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Stuff.co.nz Marine archaeologists want to see a mystery eight tonne anchor turned into a memorial for Kiwi seafarers who have perished at sea. 
The barnacle-coated anchor, thought to have been lost overboard from an Orlando-class battle cruiser in the 1890s, was slowly winched out of eight metres of water yesterday near Taranaki St Wharf. It was raised by the floating crane Hikitia so an aluminium surround could be attached to it in an effort to prevent further corrosion. It was later returned to the seabed. "We hope the anchor might eventually be put on display on the waterfront as a memorial to all New Zealand seamen lost at sea," said Maritime Archaeological Association vice-president Malcolm McGregor. At least $30,000 is needed to preserve the anchor by bathing it in a protective, caustic solution. Association members had not been able to link the anchor to a specific ship, but Mr McGregor speculated it may have been inadvertently dropped from an Orlando class battle cruiser in the late 1890s. "The very unusual anchor is of the style made for the very large naval ships of [that time]." The British Navy launched the seven-ship Orlando class in 1886, and the ships are known to have visited Wellington from 1889. The anchor was first raised from the seabed in 1995 north of Aotea Quay, after the Rangitata dropped anchor during a berthing manoeuvre and snagged it. When the mystery chain was first raised by the Hikitia in 1995, crew were surprised to discover the large anchor attached to it. The Hikitia returned the anchor to the seabed at the Taranaki St Wharf till a plan could be developed for its conservation and display. The 4.6-metre anchor was first raised for inspection in 2000. Since then it has been submerged. Former National Museum conservation officer Jack Fry, who heads the Maritime Archaeological Association's conservation volunteers, said the anchor would "make a fantastic memorial to those who have died at sea". Volunteer Hikitia crew returned the anchor to the water for a third time yesterday afternoon.
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