by The wreck of an “exceptionally well -preserved” warship from the 18th century reveals its treasures that change when the sand reveals its fuselage.
The Northumberland, which sank in 1703 during the “big storm”, had been sitting on the sea floor off the coast for 320 years. However, divers have recently discovered well -preserved wooden boxes, iron cannons and copper kettle, which were previously covered with sand and sediment.
Historians say that the new finds could be “the lack of connection” to understand more about shipbuilding during the Stuart period, but warned that they are now a “high risk of deterioration” because they are exposed to the elements.
Rope coils were unveiled on the ship (MSDS Marine/Pascoe Archeology)
The ship was built in 1679 as part of the regeneration of the English Navy by Samuel Pepys. It sank on November 26, 1703 on the tricky Goodwin Sands, where it has been located since then.
Divers have uncovered more from the ship’s skeleton than was previously assumed that they survived, together with the evidence for several decks and part of a wooden pistol car.
Dan Snow, founder and creative director of history, said: “Northumberland is the missing link. Around halfway between the Mary Rose And HMS victoryAt this crucial moment in our history, this wreck can fill out decisive details about shipbuilding and life at sea. We have that Mary RoseThe ‘Tudor time capsule’, here is a Stuart time capsule that sits next to it. “
Diving lid wooden boxes (MSDS Marine)
However, experts from historical England said that the moving sediment threatens to expose “physical, chemical and biological processes” that could damage the artifacts.
“Shifting sands, strong currents and wooden bores that dig and damage into the sea floor in wooden structures continue to make these fragile protected wreckage unstable, which is a high risk of deterioration,” she said.
“It is above a large area of the sea floor between 15 and 20 meters and is covered by concretion or sea resources. However, more is exposed every day.”
Divers examined the ship in July 2024 (Pascoe Archeology)
Alison James, Heritage and Systems Manager at MSDS Marine, added that the wreck “has so much potential to tell us more about the English navy and ships of time” and described it as “to benefit from local communities”.
Future work on the site can include wood samples or dendrochronological sampling in order to learn more about the construction of the ship and confirm the identity of the ship, experts said.
It occurs before the publication of History Film ‘Shipwrack Northumberland and the big storm on Thursday, July 31.
