Culture Minister David Lammy Acts To Protect The Wreck of 70 Gun Warship Thought To Be Resolution, Sunk Off Sussex in 1703
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Culture Minister David Lammy today took action to protect a wreck, believed to be that of the 70-gun war ship Resolution, recently discovered by divers on the seabed in Pevensey Bay, off the Sussex coast.
His decision to 'designate' the well preserved remains under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 follows a recommendation from English Heritage.
The Order laid in Parliament will protect the newly discovered remains – and the 100m area around them – and will prevent accidental damage.
Culture Minister David Lammy said:
"Shipwrecks and their sites are a vital – and mysterious – part of our heritage. It is right that this valuable wreck site, which has remained preserved and intact on the seabed for at least 200 years, gets this protection. The history of the Resolution is well documented and, if the wreck is indeed that of this vessel, it has the potential to yield a wealth of information on the maritime and military history of the late 17th century."
The site comprises a cluster of at least 45 iron guns lying on top of ballast material, other artefacts and timber hull structure. Archaeological investigations to date have concentrated on confirming the identity of the site to be that of the Resolution primarily through the recording of the ordnance and ballast.
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It is expected that further investigation will be carried out by local divers under licence.
Ian Oxley, Head of Maritime Archaeology at English Heritage, added:
"The site believed to be the Resolution is a crucial part of England's seafaring heritage. It is important we act to ensure that it can be protected without restricting responsible, authorised access and investigation."
Notes to Editors
The Resolution was built in Harwich between 1665 and 1667 and was one of only three third-rate vessels built by noted maritime architect Sir Anthony Deane. In 1669, the Resolution was the flagship in an expedition against the Barbary Corsairs and took part in the unsuccessful attack on the Dutch Smyrna convoy, which resulted in the Third Dutch War.
The Resolution sank during the Great Storm on 26 November 1703, after being blown across the Solent, striking the Owers Banks six or seven times before the crew were able to raise a scrap of sail and round Beachy Head. By this time the ship was taking on water, the hold was full up to the level of the orlop beams, and so the decision was made to attempt to beach her in Pevensey Bay. The remains of the vessel had been burned by French Privateers by January 1704.
The 'Great Storm' is well documented in contemporary newspapers and by Daniel Defoe in his work The Storm: An Essay, written in 1704. Other protected warships lost in the same storm comprise the Stirling Castle, Restoration and Northumberland, located on the Goodwin Sands, off Kent.
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The Minister's action follows the discovery during Spring 2005, by local divers, of a wreck site in Pevensey Bay, East Sussex, whilst attempting to free a lobster pot. DCMS' archaeological contractor assessed the site in September last year, and identified the remains as those of a large warship dating between 1600 and 1800. The preliminary interpretation of the site based on evidence from the assessment is that it is likely to be the wreck of the 70-gun warship Resolution, which sank in the Great Storm of 1703.
Substantial sections of the hull of the wrecked warship exist beneath a mound of ballast. This is particularly exciting as in situ preservation of shipwreck material dating from the 17th and 18th centuries is uncommon. Therefore, following further investigations, this wreck may have the potential to be of even greater archaeological and historical importance than is considered at present.
The Nautical Museum's Trust is the legal owner of the Resolution.
The Secretary of State has power under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 to designate wreck sites which she is satisfied ought to be protected from unauthorised interference on account of their archaeological, historical or artistic importance. Before making a designation order, the Secretary of State is required to consult with appropriate persons (unless she is satisfied that the order should be made as a matter of immediate urgency). Once designated, it is a criminal offence for a person to interfere with the site except under the authority of a licence.
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The designation of the wreck of Resolution brings the total number of UK historic wrecks sites designated under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 to 58.
English Heritage is the Government's advisor on all aspects of the historic environment in England. The National Heritage Act (2002) enabled English Heritage to assume responsibilities for maritime archaeological sites of all types from low water out to the 12 nautical mile (nm) territorial limit around England. The Act also allows the Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport to direct English Heritage to also undertake functions relating to the Advisory Committee for Historic Wreck Sites and the archaeological diving contract. Accordingly, English Heritage has statutory responsibility for the physical management of 43 historic wreck sites designated under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973.
An image of the painting Resolution in a gale by Willem van de Velde, the Younger is available from The National Maritime Museum Press Office on 020 8312 6545.
Press contacts at English Heritage are Helen Nesbitt\Debbie Holden (jobshare) on 020 7973 3855.
Press Enquiries: 0207 211 6052/6277
Out of hours telephone pager no: 07699 751153
Public Enquiries: 0207 211 6200