In Conversation: The Shipwreck Under the City

Once the largest wooden vessel built in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, the Inconstant spent three years upon the waters before foundering in Wellington’s harbor and becoming a central part of early Wellington’s history.

Archaeologist Mary O’Keeffe of Heritage Solutions discusses the archaeological investigation and recovery efforts of the shipwreck that the “Father of Wellington” John Plimmer re-purposed into Plimmer’s Ark–a Lambton Quay warehouse used as an auction house, customs office and lighthouse before being buried beneath the first Bank of New Zealand building for over 100 years. Mary was one of the archaeologists involved in excavating Plimmer’s Ark in the 1990’s.

After the talk participants will take a short walk down to the Old Bank Arcade and check out the Ark itself.

Entry by Koha.