HMS Buffalo Re-examination Project

HMS Buffalo Re-examination Project The results from the project will be used for new interpretation and learning experiences and made available to the wider community.

The HMS Buffalo Re-examination Project aims to complete a detailed site survey to provide an accurate interpretation of the HMS Buffalo shipwreck site located in Whitianga, New Zealand. In addition to the planned underwater survey, the project will increase awareness of maritime archaeology both locally and nationally through the engagement with the Mercury Bay Museum, schools, and local and national agencies. HMS Buffalo was built in India in 1813 and originally named Hindostan. Soon after its completion, the Royal British Navy purchased HMS Buffalo and repurposed it several times as a transport, timber carrier, quarantine and immigrant ship travelling between England, Australia, Canada and Aotearoa New Zealand. In 1840 while anchored in Mercury Bay, Buffalo was caught in a storm and became a complete loss. The wreck site now lies 50 m off Buffalo Beach.

🎉Celebrating the very first UNESCO International Day of Underwater Cultural Heritage today Friday 21st August 2026 with ...
20/08/2026

🎉Celebrating the very first UNESCO International Day of Underwater Cultural Heritage today Friday 21st August 2026 with Mercury Bay Museum

For the first time, UNESCO has declared 21 August as the International Day for Underwater Cultural Heritage (UCH), recog...
20/08/2026

For the first time, UNESCO has declared 21 August as the International Day for Underwater Cultural Heritage (UCH), recognising the incredible archaeological and historical heritage that lies beneath our oceans, rivers and lakes.

In recognition of this day, feel free to go on a virtual dive and explore the 3D model of the HMS Buffalo shipwreck https://skfb.ly/oHNNw and get face to face with its timbers.

New Zealand has wonderful UCH sites, so wherever you are in the country, take the opportunity to visit your local maritime sites and explore the history, culture and stories.

3D digital model of the HMS Buffalo shipwreck. HMS Buffalo, a British transport ship, was wrecked on Buffalo Beach, Whitianga, New Zealand in 1840. The HMS Buffalo Re-examination Project (https://mercurybaymuseum.co.nz/hms-buffalo-project/) surveyed and recorded the shipwreck in March 2021 and the m...

👏Amazing mahi by the team at Mercury Bay Museum and Mercury Bay Area School!✏️Its great seeing the students learning abo...
29/07/2026

👏Amazing mahi by the team at Mercury Bay Museum and Mercury Bay Area School!

✏️Its great seeing the students learning about archaeological techniques (digging, drawing & researching) - we have some budding maritime archaeologists!!

⚓️ And all of this while learning about the HMS Buffalo which is a huge piece of our community's history.

July 28th marks 186 years since the wrecking of the British Admiralty Store ship HMS Buffalo in Mercury Bay.With a crew ...
27/07/2026

July 28th marks 186 years since the wrecking of the British Admiralty Store ship HMS Buffalo in Mercury Bay.

With a crew of 46 onboard and being battered by a heavy easterly swell and strong easterly gale, the HMS Buffalo was blown ashore, sadly with a loss of two lives - Seaman Charles Moore & a boy, John Cornes both from Chatham, Kent, England.

Today, we remember all who were on board that fateful day.

We also remember and thank Ngāti Hei for assisting the surviving crew to get ashore safely and providing food and warmth in the hours/days following.
📷 aerial image of HMS Buffalo taken by Phil Hart - Feb 2025

📷 image of yellow buoy marking the wreck site of the HMS Buffalo taken by Rebecca Cox - Jan 2025

The HMS Buffalo Re-examination Project team and the Mercury Bay Museum out there doing it again in the Maritime Archaeol...
15/05/2026

The HMS Buffalo Re-examination Project team and the Mercury Bay Museum out there doing it again in the Maritime Archaeology space!

Address

Buffalo Beach
Whitianga
3510

Telephone

+6478660730

Website

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