Latest news with #SandayWreck
Metro
20 hours ago
- General
- Metro
Archaeologists discover 250-year-old shipwreck on remote island
Hiyah Zaidi Published July 24, 2025 3:55pm Link is copied Comments A 250-year-old shipwreck was discovered on the island of Sanday, Orkney, after a school boy uncovered the ribs of the wooden ship poking through the dunes of a remote Scottish beach. This discovery resulted in a team of archaeologists, scientists, and local historians uncovering the vessel's long-lost history. And now, after dedicated research, an answer to its story has emerged (Picture: Wessex Archaeology/PA Wire) Researchers have revealed that the wreck is likely to be the Earl of Chatham, which is an 18th-century warship from the American War of Independence. After the war, the ship had a second life hunting whales in the Arctic, but met a stormy demise in the 'cradle of shipwrecks' in 1788 (Picture: AP) Ben Saunders (pictured), senior marine archaeologist at Wessex Archaeology, said: 'It is thanks to our dedicated team of community researchers and the evidence they have gathered means we have been able to identify the Sanday Wreck with a reasonable degree of confidence. Throughout this project, we have learned so much about the wreck, but also about the community in Sanday in the 1780s. Sanday was infamous for shipwrecks at the time, called 'the cradle of shipwrecks in Scotland', but the community was equally well-known for its hospitality, as it looked after sailors who fell afoul of the area's stormy seas' (Picture: Historic Environment Scotland/PA Wire) The wreck was first discovered in February 2024, after a storm swept away sand that was covering it. It sparked the interest of the island, which is home to around 500 people, and around 270 shipwrecks have been recorded around the 20-square-mile island since the 15th century. Looking at the age of the timber through wood rings revealed that the ship came from southern England in the middle of the 18th century, when record keeping started to begin thoroughly (Picture: Wessex Archaeology/PA Wire) Further research revealed that before it had a life as the Earl of Chatham, it was the HMS Hind, a 24-gun Royal Navy frigate which was built in Chichester in 1749. It had a massive military career, where it helped Britain control Canada from France during the sieges of Louisbourg and Quebec in the 1750s. In the 1770s, it served as a convoy escort during Britain's failed effort to hold onto its American colonies. But in 1784, it was sold off and renamed, becoming a whaling ship, hunting the huge mammals in the Arctic waters off Greenland (Picture: Orkney Islands Council/PA Wire) But in 1788, while the ship was heading out on a whaling trip, it was wrecked in bad weather off Sanday. Turning old Royal Navy ships into whaling ships was common, as their build allowed them to withstand the icy conditions of British whaling routes. The Earl of Chatham completed four seasons in the Arctic before meeting its end in the Bay of Lopness in March 1788. It carried 56 sailors on board at the time, but they all survived (Picture: Orkney Islands Council/PA Wire) Now, the timbers are being preserved in a freshwater tank at the Sanday Heritage Centre, where they will stay for around two years. Keeping the timbers in a tank helps prevent them from decaying, because as soon as they are removed from the sea they start to dry out and break down (Picture: Historic Environment Scotland/PA Wire)
Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
250-year-old warship discovered on remote Scottish island; what we know so far
In a remarkable discovery sparked by a schoolboy's curiosity, the remains of a centuries-old wooden ship have surfaced on the remote shores of Sanday, Orkney. As per the BBC reports, a sizable portion of a remarkably well-preserved shipwreck, believed to be several centuries old, has washed up on a beach in Orkney. The structure features large wooden pegs securing the timbers—a construction technique known to have been widely used since the 16th century. The wreck, reportedly, was first spotted in February 2024, after a storm swept away layers of sand, has now been identified to be likely the Earl of Chatham —a former Royal Navy vessel turned Arctic whaler that met its end in 1788. What initially appeared as just wooden ribs jutting out of the dunes quickly caught the attention of archaeologists, scientists, and local historians. Months of dedicated research and dendrochronological analysis—tree ring dating of the timbers—revealed that the ship was constructed from wood sourced in southern England in the mid-18th century. Combined with community-led archival