Exploration of shipwrecks in Goa waters, on the central west
coast of India

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Sila Tripati, P Gudigar, Sundaresh an A.s. Gaur 
        Marine Archaeology Centre, National Institute of oceanography 
                        Dona Paula, Goa-403 004 India

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During marine archaeological exploration remains of wrecks were located in
Sunchi reef (between Mormugao and Cabo headlands), St, George reef and off
Baga in Goa waters. In each site boat-towed metal detector and visual
surveys were also carried out. The nature of seabed, current pattern and
water depth is different from site to site. The Sunchi reef exploration has
revealed a wreck in 3 to 9 m water depth. Four iron cannons, each one 2m in
length, a cast iron cannon ball, pieces of glass bottle, pottery and a
number of dressed granite blocks are the important finds from the wreck. 

The underwater exploration on the eastern side of St. George reef revealed
the remains of a shipwreck in 15m water depth containing various types of
scattered terrocotta artefacts such as bricks, wall fixing and flooring
tiles at times inscribed "Basel Mission Tile Works 1865" and a number of
household decorative materials. The timber of the ship is also noticed in
between the rocks. 

The underwater metal detector survey followed by diving in Baga waters
revealed a steel hulled wreck in 5 to 6m water depth opposite to the
seminary The wreck is buried in the sediment and partly visible. Due to poor
visibility no artefacts could be noticed in the Baga wreck. The paper
outlines the approach applied to locate the wrecks, state of the find and
probably causes for the wreck.