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The frigate "Gloucester" could be clearly identified
Divers have discovered a legendary 17th century shipwreck off the English North Sea coast. The wreck is the royal warship "Gloucester", which sank in 1682. The University of East Anglia announced this historic find on Friday.
The history of the Gloucester is closely linked to the English throne: The Duke of York (1633-1701), later King James II, was on board and wanted to demonstrate his return to the center of English power with a huge military parade.
At the beginning of May 1682, the frigate "Gloucester", which as the most powerful ship in combat led a squadron of six warships and four royal yachts, set sail in the Thames estuary and headed north.
Scotland was the destination; here the ducal family still persevered in enforced exile. The return was to demonstrate to all Englishmen the regained role of the Yorks. For the duke was James Stuart, younger brother of King Charles II, and because the latter had not fathered any legitimate children, also his legitimate successor.
But the planned triumphal procession ended in disaster. On the morning of May 6, a storm drove the "Gloucester" onto a sandbank off Norfolk. At the last minute, Jacob and part of his high-ranking entourage, including John Churchill, later Duke of Marlborough, were able to escape from the ship. Along with the ducal entourage, another 130 to 150 passengers managed to save themselves. In total, there were probably about 200 victims in the accident. What would have happened if Jacob had also died in the sinking?
For this reason, the University of East Anglia (UEA) in Norwich was able to publish a real sensation: 340 years after the disaster, the wreck of the "Gloucester" could be clearly identified.
Spectacular finds
The divers, a private group led by brothers Julian and Lincoln Barnwell, had already found the wreck in 2007 after a four-year search at the bottom of the sea off the town of Great Yarmouth in the county of Norfolk.
However, the discovery of the wreck, which lies in international waters, was initially kept secret to protect it. It also took several years to identify the well-preserved remains as the wreck of the "Gloucester."
The shipwreck is split at the keel, the remains of the hull have sunk into the sand, and it is not known how much of it is still intact. There are no plans to salvage any part of the ship.
Launched in 1654 with 54 guns and 280 regular crew, the Gloucester is the only surviving third-rate warship from Cromwell's time. She took part in several battles and became part of the Royal Navy fleet after 1660, when King Charles II was restored to the throne.
In the Royal Navy's classification system, a third-rate ship was a ship of the line that had between 50 and 80 guns and was usually built with two gun decks (hence the related term "two-decker"). Years of experience showed that third-class ships represented the best compromise between sailing characteristics (speed, handling), firepower, and cost.
In addition to the ship's bell, divers have found clothing, shoes, navigation equipment, personal items, and unopened wine bottles. One of the wine bottles bears a glass seal with the Legge family crest - ancestors of George Washington, the first U.S. president.
Other finds include several cannons as well as vessels, cutlery and many other items. A pair of eyeglasses, still in their wooden case, is also among the many finds.
Archaeological sensation
According to experts, the find is an archaeological sensation. "The discovery promises to fundamentally change our understanding of social, maritime and political history," said Professor Claire Jowitt of the University of East Anglia. She said it is the most significant find in Britain since the 1982 lifting of Tudor King Henry VIII's ship the Mary Rose.
Finds from it are to be seen from the coming spring in an exhibition in the Norwich Castle Museum. The ship's bell, which was ultimately decisive for the identification of the "Gloucester," will also be exhibited.