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Summary

Site of one or more unidentified wrecks. Timber, cannon/guns and other artefacts located by sports divers during 1980-1990.

Location

Protected Status

• Protected Wreck 1000071: ERME ESTUARY

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX64NW/18

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• WRECK (XVI to XXI - 1501 AD to 2009 AD)

Full description

Untitled Source (Worksheet). SDV142691.

Risdon, T., 1811 reprint, Choreographical Description or Survey of the County of Devon, 183 (Monograph). SDV20653.

A ship was wrecked here on 13th January 1632.

Elliot, E. A. S., 1908-1909, Historic Wrecks in Bigbury and Start Bays, 153 (Article in Serial). SDV142678.

During reign of Henry VII, two ships belonging to King Philip of Spain were driven ashore at the mouth of the Erme.

SWNAS, 1982, Erme Estuary Wreck Site: Predisturbance Survey (Un-published). SDV142693.

Dean, M., 1990, Letter from Archaeological Diving Unit (Correspondence). SDV142676.

Identified by finders as the wreck of a c16 spanish vessel. While some of the material could be 16th century some, particularly cast iron guns, is likely to be 18th century.

1991, D of E Acts on Devon Wreck (Article in Serial). SDV349338.

An emergency historic wreck designation by the Department of Environment covers part of the Erme Estuary in South Devon. The order came into force on May 3rd and protects an area of 250 metres radius.

George, S. J., 1991, Investigations in Bigbury Bay, Dorset, 2-4 (Article in Serial). SDV142675.

Site of one or more unidentified wrecks. Timber, cannon/guns and other artefacts located by sports divers during 1980-1990.

SWMAG, 1991, Site Survey Report (Article in Monograph). SDV142702.

Anonymous, 1991, Untitled Source (Article in Serial). SDV142698.

Anonymous, 1991, Untitled Source (Article in Serial). SDV142699.

Palmer, M. G., 1991, Untitled Source (Correspondence). SDV142677.

Site of 2 16th century wrecks, possibly both wrecked 1605, although there was a further substantial loss in 1625. Finds include early 16th century swivel guns, 16th/17th century anchor of Spanish design, pulley block of 16th century type.

Department of Environment, 1991, Untitled Source (Schedule Document). SDV339451.

Bowman, A. C., 1992, Note, 165 (Article in Serial). SDV167088.

Four cannon, one swivel gun, anchor of wooden stock design, iron hook and incendiary shot found during 1991 season.

Oldham, N., 1992, Telephone conversation with A.M.Dick (Personal Comment). SDV142681.

Lies at the foot of beach slope on a flat plain of sand. Of the 5 guns raised, one, dated circa 1500 contained 8 1/2 pounds of flint shot (provenance analysis inconclusive). Others dated circa 1506 (on pictorial evidence) and 1700. All wood is in perfect condition. Since designation this site has been subject to considerable unlicensed diving. Licensees (N. Oldham + J. Tyler) intend partial excavation and expansion of survey during 1992.

Mcdonald, K., 1993, Devon's Bronze-Age Tin, 26-8 (Article in Serial). SDV142694.

Oldham, N. + Palmer, M. + Tyson, J., 1993, The Erme Estuary, Devon. Historic Wreck Site, 1991-3, 323-330 (Article in Serial). SDV142696.

SWMAG, 1993-1997, Site Survey Report (Article in Monograph). SDV142684.

Erme estuary site of two wrecks dating to 1506 + 1632 shown as NGR SX611-467- to the N of East Mary's Rock. Artefacts recovered, include 2 swivel guns dated 1450, a finbanker 12lb cannon of 1680-1715, a pulley block of 14th-15th century, an anchor + a tiller rope.

Oldham, N., 1994, Telephone conversation with A.M.Dick (Personal Comment). SDV142683.

8 cannon, 2 anchors, 5 cannonballs recovered. Probably a 1632 wreck of Philip of Castile.

Mcdonald, K., 1994, The Case of the Puzzling Pestle, 41 (Article in Serial). SDV142697.

Dick, A. M., 1995, Untitled Source (Personal Comment). SDV142680.

NGR refers to central point of designated area of 250m radius.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 1996, Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites Annual Report, 34 (Report - non-specific). SDV358080.

Horner, W., 1996, DAP/SL 1,2, 1, 2 (Aerial Photograph). SDV142703.

Mcdonald, K., 2004, A Diver's Guide to the Shipwrecks of Bigbury Bay (Website). SDV321278.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds

• FDV66 - CANNON (Unknown date)
• FDV68 - CANNON BALL (Unknown date)
• FDV69 - HOOK (Unknown date)
• FDV70 - Gun (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• FDV62 - ANCHOR (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1750 AD)
• FDV71 - CANNON (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1750 AD)
• FDV63 - Gun (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1750 AD)
• FDV64 - Gun (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1750 AD)
• FDV65 - SHOT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1750 AD)

Associated Events: none recorded

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