work, this evidence has led experts to conclude that the wreck is most likely the Earl of Chatham . In this image provided by Wessex Archaeology, the Sanday Wreck timbers are seen before being placed in a freshwater tank at the Sanday Heritage Centre, on Orkney, Sept 23, 2024. (Fionn McArthur/Wessex Archaeology via AP) Before its final chapter as a whaling vessel, the ship had an illustrious military past. Originally commissioned as the HMS Hind , a sixth-rate 24-gun frigate built in Chichester in 1749, it played a significant role in British naval campaigns during the 1750s. It saw action during the sieges of Louisbourg and Quebec, helping Britain gain control of parts of Canada from the French. During the 1770s, it also served as a convoy escort amid the American Revolutionary War. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indonesia: New Container Houses (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search ads Search Now Undo Read more: Ever wondered what the world would be like without men? Try this island In 1784, following its decommissioning from the Royal Navy, the Hind was sold, renamed the Earl of Chatham , and refitted for whaling in the Arctic waters off Greenland. Its robust naval design made it ideal for enduring the harsh conditions of the British whaling routes. The ship completed four successful Arctic seasons before a powerful storm drove it aground in the Bay of Lopness, Sanday, in March 1788. Despite the wreck, all 56 crew members survived the incident. Sanday, often called 'the cradle of shipwrecks in Scotland,' has a long history of maritime incidents, with over 270 recorded wrecks around its 20-square-mile coastline. However, the island has also been known for its hospitality, something senior marine archaeologist Ben Saunders of Wessex Archaeology highlighted during the project. 'Now that we have this knowledge about the wreck and how it came to rest in Sanday, the next step is is very much to explore what the community here would like to see happen," he said. 'The community was well-known for looking after sailors who fell afoul of the area's stormy seas.' Read more: 7 Indian cities and their coolest local bazaars to explore Today, the remains of the ship are being carefully preserved in a freshwater tank at the Sanday Heritage Centre, funded by the National Heritage Memorial Fund. This conservation method prevents the ancient timbers from decaying, as they begin to deteriorate rapidly once exposed to air. Clive Struver, chair of the Sanday Development Trust, called the project 'hugely exciting,' and emphasized that the next step would be to involve the local community in deciding how to share the story and legacy of the Earl of Chatham . From a child's beachside discovery to a full-scale archaeological revelation, the Earl of Chatham not only serves as a window into 18th-century maritime life, but also a powerful reminder of Sanday's enduring connection to the sea.
Toronto Sun
6 days ago
- General
- Toronto Sun
Science and local sleuthing identify a 250-year-old shipwreck on a Scottish island
Published Jul 23, 2025 • 3 minute read In this image provided by Wessex Archaeology, the Sanday Wreck is seen on the shores of Sanday on Orkney, Feb. 2024. Photo by Wessex Archaeology via AP / AP LONDON — When a schoolboy going for a run found the ribs of a wooden ship poking through the dunes of a remote Scottish beach, it sparked a hunt by archeologists, scientists and local historians to uncover its story. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Through a mix of high-tech science and community research, they have an answer. Researchers announced Wednesday that the vessel is very likely the Earl of Chatham, an 18th-century warship that saw action in the American War of Independence before a second life hunting whales in the Arctic — and then a stormy demise. 'I would regard it as a lucky ship, which is a strange thing to say about a ship that's wrecked,' said Ben Saunders, senior marine archeologist at Wessex Archaeology, a charity that helped community researchers conduct the investigation. 'I think if it had been found in many other places, it wouldn't necessarily have had that community drive, that desire to recover and study that material, and also the community spirit to do it,' Saunders said. