�������������� ����������� shank length of almost four metres , and appeared to be of some age .
“ Although anchor finds on the seabed are not that uncommon , they are often lost accidentally and don ’ t automatically indicate there is a shipwreck close by . But there is a golden rule ! If there is a shipwreck present , you should search in the direction the anchor ’ s shank points towards ... and that ’ s where it will
�������� be . This we did and were rewarded when our sonar system
������ showed the distinct ����
signs and outline of a shipwreck site . Two significant targets stood out in the centre of the site : they were about 2.5 metres long , round , and of a hard density . I jokingly remarked to Dave , ‘ there ’ s two big cannon there ’! We both laughed but it turned out that was exactly what they were .”
The first investigative dive soon confirmed that there were indeed two cannon on the site . One was a heavily encrusted iron gun , while the second was a large bronze Dutch gun . The pair of wreck detectives later determined it had been produced by the Dutch gun founder , Assvervs Koster , in Amsterdam in the early 1600s .
Realising that this was a wreck of some significance , they began assembling a survey file . Further diving on the site soon confirmed that were a lot more cannon , many of them made of iron but so far at least six large bronze cannon also have been found . The identity of the ship is unconfirmed ; there are several possible candidates , but more clues are needed before it can be confirmed .
Iron guns
The second of the two newly protected wrecks was found in 2019 . Known , for now , by its reference number NW96 , it was located about a half a mile away from the first wreck . Martin describes the discovery : “ We were still surveying the first wreck site but diving can only take place on slack water as the tidal streams here run hard and fast . So , we would continue to carry out electronic seabed surveys while at sea . We located another wreck site that appeared to be a cargo vessel .
“ The cargo looked to be large blocks of stone , not an unusual find in our home waters , as coastal vessels have carried such cargo along the South Coast for hundreds of years . We had already found several other wrecks with stone cargo . I decided to dive on the site to confirm
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our suspicions , however on reaching the seabed I immediately realised that I was wrong . They were not stone blocks at all , but huge slabs of lead ingots . I had never seen any like this before and there were a lot of them too ! Also on the site were very old iron guns , along with large cannon balls , but they were made of stone not iron ! These are a rare find and indicated a vessel that was many centuries old .”
Another survey file was started . The lead ingots were measured and photographed ; some had unusual markings stamped on them , possibly merchant identification . Britain was a major source of lead from as early as the 12th century , much of which was exported to Europe and beyond . Initial research failed to find any other reported ingots that matched the large size of those on the wreck site .
A leading expert on the history of Britain ’ s lead mining industry , Dr Lynn Willies , assessed the details of the ingots .
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Provisional plan of the NW68 bronze cannon site drawn shortly after diving by the Maritime Archaeology Trust and Wessex Archaeology
“ I had never seen or heard of any ingots like these being found before ,” Dr Willies said . “ But there are historical records that indicate they did exist in post medieval times , and were almost certainly produced prior to 1580 . The markings are fascinating , and again I have never seen any like them before .”
The men presented their findings to one of the country ’ s foremost maritime archaeologists , Julie Satchell , from the Maritime Archaeology Trust based in Southampton .
Julie has a vast experience of working with historic shipwrecks and has been heavily involved in other protected wrecks in the area , including HMS Assurance . Lost at The Needles in 1753 , the 44-gun , fifth rate ship foundered after grounding on the Needles Rocks on passage from Jamaica to Portsmouth . She has also worked on the Yarmouth Roads wreck , believed to be the Santa Lucia , which sank in 1567 .
Archaeologists preparing to dive on the wreck site
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