Eastbourne wreck site facts for kids
Imagine finding a mystery deep under the sea! In 2019, the remains of an unknown ship were discovered. This shipwreck lies about 14 kilometers (9 miles) southeast of Beachy Head in East Sussex, England. Because it's an important historical find, the site was officially protected on July 5, 2019. It is now known as a Protected Wreck, looked after by an organization called Historic England. This means the wreck is safe from harm and can be studied by experts.
What Was Found at the Shipwreck?
This amazing underwater site holds a wooden ship that has been resting on the seabed for centuries. Divers have found many interesting things there. These include old cannons, bricks that might have been part of the ship's kitchen (called a galley), and other objects stuck together by the sea over time. There are also large, shaped stone blocks, which are a bit of a puzzle!
How the Shipwreck Was Discovered
The story of this discovery began in 2019. Divers were exploring an area that the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office had marked as an "obstruction." This office maps the seabed to help ships navigate safely. After the initial find, a group called the Nautical Archaeological Society went back to investigate further.
They carefully explored the site and made some exciting observations. They counted at least thirteen cannon, which are large guns used on old ships. They also saw more galley bricks and many objects that had become "concreted." This means they were covered and stuck together by a hard layer of sand, shells, and minerals from the seawater. The divers also spotted what looked like the bottom of a copper cauldron, perhaps used for cooking on board.
Unraveling the Ship's Secrets
Experts believe this shipwreck is a Dutch vessel from the 1600s. This was a time when sea battles were common. It's possible this ship was involved in famous conflicts like the Battle of Portland or the Battle of Beachy Head. These were big naval fights that happened in the English Channel. Studying the wreck helps historians learn more about these important events and what life was like on ships long ago.
