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The UK Hydrographic office keeps details of
all recorded wrecks around the British Isles.
Admiralty charts list them. Figure 7 provides
an example. It shows a portion of Admiralty
Chart 1978. It indicates where the Resurgam
lies. It also indicates three other wrecks
within the three-mile search area of the Resurgam. |
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Fewer shipwrecks have occurred in the 20th century
due to modern technology, improved charting, and
alternative modes of transport. Inquiries into shipwrecks
modern and past show causes have not changed. “Ultimately
all accidents can be attributed to the hand of man
or the hand of God” (King, 1995).
Closer to home even modern small
ships like the Nautilus can become part of
our shipwreck history. All these wrecks have
a story to tell. The Nautilus sank in the Menai
Straits in 1961—she used to belong to
the School of Ocean Sciences (Psalti, 2001).
Figure 8 shows a picture of the Nautilus during
a research trip. In modern times at least we
can attempt to manage, preserve and protect
our history. |
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When considering the management of wrecks the role
of recreational divers should be considered. Recreational
divers and amateur diving clubs play an important
role in nautical archaeology. The Gwynedd branch
of BSAC has investigated many wreck remains. They
found the wreck Of the Missouri.
The Missouri sank in 1886 in
a snowstorm near Porth Dafach. Local BSAC groups
have carried out the location, survey and recording
of many Welsh wrecks. Some nautical archaeologists
fear the indiscriminate looting of sites by
clumsy and disrespectful divers. A number of
steps have been taken to encourage amateur
divers to foster a responsible attitude. A
Code of Conduct has been issued by BSAC. Dive
groups are aiding in scientific research. |
|
Dive guides like Underwater Guide to North
Wales (Holden, 2003) give detailed information
on wrecks—to help recreational divers
gain understanding of a wreck. Associations
such as the Nautical Archaeological Society
encourage divers to take training courses and
adopt wreck sites. |
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English Heritage are keen to realise the full potential
of sites as learning resources; to make historic
environments accessible; to sustain and protect the
historic environment for our future and to ensure
that the historic environments importance as an economic
asset is harnessed (Trow, 2002). Maritime archaeologists
are working towards a better understanding of environmental
conditions and site interactions (Wheeler, 2002).
This is fundamental to the management of sites.
In many overseas countries, shipwreck management
is based on a high level of marine environmental
knowledge. But in the UK, very few sites have been “investigated
or assessed by a competent archaeological authority
in terms of their preservation and susceptibility
to impacts” (Oxley, 2002). This is tragic,
and unnecessary. Wrecks are part of the nation’s
heritage. They tell us what our ancestors did, and
warn us of future dangers. Areas such as the Menai
Straits that have seen a lot of maritime activity
from the Invasion of Anglesey by the Romans; the
defeat of the English Navy by the Prince of Wales—Owain
Gwynedd—in 1157; the Abermenai ferry and the
Nautilus are part of the history of this area. We
need to study their wrecks, and to honour the people
who gave their lives in them to the service of others.
The cost of effective management is accountable.
The cost of failure to manage these sites is priceless.
References
Bennett, T., 1987. Shipwrecks around Wales. Happy
Fish, Newport, Wales.
Bennett, T., 1992. Shipwrecks around Wales. Happy
Fish, Newport, Wales.
Dean, M., 1997. Extract from the SUBMAP Site Survey
Report. 3H Consulting Ltd 1997.
Dean, M., 2005. Personal Correspondence re Resurgam
Survey. In: O'Donnell, T. (Ed.).
Eames, A., 1973. Ships and Seamen of Anglesey. The
Anglesey Antiquarian Society, Denbigh.
Holden, C., 2003. Underwater Guide to North Wales.
Calgo Publications, Chester.
Jones, C., 1978. The Pwll Fanog wreck - a slate
cargo in the Menai Strait. The International Journal
of Nautical Archaeology. 7, 152-158.
Jones, C., 1978. Marine archaeology in the UK. A
pattern of development. IPC Business Press.
Jones, I.W., 1973. Shipwrecks of North Wales. David & Charles,
London.
King, J., 1995. An Inqury into the causes of shipwrecks:
its implications for the prevention of pollution.
Marine Policy 19, 469-475.
Oxley, I., 2002. Scapa Flow and the protection and
management of Scotland's historic military shipwrecks.
Antiquity 76, 862-868.
Psalti, I.S.M., 2001. Across The Bridge. Gomer Press,
Ceredigion.
Rees, S.E., 2005. Maritime and Intertidal Archaeology.
CADW: Welsh Historic Monuments. National Assembly
for Wales, Cardiff, pp. 8.
Roberts, O.T.P., 2002. Accident not intention: Llyn
Cerrig Bach, Isle of Anglesy, Wales - site of an
Iron Age shipwreck. The International Journal of
Nautical Archaeology. 31, 25-38.
Skidmore, I., 1979. Anglesey and Lleyn Shipwrecks.
Salesbury Press, Swansea.
Trow, S., 2002. Taking to the Water: English Heritage's
Initial Policy for The Management of Maritime Archaeology
in England. English Heritage.
Wheeler, A.J., 2002. Environmental Controls on Shipwreck
Preservation. Journal of Archaeological Science 29,
1149-1159.
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