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In this image provided by Wessex Archaeology, the Sanday Wreck timbers are seen before being placed in a freshwater tank at the Sanday Heritage Centre, on Orkney, Sept 23, 2024. Photo by Fionn McArthur/Wessex Archaeology via AP / AP The wreck was discovered in February 2024 after a storm swept away sand covering it on Sanday, one of the rugged Orkney Islands that lie off Scotland's northern tip. It excited interest on the island of 500 people, whose history is bound up with the sea and its dangers. Around 270 shipwrecks have been recorded around the 20-square-mile (50-square-kilometre) island since the 15th century. Local farmers used their tractors and trailers to haul the 12 tons of oak timbers off the beach, before local researchers set to work trying to identify it. 'That was really good fun, and it was such a good feeling about the community — everybody pulling together to get it back,' said Sylvia Thorne, one of the island's community researchers. 'Quite a few people are really getting interested in it and becoming experts.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Dendrochronology — the science of dating wood from tree rings — showed the timber came from southern England in the middle of the 18th century. That was one bit of luck, Saunders said, because it coincides with 'the point where British bureaucracy's really starting to kick off' and detailed records were being kept. 'And so we can then start to look at the archive evidence that we have for the wrecks in Orkney,' Saunders said. 'It becomes a process of elimination. 'You remove ones that are Northern European as opposed to British, you remove wrecks that are too small or operating out of the north of England and you really are down to two or three … and Earl of Chatham is the last one left.' Wars and whaling Further research found that before it was the Earl of Chatham, the ship was HMS Hind, a 24-gun Royal Navy frigate built in Chichester on England's south coast in 1749. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Its military career saw it play a part in the expansion — and contraction — of the British Empire. It helped Britain wrest control of Canada from France during the sieges of Louisbourg and Quebec in the 1750s, and in the 1770s served as a convoy escort during Britain's failed effort to hold onto its American colonies. Sold off by the navy in 1784 and renamed, the vessel became a whaling ship, hunting the huge mammals in the Arctic waters off Greenland. Whale oil was an essential fuel of the Industrial Revolution, used to lubricate machinery, soften fabric and light city streets. Saunders said that in 1787 there were 120 London-based whaling ships in the Greenland Sea, the Earl of Chatham among them. A year later, while heading out to the whaling ground, it was wrecked in bad weather off Sanday. All 56 crew members survived — more evidence, Saunders says, that this was a vessel blessed with luck. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The ship's timbers are being preserved in a freshwater tank at the Sanday Heritage Centre while plans are discussed to put it on permanent display. Saunders said that the project is a model of community involvement in archeology. 'The community have been so keen, have been so desirous to be involved and to find out things to learn, and they're so proud of it. It's down to them it was discovered, it's down to them it was recovered and it's been stabilized and been protected,' he said. For locals, it's a link to the island's maritime past — and future. Finding long-buried wrecks could become more common as climate change alters the wind patterns around Britain and reshapes the coastline. 'One of the biggest things I've got out of this project is realizing how much the past in Sanday is just constantly with you — either visible or just under the surface,' said Ruth Peace, another community researcher. Canada Sunshine Girls Olympics Columnists Sunshine Girls
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First Post
6 days ago
- General
- First Post
How scientists solved the mystery of the 250-year-old shipwreck that emerged from a Scottish island
Archaeologists and volunteers have identified a 250-year-old shipwreck, which was discovered on the island of Sanday in Scotland's Orkney. They believe it to be the former Royal Navy vessel, HMS Hind, which was renamed once it became a whaling ship. Here's how they unravelled its secrets read more The Sanday Wreck is seen on the shores of Sanday on Orkney. The wreck was discovered in February 2024 after a storm swept away sand covering it. Wessex Archaeology via AP When a schoolboy going for a run found the ribs of a wooden ship poking through the dunes of a remote Scottish beach, it sparked a hunt by archaeologists, scientists and local historians to uncover its story. Through a mix of high-tech science and community research, they have an answer. Researchers announced Wednesday that the vessel is very likely the Earl of Chatham, an 18th-Century warship that saw action in the American War of Independence before a second life hunting whales in the Arctic — and then a stormy demise. