Unknown wreck off the coast of the Isle Of Wight given protected status – English Heritage looking for Voluntary Licensee to look after site
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has designated a wreck site off the north coast of the Isle of Wight as a Protected Wreck upon the recommendation of English Heritage, taking the total of Protected Wrecks Sites in England to 48.
The designated area has a radius of 75m and unauthorised diving within this area is illegal.
The wreck site is highly unusual in that it contains an almost complete assemblage of a mid- to late 19th Century wooden merchant sailing ship, consisting of the ship’s structure complete with its hull, planking and fitting, many small finds scattered over the site associated with different aspects of shipboard life, and technology including rigging and navigation equipment. There are also materials possibly associated with the ship’s cargo or provisions.
The site is currently under no immediate threat but evidence gathered during fieldwork suggests that some parts of the wreck have been exposed and these exposed materials are at risk of loss. English Heritage will be drawing up a management plan for the site after carrying out a detailed risk assessment as part of its Heritage At Risk programme. Its new designated status will also help to prevent unauthorised interference.
English Heritage is also looking for a Voluntary Licensee to look after the wreck. Any interested parties should contact Mark Dunkley. Voluntary Licensees and their teams play a vital role in helping to look after and manage the most significant historic ship wrecks in UK coastal waters. Their work ranges from monitoring wreck sites, carrying out surveys, excavating a wreck or installing diver trails. Licensees can also help to provide access to a wreck site.
An interesting strand of work for the licensee of this wreck is to investigate its identity.
If you are interested in the Voluntary Licensee position for this wreck, contact Mark Dunkley at English Heritage:
