Archive for the 'ALSF' Category

Unknown wreck near Littlehampton (Site 5031)

Published
by
Victoria Lambert
on 8 September, 2008
in ALSF and Shipwrecks
. Closed

Sidescan sonar image - unidentified vessel

The remains of an unidentified wreck broken in two parts and lying on the port side.

The dimensions of the wreck and surrounding debris scatter measures 76m x 16m. The shipwreck is lying in 27m of water and is located to the SW of Littlehampton, West Sussex.

In August 2002 the site was surveyed with sidescan sonar and magnetometer. The strength of the magnetometer results suggested that the vessel was constructed from wood but with ferrous components associated with it, such as ship fittings or cargo. The site was not dived due to adverse weather conditions.

The Bottle Wreck (Site 5013)

Published
by
Victoria Lambert
on 22 August, 2008
in ALSF and Shipwrecks
. Closed

Southern End of Pipe Cargo Commonly known as the “Bottle Wreck”, this site mainly consists of a mound of cargo, since the vessel itself is badly deteriorated. Secondary sources have characterised this wreck as a small sailing coaster or barge with at least two masts. It carried a cargo of cast-iron pipes, beer (in barrels and bottles), and a general cargo (including pottery, cutlery, razors and guns). The pottery assemblage has dated the sinking of the vessel to between 1833 and 1835. The “Bottle Wreck” may also have traded overseas, presumably to the United States since the decoration on the razor handles includes images of George Washington and the Liberty Bell. It is believed that the vessel may have sank on its way from London, where the brewery was located, to a south coast port such as Southampton or Portsmouth.

This wreck is situated 7.18nm ESE of Selsey Bill in the Outer Owers, at a general depth of 19.7m (CD). The dimensions are 14m in length and 6m in breadth.

In August 2002 a geophysical survey of the wreck was completed by Wessex Archaeology, using sidescan sonar and magnetometer. The site was not dived during this year’s fieldwork due to poor weather conditions.

Multibeam sonar image - In June 2003, the site was re-surveyed using multibeam sonar, sub-bottom profiler and magnetometer. The site was only dived once, again due to adverse weather conditions. However, the dive results confirmed that the magnetic anomaly returned by the geophysics survey corresponded with the large cargo of iron pipes.

Finally, in the summer of 2005, a ROV (remotely operated vehicle) was used to obtain live recordings of the wreck site that would go towards the site archive. Examples of the video footage together with underwater photos, a site plan and more information about the Bottle Wreck (including its construction, fittings and cargo) can all be viewed here.

For further information about some of the objects retrieved from this site over the years, visit the Littlehampton museum webpage.

Unknown steam trawler off Worthing, East Sussex (Site 5008)

Published
by
Victoria Lambert
on 12 August, 2008
in ALSF and Shipwrecks
. Closed

Sidescan Sonar - trawler This is the wreck of an unknown steam trawler, probably dating to the first quarter of the 20th century. The vessel is lying on the starboard side and although most of its structure is absent, part of a funnel is visible on the seabed, together with an iron propeller and winch.

The site is situated due south of Worthing, East Sussex and lies at a depth of 23m. The dimensions of the wreck are 42.1m long, 17.5m wide and it stands 4.4m proud of the seabed.

In August 2002, Wessex Archaeology surveyed the wreck site using sidescan sonar and magnetometer. A month later the site was dived confirming the elements of the wreck that remain, together with a description of their current state of preservation.


Concha (Site 5004)

Published
by
Victoria Lambert
on 31 July, 2008
in ALSF and Shipwrecks
. Closed

Multibeam sonar image - Concha 2 Documentary research and geophysical data have identified this wreck as the Belgian steamer Concha, built in 1877. The vessel sank after colliding with the steamer Saint Filians. The Concha’s valuable cargo of tin and copper ore was salvaged shortly after its sinking, but the iron ore cargo still remains in and around the wreck site.

