Mystery surrounds shipwreck site

Work has begun in Bunbury to uncover what WA Museum staff hope is the shipwreck of the US whaling ship Samuel Wright.

The ship ran aground in 1840 and surveying work near the proposed Department of Parks and Wildlife headquarters site along Koombana Drive has uncovered what is believed to be the ship.

Bunbury MLA John Castrilli joined WA Museum maritime archaeologist Ross Anderson this morning to announce the beginning of the archaeological work, which will continue until February 16.

Mr Castrilli said environmental and site assessments had taken place at the proposed site for the department for the past 12 months and a geomagnetic survey had indicated there was a large wreck nearby, which he strongly believed was the Samuel Wright.

Mr Anderson said the ship was one of the significant shipwreck sites of Bunbury and if it was found then it would be re-buried at the conclusion of the dig.