Ancient wreckage found in Lipis believed to be from steamship

KUANTAN (Bernama): Wreckage that was found after floodwaters receded two weeks ago about 220km from here is believed to be from a steamship used for gold-mining activities in Penjom, which had been going on since the 19th century.

Pahang Tourism, Culture, Environment, Plantation and Commodity Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin (pic) said based on preliminary analysis, the ship was estimated to be between 25m and 30m long.

"More than 100 fragments of wood were found which are believed to be part of the ship. A number of commercial ceramics the same age as the ship's relics, comprising Chinese and European ceramics, were also found at the discovery site," he said Thursday (Jan 28).

Sharkar said the National Heritage Department together with the Pahang State Museum Corporation, assisted by villagers, had carried out the process of documenting, recording and preserving the artifacts over five days starting Jan 19.

He said the artefacts would be placed at the Lipis Heritage Museum under the care of Lipis District Office.

He added that, based on historical records, there were several steamships that operated in the area, among them were the SS Amherst, which was reported to have sunk in Kuala Pahang, and the Seri Pahang, which is believed to have sunk in Paloh Hinai, Pekan.

The shipwreck was found on the banks of Sungai Lipis, near Kampung Pagar, Penjom suspension bridge on Jan 14 after the village was hit by floods on Jan 3. - Bernama