Church Rocks Wreck facts for kids
Imagine finding an old, sunken ship! That's what happened in 1975 near Teignmouth, England. Divers found the remains of a mystery shipwreck on some rocks called Church Rocks. This wreck is now a special 'Protected Wreck,' looked after by an organization called Historic England. This means it's an important historical site that needs to be preserved.
What Kind of Ship Is It?
This sunken ship is quite old! Experts believe it's an armed cargo vessel from the late 1500s. It might even be a Venetian trading galley from after the year 1582. A galley was a type of ship often powered by oars and sails, used for trade or war. We know this from the old items found at the site. However, no one knows the exact name of this ship. It remains a mystery!
How Was the Wreck Found?
The wreck was first discovered in 1975. It lies about 150 meters (about 500 feet) from the shore. In 1977, the site became officially protected. This means it's against the law to remove anything from the wreck without special permission.
Even so, between 1975 and 1983, many items were found and taken from the site. These included:
- 120 round cannonballs
- Six guns
- Three anchors
- Pieces of pottery
- A gold seal
- Nails
- A steelyard weight (used for weighing things)
- Pots made of copper alloy
In 2009, Historic England helped pay for the careful cleaning and care of some of these old items. This work helps to preserve them for future generations to learn from.
