Winter storms and coastal erosion reveal wreck saved by community
Rising from the intertidal deposits of Sand o’Erraby, a beach in Sanday, Orkney winter storms exposed a single large section of a wooden ship hull.
Sanday residents alerted the authorities and Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and together with Dendrochronicle, to undertake rapid assessment, recording and dendrochronological sampling of a section of wooden wreck.
Identified as the midships section of the bottom of the hull, the section was upside down and the degraded keel visible. Large treenails were used as the fastening between the frames and planking and with minimal evidence for iron fastenings for the planking, construction techniques suggested post-medieval date between the 16th and 19th centuries; with the 17th-18th centuries looking to be the most likely on first inspection.
Sanday residents played a vital role in the first steps in recording the shipwreck, and funding from the North Isles Landscape Partnership Scheme enabled Wessex Archaeology to carry out maritime archaeology training and workshops with the local community, delivered alongside Sanday Heritage Group and archaeological conservator from Orkney, Wendy Robinson.
The future of the wreck’s timbers was secured thanks to an £79,658 grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) to Orkney Islands Council, on behalf of the Sanday community, for a huge freshwater tank to house the wreck and protect it from deterioration. Wessex Archaeology were on hand to oversee the delicate task of transferring the timbers to their new home.
Our Senior Marine Archaeologist, Ben Saunders, said: “We're delighted to be involved in the efforts to conserve and understand this fascinating wreck, and working with the people of Sanday to do so.”
The custom-designed tank, fabricated by Aberdeen-based Waterfront Stainless Steel at their Orkney workshop, features a roll-top lid to enable access for researchers and interested visitors by appointment. The tank is situated alongside Sanday’s Heritage Centre where it will stay for the next 2 to 3 years.
Also on hand throughout the two-day operation was the Council’s Culture Team Manager Nick Hewitt, who approached NHMF for their assistance:
“There was definitely a palpable sense of relief today, from everyone who’s been involved, as the last of the timbers were lowered into the tank.
“While the ship’s past remains a mystery for now, it’s entirely possible it hails from one of the naval superpowers of the time.
“Thanks to the speedy help of National Heritage Memorial Fund, researchers now have the opportunity to carry out the work needed to try and establish the ship’s history.”
Wessex Archaeology are currently awaiting news on further funding to investigate the provenance and age of the timbers through dendrochronology.