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'I would regard it as a lucky ship, which is a strange thing to say about a ship that's wrecked,' said Ben Saunders, senior marine archaeologist at Wessex Archaeology, a charity that helped community researchers conduct the investigation. 'I think if it had been found in many other places, it wouldn't necessarily have had that community drive, that desire to recover and study that material, and also the community spirit to do it,' Saunders said. Uncovered after 250 years The wreck was discovered in February 2024 after a storm swept away sand covering it on Sanday, one of the rugged Orkney Islands that lie off Scotland's northern tip. It excited interest on the island of 500 people, whose history is bound up with the sea and its dangers. Around 270 shipwrecks have been recorded around the 50-square-kilometre island since the 15th Century. Local farmers used their tractors and trailers to haul the 12 tonnes of oak timbers off the beach, before local researchers set to work trying to identify it. 'That was really good fun, and it was such a good feeling about the community – everybody pulling together to get it back,' said Sylvia Thorne, one of the island's community researchers. 'Quite a few people are really getting interested in it and becoming experts.' Ben Saunders from Wessex Archaeology supervises the Sanday Wreck timbers as they are placed in a freshwater tank to preserve them. Wessex Archaeology via AP Dendrochronology — the science of dating wood from tree rings — showed the timber came from southern England in the middle of the 18th Century. That was one bit of luck, Saunders said, because it coincides with 'the point where British bureaucracy's really starting to kick off' and detailed records were being kept. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'And so we can then start to look at the archive evidence that we have for the wrecks in Orkney,' Saunders said. 'It becomes a process of elimination. 'You remove ones that are Northern European as opposed to British, you remove wrecks that are too small or operating out of the north of England and you really are down to two or three … and Earl of Chatham is the last one left.' Wars and whaling Further research found that before it was the Earl of Chatham, the ship was HMS Hind, a 24-gun Royal Navy frigate built in Chichester on England's south coast in 1749. Its military career saw it play a part in the expansion — and contraction — of the British Empire. It helped Britain wrest control of Canada from France during the sieges of Louisbourg and Quebec in the 1750s, and in the 1770s served as a convoy escort during Britain's failed effort to hold onto its American colonies. Sold off by the navy in 1784 and renamed, the vessel became a whaling ship, hunting the huge mammals in the Arctic waters off Greenland. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Whale oil was an essential fuel of the Industrial Revolution, used to lubricate machinery, soften fabric and light city streets. Saunders said that in 1787 there were 120 London-based whaling ships in the Greenland Sea, the Earl of Chatham among them. A year later, while heading out to the whaling ground, it was wrecked in bad weather off Sanday. All 56 crew members survived — more evidence, Saunders says, that this was a vessel blessed with luck. The Sanday Wreck timbers are seen before being placed in a freshwater tank at the Sanday Heritage Centre, on Orkney. Wessex Archaeology via AP Community effort The ship's timbers are being preserved in a freshwater tank at the Sanday Heritage Centre while plans are discussed to put it on permanent display. Saunders said that the project is a model of community involvement in archaeology. 'The community have been so keen, have been so desirous to be involved and to find out things to learn, and they're so proud of it. It's down to them it was discovered, it's down to them it was recovered and it's been stabilized and been protected,' he said. For locals, it's a link to the island's maritime past — and future. Finding long-buried wrecks could become more common as climate change alters the wind patterns around Britain and reshapes the coastline. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'One of the biggest things I've got out of this project is realizing how much the past in Sanday is just constantly with you — either visible or just under the surface,' said Ruth Peace, another community researcher.
