Maritime record MWX2392 - Studland Bay Wreck

Wreck in Studland Bay discovered in 1984. Survey and excavation has revealed that the ship was constructed in carvel fashion and numerous wooden items, a cannon and cannon balls and large amounts of early 16th century pottery have been recovered. In addition, a number of ballast stones have been identified as coming from the Basque region of Spain. Originally thought to be the wreck of the San Salvador [SZ 08 SE 8] this is now considered unlikely. Instead it is now thought to be a merchant trader from Spain, possibly trading in the first quarter of the 16th century. Loss Date: 01/01/1525

DESIGNATED WRECK SITE - STUDLAND BAY.

Summary: Site and wreck of vessel, name unknown, possibly of early 16th century date, and thought to be of Spanish origin. Designated History Statutory Instrument: November 27, 1984; 1984 No. 2;1984/1658 Protected area: Within 50m radius of position 50 39 41N, 01 54 48W. Revised by Statutory Instrument: December 14, 1988; 1988/2137 Protected area: Increased to 75m radius at position 50 39.67N, 01 54.79W. (1)

Environment and Archaeological Remains: Sea bed movement following storms in 1984 originally thought to have revealed wreck timbers. Silting occurred during the winter of 1984/1985 and many of the timbers became covered. The sea bed is flat. Timbers were first noted exposed on the seabed in an area 23 metres by 4 metres lying approximately north-south. Further survey and excavation has now shown that the ship survived as distinct areas of wreckage on the sea bed with most of the framing and the timbers from the starboard area comprising one of these and the keel and lower hull resting intact, another. A corroded and encrusted gun, timbers and numerous small objects have been found in yet another area to the south-east. The heel of the keel which was detached from the vessel was raised in 1986 and is presently in storage. Examination of the hull has shown that the ship was constructed in a southern-European style, with the outer planks butted closely together carvel-fashion. Numerous wooden items, a cannon and cannon balls, and large amounts of pottery have been found. The pottery has been identified as Spanish and dating from the early 16th century. Ballast stones have been recovered and approximately half of these have been identified as coming from the Basque region in Spain. Archaeological History Wreck discovered in the spring of 1984 by divers from the Hamworthy Sub-Aqua Club investigating a fisherman's net fastening.

Originally thought to be the wreck of the Spanish carrack SAN SALVADOR sunk in November 1588, flagship of the Paymaster General of the Spanish Armada. Damaged and on fire after action off Portland, the ship was boarded by prize crew and taken to Portland Roads and stripped of cannon and virtually everything of value. Later while being moved to Portsmouth, she capsized and sank in Studland Bay. Considering the nature and dating of some the artefacts, this now seems unlikely. It is possible, considering the date and origin of vessels construction, especially when compared with other known wrecks of the medieval period, that this was a merchant trader from Spain. As the trade with Spain was severely curtailed after Henry VIII's divorce from Catherine of Aragon it is likely the vessel may have been trading in these waters during the first quarter of the 16th century before relations between Spain and England deteriorated. (6)

Archaeological History:

Wreck discovered in the spring of 1984 by divers from the Hamworthy Sub-Aqua Club investigating a fisherman's fastener.

Archaeological archive is held by Poole Museum.

Seabed movement following storms in 1984 originally thought to have revealed wreck timbers. Silting occurred during the winter of 1984/1985 and many of the timbers became covered. The seabed is flat.

Timbers were first noted exposed on the seabed in an area 23 metres by 4 metres lying approximately north-south. Further survey and excavation has now shown that the ship survived as distinct areas of wreckage on the seabed, with most of the framing and the timbers from the starboard area comprising one of these, and the keel and lower hull resting intact, another. A corroded and encrusted gun, timbers and numerous small objects have been found in yet another area to the south-east. The heel of the keel, which was detached from the vessel, was raised in 1986 and is presently in storage.

Examination of the hull has shown that the ship was constructed in a southern-European style, with the outer planks butted closely together carvel-fashion.

Numerous wooden items, a cannon and cannon balls, and large amounts of pottery have been found. The pottery has been identified as Spanish and dating from the early 16th century. Ballast stones have been recovered and approximately half of these have been identified as coming from the Basque region in Spain.

