Maritime record MDO47961 - Mermaid 1628

Wreck event and documentary evidence:

A ship called the MERMAID was wrecked near Poole 'during the lifetime of the late Duke of Buckingham'. George Villiers was made Duke of Buckingham in 1623 and was assassinated on 23 August 1628; he was Lord High Admiral from 1619 to 1628.) The wreck was salvaged by the residents of Poole, and the remains were valued at between £40 and £50. It appears that Buckingham had not been paid his share of the value of the wreck, due to him as Lord High Admiral. A letter written to request that the High Court of Admiralty enquire into the circumstances and recover any money due to the Duke's estate. (1)

'Feb. 11. Buckingham House. 53. William Alcock to Nicholas. Has lately received information, by Roger Fursby, Marshal of the Admiralty for Dorset, that in the life of the late Duke of Buckingham a wreck happened near Poole of a ship supposed to be called the MERMAID, the remains of which, amounting in value to 40l. or 50l., were seised into divers men's hands of the same town, and were demanded by Mr. Raleigh, then Deputy Vice-Admiral of the said county, now deceased, and by the said Marshal, but denied by the possessors thereof. Beseeches him to move for a commission to inquire into the business, and to take possession of whatever may be found of the said ship due to the late Duke, and not accounted for in his lifetime.' (2)

Date of loss qualifier: Approximate date of loss

<1> Bournemouth University, 2014, Swash Channel Wreck Post excavation assessment, 64 (Unpublished document). SDO20619.

<2> Calendar of State Papers Domestic, Charles I - volume 260: February 1634 p461 (Monograph). SWX4893.

<3> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1616068 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Apr 6 2024 10:38AM