Bournemouth University’s (BU) Maritime Archaeologists have identified timbers they believe are from a historic shipwreck dating back to the 17th century that were washed up on Studland beach on the 28 January following winter storms.
BU’s Maritime Archaeologist Tom Cousins, who led the survey of the timbers believes they are very likely to be a section of the Swash Channel wreck saying: “It’s really exciting to find this piece of historical ship. During our excavation of the Swash Channel wreck in 2013, there were pieces of the ship missing and we do believe a section of the hull has now been revealed at Studland.”
The Swash Channel wreck was first discovered in the 1990’s in the Swash Channel, a key shipping approach to Poole Harbour. Analysis and historical records indicate the wreck is Dutch or German in origin and most likely ‘The Fame’ from Hoorn, a Dutch merchant ship which ran aground and sank in 1631.
The exposed section of ship measures approximately 6m long and 2m wide and consists of at least fifteen frames connected with wooden treenails to five outer hull planks. The frames appear eroded, but the hull planks are in excellent condition. There would originally have been another layer of planking on the inside of the vessel, but this appears to have been lost. This suggests the remains have been buried in sand since the 1630’s and intermittently exposed over the centuries. This explains why the inner planks are missing and frames eroded, while the outer hull planks survive in such good condition.
‘The Fame’ was estimated to be forty metres long, ten metres wide and fifteen metres high. It would have been capable of carrying more than forty guns to defend itself against pirates during voyages to the Caribbean to bring back salt.
The ship was reported to have dragged its anchor, grounding on a nearby, notorious sandbank where it broke its back. Records state that all 45-crew abandoned ship safely, but local residents quickly set to work looting the wreck.
Rare decorative wooden carvings found during excavations indicate the ship must have been of high status and include an intricately carved head of a man. Such carvings were a long-standing tradition on Dutch ships and it is thought to be a Roman or Dutch soldier of the time. In 2013, after almost 10 years of underwater investigations and what became the largest excavation since the ‘Mary Rose’, parts of the wreck including the carved head, 8.4m (25ft) rudder and other artefacts were brought to the surface. They are now on display in Poole Museum.
Tracey Churcher, General Manager for the National Trust in Purbeck said: “I’m always astounded by the history we find at Studland but this has been a real treasure. The wooden tree nails are still in place and holding after four hundred years – what a testament to the craftmanship at the time.”
Final confirmation will come from dendrochronology testing, which will identify when and where the timbers used to build the ship were grown and whether they match those previously analysed from the Swash Channel wreck. The team at BU have applied to Historic England to excavate the timbers on the presumption it is part of the protected wreck.
Hefin Meara, Maritime Archaeologist from Historic England said: “The Swash Channel wreck is one of only 57 shipwrecks around the coast of England designated under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973. Firmly dated remains of vessels predating 1700 are exceptionally rare. We can't say for certain that these fragments come from that wreck site, but it's an intriguing possibility.”
Protected wrecks have legal protection because of their archaeological and historical significance, meaning that any disturbance or interference is only permitted under an official licence. Should excavation be authorised, the timbers will join the collection currently displayed at Poole Museum. Until then, visitors are asked to help protect the site by not touching or damaging the exposed timbers.
For further information about courses in Maritime Archaeology please visit the BU website.
