SCUBAHUB
Brothers ’ wreck project bears fruit
ARTEFACTS FROM A 17TH CENTURY Royal warship will be going on public display , 15 years after it was discovered by two BSAC members off the coast of Norfolk .
The resting place of the Gloucester was found in 2007 by diving brothers , Lincoln and Julian Barnwell , who are long-time members of East Anglia Branch 11 . Inspired by their late father Michael ’ s passion for wreck diving , the Barnwells ’ search for the Gloucester started when they read about it in a shipwreck index .
The wreck site ’ s discovery , 30 miles offshore , was the result of a four-year search by the brothers that covered a total of 5,000 nautical miles . Its eventual discovery , 325 years after the sinking , is now providing a unique glimpse into 17th Century life .
The Gloucester was carrying the then Duke of York – who went on to become King James II - en-route to Edinburgh when it ran into rough seas just off Great Yarmouth on 6 May 1682 . Within an hour
the vessel had hit a sandbank and sunk , with the loss of an estimated 250 lives . However , the future king survived .
Norwich Castle is now the venue for many of the artefacts from the Gloucester wreck site .
The new exhibition offers an important insight into the everyday life of those onboard and politics of the period . The ship ’ s bell and navigational instruments will be among the items on display , as well as personal possessions of its passengers , including glasses and bottles which still contain French wine .
Julian Barnwell said the new exhibition was a fitting tribute to the Gloucester and all those on board .
“ I look back before we discovered the wreck site when we used to leave Lowestoft Harbour in the dark , then the sun would rise , I ’ d wonder if this would be the day for us . To go from that point to a public display is a very satisfying feeling indeed and a credit to everyone involved .
“ Both my brother and I feel really good about the fact the people who sadly lost their lives on the Gloucester will now be remembered .”
Speaking ahead of the Gloucester exhibition , BSAC ’ s Underwater Heritage Advisor , Jane Maddocks , said that it was always exciting when a wreck is discovered , and its contents made public .
“ At the time of the sinking this was an important vessel . Thanks to the work of many people we can now start to understand the ship , its contents and the personal possessions of those on board . This exhibition will tell the Gloucester story in an engaging way for us to learn about part of our history that has remained hidden for over 300 years .”
The Last Voyage of The Gloucester : Norfolk ’ s Royal Shipwreck opens 25 February 2023 at Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery .
Lincoln ( L ) and Julian Barnwell ( R ) with Prof Claire Jowitt and Dr Ben Redding ( University of East Anglia )
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