The site was discovered in 2005 by local diver Richard Edmonds who reported the site to English Heritage. It is believed to be the wreck of an unknown small or small-medium sized sailing cargo vessel. The cargo consists of a mound of pig iron and possible scrap guns (including a rare Bronze gun) and an iron anchor lying within 5 metres of the mound on the eastern end.
wrecking event is unlikely to have been earlier than 1550 or later than 1750 if the guns were being carried as armament (1850 if carried as cargo).
The presence of the rare cast bronze muzzle loading gun, possibly a falcon likely cast in 1550-1700, and its threat to salvage led to an emergency designation order being passed on 17th July 2005. Following the designation the site recieved favourable local and regional media coverage.
West Bay is designated under The Protection of Wrecks Act (1973). English Heritage are the administrators and the licensee monitors the site.
Wessex Archaeology's diving investigations
During 2005 Wessex Archaeology conducted diving operations assessing the site and preparing a photo mosaic plan, which was used to produce a georeferenced site plan to be used as a basis for the site monitoring.
Following the diving investigation Wessex Archaeology undertook some basic desk based studies on the site and discovered that the identity of the wreck was unknown and the limited documentary evidence for known recorded losses in the area does not fit the archaeological evidence that is present on the site.
A copy of the full report of Wessex Archaeology's investigation can be downloaded as a .pdf below.
INSERT PDF REPORT LINK
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wrecking event is unlikely to have been earlier than 1550 or later than 1750 if the guns were being carried as armament (1850 if carried as cargo).
The presence of the rare cast bronze muzzle loading gun, possibly a falcon likely cast in 1550-1700, and its threat to salvage led to an emergency designation order being passed on 17th July 2005. Following the designation the site recieved favourable local and regional media coverage.
West Bay is designated under The Protection of Wrecks Act (1973). English Heritage are the administrators and the licensee monitors the site.
Wessex Archaeology's diving investigations
During 2005 Wessex Archaeology conducted diving operations assessing the site and preparing a photo mosaic plan, which was used to produce a georeferenced site plan to be used as a basis for the site monitoring.
Following the diving investigation Wessex Archaeology undertook some basic desk based studies on the site and discovered that the identity of the wreck was unknown and the limited documentary evidence for known recorded losses in the area does not fit the archaeological evidence that is present on the site.
A copy of the full report of Wessex Archaeology's investigation can be downloaded as a .pdf below.
INSERT PDF REPORT LINK
INSERT_MAP