Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Shipwreck Blog: HMS London

I blogged about HMS London here.

Here is a follow-up story.

THE wreckage of a 17th century warship, which lies off the Southend coast, has been given official protection.

Culture Secretary Barbara Follett has officially designated the wreck of HMS London.

This bans any interference with the wreck by drivers.

The move to designate the wreck was recommended by English Heritage, which feared the rediscovered warship would be plundered of valuable artefacts. HMS London blew-up and sank in the Thames Estuary in March 1665, as she was being brought up the river from Chatham, in Kent, killing more than 300 people.

Historians say the ship blew up accidentally, possibly as the gun crews reloaded old cartridge papers with gunpowder.

Wessex Archaeology and the Port of London Authority, which regulates the river, use 3D survey equipment to locate the wreck.

The site is off the coast of Southend, but its exact location will not be revealed.


Archaeologists. Once upon a time they wanted to bring artifacts to museums so that everyone could see them, now they just want them to rot, seen by no one.

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