Shipwreck timbers from 17th Century appear on beach

Part of a historic shipwreck has been revealed on a beach in the wake of Storm Chandra.

The exposed timbers were discovered at the National Trust-owned Studland Bay, in Dorset, on 28 January.

Maritime archaeologists from Bournemouth University believe it forms a missing piece of the Swash Channel wreck that was first discovered in the 1990s in a key shipping approach to Poole Harbour.

It is thought that the wreck is most likely the Fame from Hoorn, an armed Dutch merchant ship that ran aground and sank in 1631.

The section of ship, thought to be part of the hull, measures approximately 6m (19.6ft) long and 2m (6.5ft) wide.

A large layer of planking is missing from the vessel's interior, which indicates the remains have been buried in sand since the 1630s, according to the National Trust.

Tracey Churcher, general manager for the National Trust in Purbeck, said: "I'm always astounded by the history we find at Studland but this has been a real treasure.

"The wooden tree nails are still in place and holding after 400 years. What a testament to the craftsmanship at the time."

Final confirmation of the wreck's origin will come from dendrochronology testing that will assess when and where the timbers used to build the ship were grown and whether they match those previously analysed from the Swash Channel wreck.

The team at Bournemouth University have applied to Historic England for a grant to excavate the timbers on the presumption it is part of the protected wreck.

Hefin Meara, maritime archaeologist from Historic England said: "The Swash Channel wreck is one of only 57 shipwrecks around the coast of England designated under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973.

"Firmly dated remains of vessels predating 1700 are exceptionally rare. We can't say for certain that these fragments come from that wreck site, but it's an intriguing possibility."

Protected wrecks have legal protection, meaning that any disturbance or interference is only permitted under an official licence.

It is hoped the timbers revealed at Studland will join the collection currently displayed at Poole Museum.

Until then, visitors have been urged to help protect the site by not touching the exposed timbers.

The Fame of Hoorn was estimated to be around 40m (131.2ft) long, 10m (32.8m) wide and 15m (49.2ft) high, and would have been capable of carrying more than 40 guns to defend itself against pirates during voyages to the Caribbean to bring back salt.

Records state that all 45 members of the crew abandoned the ship safely when it grounded, but the wreck was soon looted by people in the area.

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