The site is situated 7.5nm SSE of Littlehampton, West Sussex between the Outer Owers and Kingmere Rocks. It lies in 10.7m (CD) of water on a sandy/gravelly seabed. The dimensions of the wreck are 66m in length and 7-10m in width.

In 2002 the site was geophysically surveyed by Wessex Archaeology, using sidescan sonar and magnetometer. The sidescan image shows the vessel upright on the seabed and largely unburied, and the magnetometer results indicate a large metal anomaly associated with the wreck; presumably a combination of the iron ore cargo and metal hull. Technical problems meant that no diving survey of the wreck was completed that year.

Concha - anchorIn 2003, the area was re-surveyed using multibeam, sub-bottom profiler and magnetometer, confirming the results collected from 2002.

Most recently, in the summer of 2005, WA used a ROV (remotely operated vehicle) to survey the site, and obtain a video archive of the wreck site. Examples of the video footage together with underwater photos, a site plan and more information about the Concha (including its construction, fittings, machinery, cargo and artefacts) can all be viewed here.

A list of the Concha’s vessel specifications from Lloyds Register can be viewed here.

B-24 bomber near Eastbourne (Site 5001)

Published
by
Victoria Lambert
on 22 July, 2008
in ALSF and Aircraft
. Closed

Sidescan Sonar - B-24 Liberator

This site is thought to be the remains of a World War II B-24 Liberator bomber.

It is located close to the Sussex coast, near Eastbourne.

In August 2002, Wessex Archaeology surveyed the site using sidescan sonar, although the results produced were not consistent with the wreck of a plane.

Umba (Site 5005)

Published
by
Victoria Lambert
on 14 July, 2008
in ALSF and Shipwrecks
. Closed

Sidescan sonar - Umba

This wreck is the remains of the Umba, an early 20th century merchant vessel that was torpedoed by a German submarine in 1918. The wreck is also commonly known as the “Gun Wreck” after a Russian 6 pounder gun was found mounted on the poop.

The site is located 5.5nm south of Hastings, just to the east of Hastings Shingle Bank. It is lying at a general depth of 22m (CD).

In 2002 the wreck was surveyed using sidescan sonar and magnetometer. The geophysics results confirmed that the vessel was built of either steel or iron, and although largely buried, its dimensions are 96m x 13m. Sidescan images show the wreck is lying on an even keel and standing about 4.5 metres high. The site was not dived during this year’s fieldwork due to hazardous dive conditions.

In the summer of 2005, the site was surveyed using a ROV (remotely operated vehicle). Most of the original wooden decking still remains on the poop, showing how well preserved the wreck is. Examples of the ROV video footage together with underwater photos, a site plan and more information about the Umba (including its construction, vessel type, fittings and machinery) can all be viewed here.

Unknown wreck off Hastings (Site 5003)

Published
by
Victoria Lambert
on 2 July, 2008
in ALSF and Shipwrecks
. Closed

Sidescan sonar - metal wreck

In August 2002, Wessex Archaeology carried out a sidescan sonar and magnetometer survey of this unnamed site, south of Hastings, East Sussex. The site was located using data obtained from the UKHO. There was no dive survey due to adverse weather conditions.

The wreck has a significant magnetic signature, suggesting it is constructed from a ferrous material.

Sidescan data shows it to be 75m long and 15m wide, standing 4.8m proud of the seabed. Two masts are evident protruding from the wreck, about 25m in length.

No further work has been carried out to identify the site.

Devon Coast (Site 5006)

Published
by
Victoria Lambert
on 27 June, 2008
in ALSF and Shipwrecks
. Closed

Multibeam sonar image - Devon Coast

This is the wreck of the Devon Coast, an early 20th century three-masted steamer that sank in 1908 after a collision with another steamer, Jeanie. Locally the site is known as the “Stone Boat” due to the cargo of cement it was transporting. However it has now been identified as the Devon Coast after a diver discovered a builders plate that was inscribed with ‘Harkess and Sons Ltd No. 163′.

