Sealers' Oven

Statement of Significance

Sealers’ Oven, a primitive bread oven of granite stones and pug, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: It is evidence of the activities of sealers prior to the colonisation of Western Australia. It is an extremely rare example of its kind on the Western Australian coast. It is highly valued by the community as an important relic within Waychinicup National Park.

Physical Description

Sealers’ Oven is a small kiln structure of natural granite stone and pug that was used for baking bread. It is built on a granite outcrop, and is roughly circular in plan with a diameter of about 1.5m at the base. The walls curve inwards, giving it a beehive shape, and rise to a height of about 1m and diameter of about .75m. The oven has a central opening at the top in which the fuel and dough would have been inserted, and there are two smaller ventilation holes at the base. The granite stones were locally sourced and generally flat, broad and inherently stable. Some of the notable features of this place include: • Locally sourced stones • The nearby cave (shelter) Some obvious modifications include: • Rounder stones at top indicate partial reconstruction

History

Sealers’ Oven is a relic from pre-European settlement in Western Australia, constructed by seal traders visiting the south coast around 1800. Commercial hunting of seals and whales began in Australia in 1790. Discovery of King George Sound in 1791 enabled sealing and whaling industries to establish stations along this stretch of coastline. The safe anchorage and abundant fresh water supply at Waychinicup Inlet became known to sealers operating along the coast. Sealers’ Oven was erected for the sealers who occasionally anchored in the inlet. Due to the notable decline in the seal population, sealing in Western Australia ceased during 1840-1850. In 1973, at the request of the National Trust, the Western Australian Government established a reserve of 12 square metres around the Sealers’ Oven to protect it. In 1977, the Sealers’ Oven was classified by the National Trust. In 1990, stage one of the Waychinnicup National Park was achieved and is now a high conservation area with scenic views and the Sealers’ Oven. A hollowed cave, with a dry stone retaining wall at its entrance, is located in close proximity to the Sealers’ Oven and may well have been used as a shelter by the sealers.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High Authenticity: High/Moderate

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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