This book will explore the historical and archaeological evidence of the relationships between a coastal community and the shipwrecks that have occurred along the adjacent shoreline over the last 160 years. Its aim is to move beyond the shipwreck event and show the short and long term economic, social and symbolic significance of wrecks to the people on the shoreline. This volume will draw on extensive oral histories, documentary research and archaeological investigations to examine the tensions within the community, torn between its roles as saviours and salvors.

This book explores the historical and archaeological evidence of the relationships between a coastal community and the shipwrecks that have occurred along the southern Australian shoreline over the last 160 years.