Blackfriars shipwrecks facts for kids
The Blackfriars shipwrecks are a group of old ships found buried near the River Thames in London, England. An archaeologist named Peter Marsden discovered them while workers were building a new wall along the river. The first shipwreck was found on September 6, 1962. Two more were found in 1970, and another one later, making a total of four Blackfriars wrecks. These discoveries teach us a lot about how ships were built and what life was like in London many centuries ago.
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Blackfriars I: An Ancient Roman Ship
The first ship, called Blackfriars I, was found by Peter Marsden in 1962. This ship is very special because it's the oldest known sailing ship built in northern Europe. It dates back to the 2nd century AD, a time when the Romans were very active in Britain.
What Was Blackfriars I Like?
Blackfriars I was about 52 to 55 feet (16 to 17 meters) long and 20 feet (6 meters) wide. It had a flat bottom instead of a deep keel, which is the main support beam along the bottom of a ship. This design helped it sail in shallow waters.
The ship was built using an advanced method for its time, where the frame was put together first. This made building faster and saved wood. Its hull (the main body of the ship) was made of planks joined side-by-side, sealed with hazel shavings and pine resin.
What Was Blackfriars I Carrying?
Archaeologists found a small bronze coin of the Emperor Domitian inside the ship, near where the mast would have stood. This ship was carrying a heavy cargo of about 26 tons of Kentish ragstone, a type of stone used for building.
The ship likely sank after hitting another vessel, causing its cargo to shift and making it lean to one side. Experts believe Blackfriars I was used to transport building materials, perhaps for Roman construction projects in London. Other items found included pottery pieces, a wooden mallet, and a piece of leather.
Blackfriars II: A Ship from the Great Fire Era
The Blackfriars II ship was found in June 1969, east of Blackfriars Bridge. This ship was carrying a cargo of bricks when it sank.
What Was Blackfriars II Carrying?
Archaeologists Peter Marsden and R. Inman excavated this wreck. They found new red bricks, pipes, and pottery dating from 1660 to 1680. This information helped them figure out that the ship was likely carrying materials to help rebuild London after the terrible Great Fire of 1666.
Blackfriars III and IV: Medieval Collisions
The Blackfriars III and IV ships were discovered in 1970, very close to where the first two wrecks were found. These ships date back to the 15th century.
What Happened to Blackfriars III and IV?
It's believed that these two ships sank because they collided with each other. The Blackfriars IV likely crashed into Blackfriars III, causing it to sink. No cargo was found on these ships, but archaeologists did find two pewter badges, a bronze arm from a pair of shears, two large lead weights, and an iron grapnel (a small anchor with multiple hooks). Like the other Blackfriars ships, these two were probably used for transporting building supplies.
Blackfriars III: A Complete Medieval Ship
The Blackfriars III is the most complete medieval sailing ship ever found in Britain. It was built around the year 1400 and was about 48 feet (14.6 meters) long, 14 feet (4.3 meters) wide, and 2 feet 11 inches (0.9 meters) high. Peter Marsden thought this ship looked like a type of river vessel called a "shout."
Blackfriars IV: A Small River Craft
The Blackfriars IV was a smaller vessel, built around the 15th century. It was estimated to be only about 10 feet (3 meters) wide. It was likely a local river boat used to help unload cargo from larger ships.
See also
- Blackfriars, London
- Blackfriars Bridge
- Classis Britannica
