The Discovery of the Northumberland Shipwreck
The Northumberland, a 70-gun ship constructed in Bristol in 1679, sank off the coast of Kent in 1703, during strong winds in what was termed ‘The Great Storm’. Recently, cannons and coils of rope from the English Warship have been discovered by divers.
The survey to inspect the shipwreck site was conducted in July, revealing wooden chests, swords, and musket balls. Hefin Meara, one of the Historic England maritime archaeologists, described the findings as a big part of the ship’s structure, stating that it was truly fantastic.
For over 300 years, the wreck of the ship has remained buried in the Goodwin Sands, 9 miles off the Kent shoreline. However, as the sand began to shift in recent years, the ship’s secrets were gradually unveiled.
Preservation Efforts
A divers’ team from Historic England is striving to preserve the remarkably intact shipwreck. Paul Jeffery, Marine Team Leader at Historic England, emphasized the significance of the Northumberland as a part of Samuel Pepys’ new English Navy, which marked the birth of the Royal Navy.
The well-preserved wreck is buried deeply under the sand, with large sections of the ship and its contents still intact. Mr. Jeffery expressed concerns about potential damage from sands, currents, and sea creatures now that the wreck is exposed.
Mr. Meara, who dived about 20 meters to the ship, observed a great iron ship and wooden structures, along with organic materials such as coils of rope and small wooden objects. He noted the challenges of lifting the warship out of the sea due to the high cost and effort required.
In conclusion, the discovery of the Northumberland shipwreck has provided valuable insights into naval history and maritime archaeology. The preservation efforts by Historic England are crucial to safeguarding this significant piece of England’s naval heritage.