Bligh
03-27-2012, 02:09
Slightly off period, but may be of interest.
Rob.
HMS Victory Project OverviewOne of the world's greatest maritime mysteries was solved when Odyssey Marine Exploration discovered the shipwreck of HMS Victory, lost in 1744 under the command of Admiral Sir John Balchin. The direct predecessor and inspiration behind Nelson's flagship, Balchin's Victory was the mightiest and most technically advanced vessel of her age. She was lost during a storm with all hands and was the last Royal Navy warship to be lost at sea with a complete complement of bronze cannon. Two of the greatest admirals in English history, Sir John Norris and Sir John Balchin called her their flagship. Research indicates that Balchin's Victory sank with a substantial amount of specie aboard.
Odyssey discovered the site nearly 100 km from where the ship was historically believed to have been wrecked on a reef near the Channel Islands. In an operation conducted in cooperation with the MOD, Odyssey has completed an archaeological pre-disturbance survey of the site, conducted limited test trenching, and recovered two bronze cannon to confirm the identity of the shipwreck. The cannon recovered include a 12-pounder featuring the royal arms of George II and a 4-ton, 42-pounder bearing the crest of George I. The huge 42-pounder recovered is the only known example of a gun of this type and size currently in existence on dry land. On September 18, 2009, Odyssey announced it reached an agreement with the UK Government (http://sailsofglory.org/pr189.php) on a salvage award for the cannon recovered from the site.
For more information about the preliminary survey and identification of the site, read Neil Cunningham Dobson's and Dr. Sean Kingsley's archaeological paper, HMS Victory, a First-Rate Royal Navy Warship Lost in the English Channel, 1744. Preliminary Survey & Identification (2009) (http://sailsofglory.org/pdf/OMEPapers2-HMS_Victory.pdf). (http://sailsofglory.org/pdf/OMEPapers2-HMS_Victory.pdf)
During these operations and on subsequent monitoring visits to the site, evidence was discovered of substantial damage to the site from natural deterioration, scouring, extensive fishing trawl net damage and the intrusion of modern trash and debris. Read more in Dr. Sean Kingsley's archaeological paper, Deep-Sea Fishing Impacts on the Shipwreck of the English Channel & Western Approaches (http://sailsofglory.org/pdf/OMEPapers4Final_000.pdf) (2009). (http://sailsofglory.org/pdf/OMEPapers4Final_000.pdf)
In January 2012, following a period of consultation, the UK Ministry of Defence and the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport transferred future management responsibility of HMS Victory (1744) to the Maritime Heritage Foundation, a charity established to locate shipwrecks, investigate, recover and preserve artifacts to the highest archaeological standards and to promote knowledge and understanding of Britain’s maritime heritage. In February 2012, the Maritime Heritage Foundation reached an agreement with Odyssey Marine Exploration (http://sailsofglory.org/pr240.php) for the financing, archaeological survey and excavation, conservation and exhibit of HMS Victory and artifacts from the shipwreck site.
Rob.
HMS Victory Project OverviewOne of the world's greatest maritime mysteries was solved when Odyssey Marine Exploration discovered the shipwreck of HMS Victory, lost in 1744 under the command of Admiral Sir John Balchin. The direct predecessor and inspiration behind Nelson's flagship, Balchin's Victory was the mightiest and most technically advanced vessel of her age. She was lost during a storm with all hands and was the last Royal Navy warship to be lost at sea with a complete complement of bronze cannon. Two of the greatest admirals in English history, Sir John Norris and Sir John Balchin called her their flagship. Research indicates that Balchin's Victory sank with a substantial amount of specie aboard.
Odyssey discovered the site nearly 100 km from where the ship was historically believed to have been wrecked on a reef near the Channel Islands. In an operation conducted in cooperation with the MOD, Odyssey has completed an archaeological pre-disturbance survey of the site, conducted limited test trenching, and recovered two bronze cannon to confirm the identity of the shipwreck. The cannon recovered include a 12-pounder featuring the royal arms of George II and a 4-ton, 42-pounder bearing the crest of George I. The huge 42-pounder recovered is the only known example of a gun of this type and size currently in existence on dry land. On September 18, 2009, Odyssey announced it reached an agreement with the UK Government (http://sailsofglory.org/pr189.php) on a salvage award for the cannon recovered from the site.
For more information about the preliminary survey and identification of the site, read Neil Cunningham Dobson's and Dr. Sean Kingsley's archaeological paper, HMS Victory, a First-Rate Royal Navy Warship Lost in the English Channel, 1744. Preliminary Survey & Identification (2009) (http://sailsofglory.org/pdf/OMEPapers2-HMS_Victory.pdf). (http://sailsofglory.org/pdf/OMEPapers2-HMS_Victory.pdf)
During these operations and on subsequent monitoring visits to the site, evidence was discovered of substantial damage to the site from natural deterioration, scouring, extensive fishing trawl net damage and the intrusion of modern trash and debris. Read more in Dr. Sean Kingsley's archaeological paper, Deep-Sea Fishing Impacts on the Shipwreck of the English Channel & Western Approaches (http://sailsofglory.org/pdf/OMEPapers4Final_000.pdf) (2009). (http://sailsofglory.org/pdf/OMEPapers4Final_000.pdf)
In January 2012, following a period of consultation, the UK Ministry of Defence and the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport transferred future management responsibility of HMS Victory (1744) to the Maritime Heritage Foundation, a charity established to locate shipwrecks, investigate, recover and preserve artifacts to the highest archaeological standards and to promote knowledge and understanding of Britain’s maritime heritage. In February 2012, the Maritime Heritage Foundation reached an agreement with Odyssey Marine Exploration (http://sailsofglory.org/pr240.php) for the financing, archaeological survey and excavation, conservation and exhibit of HMS Victory and artifacts from the shipwreck site.