The wreck lies in 16m of water (CD) south of Cuckmere Haven in East Sussex. It consists of two separate sections; the full extents of which measure 80m x 18m. A large mound between the two sections is thought to be the remains of the cement cargo. A mast measuring 4.8m still protrudes vertically from the wreck.

In August and October 2002 Wessex Archaeology completed a sidescan sonar survey and two dive surveys in order to test the methodology of rapid survey and assessment, and obtain details about the Devon Coast’s construction and appearance.

In June the following year, WA returned to the site and completed further surveys, including multibeam, sub-bottom profiler and magnetometer. The main aim was to confirm the identification of the vessel as that of the Devon Coast and to complete a reconstruction of the vessel, since no plans survive. The magnetometer results indicated the site is one large metal anomaly; presumably from the metal hull. The multibeam data provided much more evidence of the surviving structural elements of the vessel including the engine, boiler and frames. Diving fieldwork was carried out in August 2003 and comprised cleaning the site, removing anchor tackle, and identifying and recording the wreck remains.

Underwater photos can be viewed by clicking the red spots on the multibeam image here, together with a link to further information about the vessel’s specifications.

Although the dive results showed there was no noticeable change of the condition of the wreck, this site is much more vulnerable to seabed processes due to its close proximity to the shoreline. It is also greatly affected by fishing trawlers - as evidenced by tackle and gear found entwined around the structural elements of the wreck during the diving surveys.

The Portland Stone Wreck (Site 5011)

Published
by
Victoria Lambert
on 19 June, 2008
in ALSF and Shipwrecks
. Closed

This unidentified vessel is known as the “Portland Stone Wreck” and is most likely the remains of a sailing barge or barge-like vessel that sank in the second half of the 19th century. Little of the vessel is visible above the seabed, however the lower sections of the hull are likely to be preserved under the cargo of Portland stone, which is stacked to a height of four metres above the seabed.

From the available evidence, the “Portland Stone Wreck” was a carvel built, single masted sailing vessel with a fairly flat bottom, approximately 15-16m long and 5.5m wide. The wreck lies in 7.7m of water (CD), east of Selsey Bill in an area called “The Park”.

Multibeam sonar image in 3DIn August 2002 Wessex Archaeology surveyed the site using a number of geophysical methods, including sidescan sonar, magnetometer and multibeam sonar. Several dive assessments were also carried out on the site, recording the visible remains of the wreck and noting their condition.

In June 2003, the site was revisited for further geophysical surveying, which included multibeam sonar, sub-bottom profiler and magnetometer. There was also ten dives to the site during the fieldwork, and involved completing a plan of the wreck site using offset and triangulation measurements, sketches and dimensions of vessel features together with underwater photography and video footage (which can be viewed by clicking the red spots on the multibeam image here).

Comparison of the geophysical and dive data from both years showed that the site was not deteriorating markedly and that no major changes were evident.


Unknown wreck off Hastings (Site 5007)

Published
by
Victoria Lambert
on 12 June, 2008
in ALSF and Shipwrecks
. Closed

Sidescan Sonar - metal vessel 2This site contains the remains of an unidentified and very broken up vessel, lying in two sections. The identification of the boiler and the construction method of the riveted plate implies that the wreck was built pre-World War II, and probably sank either during the war or shortly after.

The wreck is situated SE of Hastings, East Sussex and lies at a depth of 16m. The dimensions of the vessel are 85 metres in length and 15 metres in width.

In August 2002 the wreck site was surveyed using sidescan sonar and magnetometer. The magnetometer data indicates that the vessel was made of a ferrous metal. When the site was dived a month later, it became apparent that the vessel had been disturbed after it sank. The UKHO (United Kingdom Hydrographic Office) report for the wreck site noted that the vessel had been swept and dispersed in 1956, confirming the dive results.