The site known as the Diamond is the wreck of a 19th century merchant vessel. Although recorded as the
Diamond there is now some doubt as to the accuracy of this identification. The site was discovered in 2000 during a magnotometer survey in the area and was subsequently dived regularly by those involved. The site consists of a timber hulled vessel with iron reinforcements protruding from the seabed. Following the survey of the wreck over the initial two years the site was then designated under the Protection of Wrecks Act (1973), for the reason that if it were the Diamond it would offer an early example of a composite vessel.
The site was proven to not be that of the Diamond following the discovery of an iron pin that carried a Muntz Metal stamp. Muntz Metal was not given patent assignation until 1832 (seven years after the Diamond sank), this discovery therefore gave an earliest possible date for the wreck, which is still unknown. After the site was designated the Malvern Archaeological Diving Unit became involved in the investigations and produced archive research along with general survey of the wreck site.
During the 2006 dive season MADU under the guidance of Nigel Nayling of the University of Wales in Lampeter recovered timber samples from the site for dendrochronological analysis. The results from this further disproved the sites identity as the Diamond as the dendrochronological date pointed to a date around 1840, 15 years after it sank, also the wood type came back as elm, oak and pine as apposed to oak and locust as the Diamond was built of.
The site was designated under the Protection of Wrecks Act (1973) on 1st April 2002. The site is managed by Cadw and is administered by the licensee.
Wessex Archaeology's diving investigations
During 2007 Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Cadw to undertake a Designated Site Assessment of the wreck site. Whilst there an extensive photographic record of the main features was completed along with an assessment of the site's condition.
A copy of the report compiled following Wessex Archaeology's investigations can be downloaded as a .pdf below.
INSERT COPY OF REPORT PDF
INSERT_MAP
Diamond there is now some doubt as to the accuracy of this identification. The site was discovered in 2000 during a magnotometer survey in the area and was subsequently dived regularly by those involved. The site consists of a timber hulled vessel with iron reinforcements protruding from the seabed. Following the survey of the wreck over the initial two years the site was then designated under the Protection of Wrecks Act (1973), for the reason that if it were the Diamond it would offer an early example of a composite vessel.
The site was proven to not be that of the Diamond following the discovery of an iron pin that carried a Muntz Metal stamp. Muntz Metal was not given patent assignation until 1832 (seven years after the Diamond sank), this discovery therefore gave an earliest possible date for the wreck, which is still unknown. After the site was designated the Malvern Archaeological Diving Unit became involved in the investigations and produced archive research along with general survey of the wreck site.
During the 2006 dive season MADU under the guidance of Nigel Nayling of the University of Wales in Lampeter recovered timber samples from the site for dendrochronological analysis. The results from this further disproved the sites identity as the Diamond as the dendrochronological date pointed to a date around 1840, 15 years after it sank, also the wood type came back as elm, oak and pine as apposed to oak and locust as the Diamond was built of.
The site was designated under the Protection of Wrecks Act (1973) on 1st April 2002. The site is managed by Cadw and is administered by the licensee.
Wessex Archaeology's diving investigations
During 2007 Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Cadw to undertake a Designated Site Assessment of the wreck site. Whilst there an extensive photographic record of the main features was completed along with an assessment of the site's condition.
A copy of the report compiled following Wessex Archaeology's investigations can be downloaded as a .pdf below.
INSERT COPY OF REPORT PDF
INSERT_MAP