Dunwich Bank Wreck facts for kids

Imagine finding a secret from the past hidden deep underwater! Off the coast of Dunwich, a town in Suffolk, England, lies the remains of an old cargo ship. This mysterious ship dates back to the 1500s or 1600s, a time when explorers sailed the world. It was first found in 1993 and is now a special "Protected Wreck." This means it's an important historical site managed by Historic England to keep it safe.

What is the Dunwich Wreck?

The Dunwich Wreck is what's left of an unknown armed cargo ship. It's like a time capsule resting on the seabed. When archaeologists explore the site, they find a mound of debris. This includes old bronze cannons and other objects covered in a hard, rock-like layer called "concretion."

What Was Found on the Ship?

Divers have found many interesting things at the wreck site. They've recovered pieces of timber from the ship's structure. They also found several bronze cannons. These cannons are special because they are "muzzle-loading" (loaded from the front) and "breech-loading" (loaded from the back) guns.

How Old is This Ship?

Experts believe the ship sank sometime between 1556 and 1600. They figured this out by studying the style and type of the cannons found. These bronze cannons were very valuable back then. Because so many valuable items were found, it suggests the ship sank accidentally. It wasn't just items thrown overboard to lighten the load.

How Was the Wreck Discovered?

The story of the Dunwich Wreck began in 1993. A local fisherman was out at sea when he found some timber. This timber had old cannonballs stuck inside it! This amazing discovery led to more investigations.

Exploring the Underwater Mystery

After the fisherman's find, a group called the Suffolk Underwater Studies Unit explored the area. They found more parts of the wreck, including a bronze cannon. Later, other expert teams, like the Archaeological Diving Unit and Wessex Archaeology, helped. They have recorded at least six cannons at the site.

Continued Discoveries

Even recently, in 2020, more work was done. Wessex Archaeology continued to investigate the wreck. This ongoing research helps us learn more about this hidden piece of history. It's like solving a giant underwater puzzle!