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Introduction
The 'Salcombe Cannon Site' has been known of for some 15 years and was considered to be a site where cannons had been discarded centuries before. It was a site that has been visited from time to time by a number of divers though not on a regular basis. It had not been previously considered of historical interest as it had not been believed to be the wreck site of a vessel. Initial investigation over previous years had shown no wreck material.
It was a site that had been recognised by the South West Maritime Archaeological Group as ideal for training for module courses contained in the Nautical Archaeological Society structured courses.
It had been further decided by the SWMAG to fully survey the site and record data for future reference as and when time and weather conditions permitted. It was a site to be investigated within breaks from field work in the Erme Estuary which are two Protected Wreck sites the team are current licensees for. These are protected under The Protection of Wrecks Act 1974.
The team has now been working on the site for over 5 years.
Conclusions to date:
No identification of the vessel has been made. It is considered that the team have as yet not identified the extremities of the site, but have merely identified an area of debris or debris trail that has partially concentrated into four gullies. It further may be that the central area of the site has not be identified.
Research by both the SWMAG, Museums, and Institutions on behalf of the site, are concentrating on records and archives both in England and Holland. It is fair to state that there is a vast amount of general information that has been procured concerning the overall perspective of trade. There does seem to be a leaning towards European origin, perhaps Dutch with English connections trading in Morocco.
Unfortunately there has been no significant recovery of any of the vessels fixtures and fittings. Likewise there has been no recovery or identification of vessel structure. For example no rudder pintles, no brass pins, no nails, although a small number of lead patches noted. To date there has been no identifiable ballast mound and no timber detected.
Assumptions can be made but direct identification is only likely to come from the seabed and site itself. What is of extreme importance is the trade between Europe and the Mediterranean countries and Morocco in particular. Little information is at present known of this period although much is known of the Naval interventions in the area.
This site will ultimately give a very detailed insight into this commercial trade.
We hope you will gain something from this 'History from the Sea'. |
