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Ancient footprints are not the only archaeological discoveries that have been brought to light by recent winter storms. At the end of January, gale-force winds and massive waves revealed a large fragment of a 17th-century shipwreck on Studland Beach in Dorset. It is believed to be a section from the hull of the Swash Channel wreck, which was first identified in 2004 (see CA 232).
The newly exposed portion measures approximately 6m (20ft) long and 2m (6.5ft) wide, and comprises at least 15 frames, which are connected by wooden treenails to five outer hull planks (below). While the frames are heavily eroded, the hull planks appear to be in excellent condition, which suggests that the remains have probably been buried in sand since the vessel was wrecked, and have been only intermittently exposed over the centuries.
The link to the Swash Channel wreck (which was excavated by Bournemouth University in 2010; see CA 284) is suggested because of the location and style of construction of the remains. The timbers have since been carefully excavated by Bournemouth University and the National Trust, and have been transported to MAST conservation labs in Poole; the team have applied to Historic England for funding to take dendrochronological samples that might confirm this connection.
Previous research has suggested that the Swash Channel Wreck might represent the remains of The Fame, a Dutch 40-gun merchant ship that, contemporary accounts suggest, was grounded on a notorious sandbank in 1631, ultimately breaking apart, which is when the recently discovered section was probably washed ashore. All 45 crew were reportedly able to abandon the ship safely (CA 327).
Commenting on the discovery, 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 treenails are still in place and holding after 400 years – what a testament to the craftsmanship at the time!’ The full publication of the original excavation was recently published by Archaeopress and is available as a free eBook (CA 424; http://www.archaeopress.com/Archaeopress/Products/9781803277875).
Text: Kathryn Krakowka / Image: National Trust, Steve Haywood
