Mapping of Underwater Cultural Heritage: The Geophysical Survey and Data Management of HMS Sirius Shipwreck

Abstract

The maritime zones of the Republic of Mauritius bear tangible proof of its rich history. The waters surrounding the main island of Mauritius have been part of major sailing routes since the early years of navigation and became a prime spot for shipwrecks caused by inclement weather conditions, fringing reefs, and naval battles. The Department for Continental Shelf, Maritime Zones Administration and Exploration initiated the Mauritius Underwater Cultural Heritage (MUCH) Project to develop a framework for the sustainable management of Underwater Cultural Heritage (UCH) sites. This effort was in response to a need for identification, preservation, protection, and growing awareness of UCH. A marine geophysical survey of HMS Sirius shipwreck, a British 5th rate frigate that was engaged in the Grand Port naval battle of 1810, was carried out under the MUCH Project in March 2019. The survey was designed to investigate the use of geophysical instruments on the wreck site. The main objectives were to survey and identify the extent of scatter of surficial and subsurface archaeological material in the designated areas using single-beam bathymetry, side-scan sonar, and sub-bottom profiler and produce a structured record of field observations to allow further decision-oriented investigation of the area. The up-to-date information of the wreck site have been compiled in a geographical information system (GIS) format and shared on the Mauritius Ocean Observatory E-platform, a marine spatial data infrastructure used to support Marine Spatial Planning for the Republic of Mauritius.