck shards (grouped by location). There are separate Summaries (in the form of individual Documents) for each of the Southeast Asia Shipwreck countries:

Philippines Shipwrecks

Other Shipwrecks (A single Summary for the remainder of the shipwrecks - Brunei Shipwreck, Africa Shipwrecks, Europe Shipwrecks, China Shipwrecks, Americas Shipwrecks; also includes a general listing of Shipwreck References).

CERAMICS CATALOGUE Descriptions - may also be referred to and consist of Documents, organized by category of wares (Burma, Khmer, Thai, Viet, Other; and Qing, Ming, Song, Yuan, Tang), which detail each of the 1,634 shipwreck ceramics and shards including: Catalogue Number, description, size, dating, provenance (origin, place and date of acquisition, cost), and any references to comparable examples.

Shipwreck Ceramics Photos - photos, including the base, of each item from each of the 99 shipwrecks are included organized in Folders for each individual Shipwreck - as listed below:

SOUTHEAST ASIA SHIPWRECKS - 79

PHILIPPINES - 14 Shipwrecks

PHOTOS:

Balabac Island Shipwreck - late 15 to early 16 C

Jolo (Gujangan) Shipwreck - late 15 to early 16 C

Lena Shoal Shipwreck - late 15th C

Luuk Island Shipwreck - early to mid 14 C

Pandanan Shipwreck - mid 15th C

San Diego Shipwreck - 14 December 1600

San Isidro Shipwreck - mid 16th C

Santa Cruz (Zambales) Shipwreck - circa 1490

Santiago Island Wrecksite - mid 17 to early 18 C