New York Post
7 days ago
- General
- New York Post
Science and local sleuthing identify 250-year-old shipwreck on Scottish island
When a schoolboy going for a run found the ribs of a wooden ship poking through the dunes of a remote Scottish beach, it sparked a hunt by archaeologists, scientists and local historians to uncover its story. Through a mix of high-tech science and community research, they have an answer. Researchers announced Wednesday that the vessel is very likely the Earl of Chatham, an 18th-century warship that saw action in the American War of Independence before a second life hunting whales in the Arctic — and then a stormy demise. 4 A close-up of the 3d model of the Sanday Wreck, which has recently been identified as the Earl of Chatham. Wessex Archaeology / SWNS 'I would regard it as a lucky ship, which is a strange thing to say about a ship that's wrecked,' said Ben Saunders, senior marine archaeologist at Wessex Archaeology, a charity that helped community researchers conduct the investigation. 'I think if it had been found in many other places, it wouldn't necessarily have had that community drive, that desire to recover and study that material, and also the community spirit to do it,' Saunders said. Uncovered after 250 years The wreck was discovered in February 2024 after a storm swept away sand covering it on Sanday, one of the rugged Orkney Islands that lie off Scotland's northern tip. It excited interest on the island of 500 people, whose history is bound up with the sea and its dangers. Around 270 shipwrecks have been recorded around the 20-square-mile island since the 15th century. Local farmers used their tractors and trailers to haul the 12 tons of oak timbers off the beach, before local researchers set to work trying to identify it. 4 Ben Saunders, Senior Marine Archaeologist at Wessex Archaeology studies a timber sample used for the scientific analysis of the Sanday Wreck. Archaeologists have identified a 250-year-old shipwreck as a former Royal Navy vessel. Historic Environment Scotland / SWNS 'That was really good fun, and it was such a good feeling about the community – everybody pulling together to get it back,' said Sylvia Thorne, one of the island's community researchers. 'Quite a few people are really getting interested in it and becoming experts.' Dendrochronology — the science of dating wood from tree rings — showed the timber came from southern England in the middle of the 18th century. That was one bit of luck, Saunders said, because it coincides with 'the point where British bureaucracy's really starting to kick off' and detailed records were being kept. 'And so we can then start to look at the archive evidence that we have for the wrecks in Orkney,' Saunders said. 'It becomes a process of elimination. 'You remove ones that are Northern European as opposed to British, you remove wrecks that are too small or operating out of the north of England and you really are down to two or three … and Earl of Chatham is the last one left.' 4 Saunders from Wessex Archaeology supervises the Sanday Wreck timbers as they are placed in a freshwater tank to preserve them. Orkney Islands Counci / SWNS Wars and whaling Further research found that before it was the Earl of Chatham, the ship was HMS Hind, a 24-gun Royal Navy frigate built in Chichester on England's south coast in 1749. Its military career saw it play a part in the expansion — and contraction — of the British Empire. It helped Britain wrest control of Canada from France during the sieges of Louisbourg and Quebec in the 1750s, and in the 1770s served as a convoy escort during Britain's failed effort to hold onto its American colonies. Sold off by the navy in 1784 and renamed, the vessel became a whaling ship, hunting the huge mammals in the Arctic waters off Greenland. Whale oil was an essential fuel of the Industrial Revolution, used to lubricate machinery, soften fabric and light city streets. Saunders said that in 1787 there were 120 London-based whaling ships in the Greenland Sea, the Earl of Chatham among them. 4 The Sanday Wreck on the shores of Sanday in February 2024. Wessex Archaeology / SWNS A year later, while heading out to the whaling ground, it was wrecked in bad weather off Sanday. All 56 crew members survived — more evidence, Saunders says, that this was a vessel blessed with luck. Community effort The ship's timbers are being preserved in a freshwater tank at the Sanday Heritage Centre while plans are discussed to put it on permanent display. Saunders said that the project is a model of community involvement in archaeology. 'The community have been so keen, have been so desirous to be involved and to find out things to learn, and they're so proud of it. It's down to them it was discovered, it's down to them it was recovered and it's been stabilized and been protected,' he said. For locals, it's a link to the island's maritime past — and future. Finding long-buried wrecks could become more common as climate change alters the wind patterns around Britain and reshapes the coastline. 'One of the biggest things I've got out of this project is realizing how much the past in Sanday is just constantly with you — either visible or just under the surface,' said Ruth Peace, another community researcher.