The wreck lies east of the main shipping channel into Poole Harbour, in approximately 10 metres of water, the seabed being flat and comprising silty sand and extensive beds of slipper limpet. (13)

The side comprises three main areas, i.e. the articulated structure of the port side; an articulated keel with planks and floor timbers; and a shallow deposit of material associated with the site. Two areas have been successfully stabilised, while a third remains undisturbed. (13)

The coherent remains comprise a run of 14 slightly discontinuous floor timbers which extend for 7 metres, with the keel extending a further 4.5 metres. The inboard ends of some of the first futtocks survive between the floor timbers. A linear scatter of ballast stone extends to the SE, and incorporates stone shot and pieces of wrought iron ordnance. (13)

Archaeological History:

Wreck discovered in the spring of 1984 by divers from the Hamworthy Sub-Aqua Club investigating a fisherman's fastener.

Diving contractor visits between 1986 and 1998 (ADU). (13)

Over the past decade supervision of the site has been largely the responsibility of the licensee, although no work other than that of a caretaking nature has recently been undertaken. (13)

Additional sources:
B Ferrari: Physical, biological and cultural factors influencing the formation, stabilisation and protection of archaeological deposits in UK coastal waters. (Unpublished PhD Thesis, University of St Andrews, classmark Th CC77.U5F3, 1995)

A Gutierrez: Mediterranean Pottery in Wessex Households (12th to 17th Centuries) BAR 306, 2000

<1> United Kingdom Hydrographic Office, 1992, Hydrographic Office wreck index (Index). SWX4837.

<2> Jarvis, K S and Horsey, I P, 1986, The Studland Bay Wreck- Interim Report, 173-174 (Article in serial). SWX7102.

<3> Jarvis, K S and Horsey, I P, 1987, The Studland Bay Wreck- Interim Report, 190-191 (Article in serial). SWX7103.

<4> Jarvis, K S, 1988, The Studland Bay Wreck Project Interim Report, 139 (Article in serial). SWX7104.

<5> Jarvis, K S and Horsey, I P, 1985, The Studland Bay Wreck- An Interim Report on a Medieval Vessel of c.1500 With a Cargo of Spanish Pottery, 124 (Article in serial). SWX7105.

<6> The Studland Bay wreck : a Spanish shipwreck off the Dorset coast in Poole Museum Heritage Series Page(s) N/a (Monograph). SWX7106.

<7> 1986, Diver [incorporating Underwater World] 1986 No. 4, p30-31 (Article in serial). SWX7107.

<8> Egan, Geoff (Complier), 1985, Post-Medieval Britain in 1984- Wrecks, p163 (Article in serial). SWX7108.

<9> Egan, Geoff (Compiler), 1988, Post-Medieval Britain in 1987- Wrecks, p197 (Article in serial). SWX7109.

<10> Hutchinson, Gillian, 1991, The Early 16th Century Wreck at Studland Bay, Dorset. Carvel Construction Technique, 171-175 (Article in serial). SDO20657.

<11> Thomsen, Mikkel H, 2000, The Studland Bay wreck, Dorset, UK : hull analysis. International journal of nautical archaeology, 69-85 (Article in serial). SWX1069.

<12> Gutierrez, A, A shipwreck cargo of Sevillian pottery from the Studland Bay wreck, Dorset. International journal of nautical archaeology, 24-41 (Article in serial). SDO20658.

<13> Site designation (Scheduling record). SDO20566.

<14> Jarvis, Keith, 1993, The Studland Bay wreck : a Spanish shipwreck off the Dorset coast (Article in serial). SWX912.

<15> Hinchcliffe, J and V, 1999, Dive Dorset: a diver guide (3rd Edition), 273 (Monograph). SWX1.

<16> Le Pard, G, 1995-2003, Dorset Coast Forum Maritime Archaeological Database, Shipwreck 92 (Digital archive). SWX8707.

<17> Hamilton, D, and Tyers, I, 2011, Studland Bay Wreck, nr Poole Harbour, Dorset. Dendrochronological and radiocarbon analysis of a ship timber (Unpublished document). SDO14900.

<18> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1082101 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Apr 8 2024 1:46PM